A Hydroponic Study of Heavy Metal Uptake by Selected Marsh Plant Species.
Abstract
Eight marsh plants were grown in chemically controlled hydroponic solutions containing three concentrations of heavy metals to evluate the ability of each plant species to take up and accumulate heavy metals. The marsh plants studies were Cyperus esculentus, Scirpus validus, Spartina patens, Scirpus robustus, Distichlis spicata, Triglochin maritima, Spartina alterniflora, and Spartina foliosa. The heavy metals studied were zinc, cadmium, nickel, lead, and chromium, each at a concentration of 0.0, 0.5, and 1.0 ppm. Marsh plants were exposed to heavy metals for six weeks and harvested. Plants were separated into tops, lower stems, rhizomes, tubers, and roots and analyzed for heavy metals to locate plant parts where heavy metals may accumlate. Exposure to heavy metals adversely affected the growth of S. validus, S. patens, D. spicata, and S. alterniflora more than the other plant species evaluated. The species that appeared to have more potential in taking up zinc, cadmium, and nickel were C. esculentus, S. patens, D. spicata, and to some extent S. alterniflora. Lead and chromium accumulated in the roots of all species with very little translocation into plant tops. Phosphorus and iron content in the roots appeared to be a major factor in determining the ability of a marsh plant to translocate heavy metals from the roots into other plant parts.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1976
- Accession Number
- ADA033224
Entities
People
- Charles R. Lee
- Mary C. Landin
- Thomas C. Sturgis