Bioaccumulation of 65Zn2+ ions by some hydrophytic plants

This paper deals with a study on the retention of radioactive ions 65Zn2+ from diluted waste solutions by the hydrophytic plants Lemna minor, Elodea canadensis, Pistia stratiotes and Riccia fluitans. The bioaccumulation degree decreases in the following order: Riccia fluitans approximately Pistia stratiotes > or = Lemna minor > Elodea canadensis The possibility to improve the bioaccumulation degree varying the temperature and the solution pH, in the absence of other cations, has been studied. The thin layer radiochromatography method has been used and it proved that the saccharides and lipids are the biochemical fractions responsible for the 65Zn2+ retention.