Trace elements removal ability and antioxidant activity of Phragmites australis (from Algeria)

In this study, roots, stems and leaves of the worldwide distributed macrophyte Phragmites australis (common reed) were tested as potential removal and biomonitors of trace elements contamination in sediment. In particular, the concentrations (100, 200, and 500 mg/kg) of the following elements were analyzed: Zn, Cu, Pb, and Fe. Results showed that the amount of concentrations in plant tissues is significantly (p ≤ 0.01) dependent on the kind of organ and element. Trace element concentrations decreased according to the pattern of Fe^a (Roots^a > Stems^b > Leaves^b) > Zn^b (Root^a > Leaves^b > Stems^c) > Cu^c (Roots^a > Leaves^b > Stems^c) > Pb^c (Roots^a > Stems^b > Leaves^c), as well as the roots acted as the main centers of bioaccumulation for all elements studied, and stems as the transit organs for translocation from roots to leaves. The major mechanisms employed by the plant were probably phytostabilization on the basis of the calculated Biological Concentration Factor (BCF - metal concentration ratio of plant root to soil); and Translocation Factor (TF - metal concentration ratio of plants roots to above ground part). Finally, due to the low scavenger effect of the radical DPPH, we excluded the hypothesis of the use of antioxidant mechanism in the tolerance of metals.