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Uptake and distribution of metals by water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes L.)

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Abstract

Background, aim and scope

Water quality impairment by heavy metal contamination is on the rise worldwide. Phytoremediation technology has been increasingly applied to remediate wastewater and stormwater polluted by heavy metals.

Materials and methods

Laboratory analysis and field trials were conducted to evaluate the uptake of metals (Al, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, and Zn) by an aquatic plant, water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes L.), and metal distribution in the plant.

Results

The growth of water lettuce reduced Al, Fe, and Mn concentrations in water by >20%, K and Cu by >10%, and Ca, Mg, Zn, and Na to a lesser extent. A larger proportion of Ca, Cd, Co, Fe, Mg, Mn, and Zn was adsorbed or deposited on the external root surfaces while more Al, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Pb were absorbed and accumulated within the roots.

Discussion

Water lettuce has a great ability in concentrating metals from its surrounding water with a concentration factor (CF) ≥102. The bio-concentration factor (BCF), which excludes the part on the root surfaces, is a more appropriate index than the CF for the differentiation of hyperaccumulation, accumulation, or non-accumulation plants for metals.

Conclusions

Water lettuce is a hyperaccumulator for Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn and can be applied for the remediation of surface waters.

Recommendations and perspectives

Further study on the bioavailability of metals in the water lettuce is needed for the beneficial use of metal-enriched plant biomass.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Mr. Diangao Zhang for his assistance in water sampling and processing, and thank Drs. G.C. Chen, J.Y. Yang, Y.G. Yang, Y.B. Wang, and W.R. Chen, Mr. D. Banks and Mr. B. Pereira for their help in lab analysis. This project was, in part, supported by a grant (Contract# 4600000498) from South Florida Water Management District.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Indian River Research and Education Center, University of Florida, 2199 S Rock Rd, Fort Pierce, FL, 34945, USA

    Qin Lu, Zhenli L. He & Peter J. Stoffella

  2. Soil and Water Science Department, University of Florida, 210 Newell Hall, PO Box 110510, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA

    Donald A. Graetz

  3. Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Ecological Health, College of Natural Resource and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang University, Huajiachi Campus, Hangzhou, 310029, People’s Republic of China

    Xiaoe Yang

Authors
  1. Qin Lu
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  2. Zhenli L. He
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  3. Donald A. Graetz
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  4. Peter J. Stoffella
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  5. Xiaoe Yang
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Zhenli L. He.

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Responsible editor: Elena Maestri

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Lu, Q., He, Z.L., Graetz, D.A. et al. Uptake and distribution of metals by water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes L.). Environ Sci Pollut Res 18, 978–986 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-011-0453-0

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