Performance of Persicaria amphibia (L.) for Phytoremediation of Heavy Metals Contaminated Water

Fast-paced global industrialization due to population growth poses negative water implications, such as pollution by heavy metals. Phytoremediation is deemed as an efficient and environmentally friendly alternative which utilizes different types of hyperaccumulator plants known as macrophytes for the removal of heavy metal pollutants from contaminated water. In this study, the removal of Cu(II), Ni(II), Pb(II), and Cd(II) heavy metal ions contaminated water was studied by using an aquatic plant, Persicaria amphibia (L.) collected from Ladik Lake, Samsun, Turkiye. The experiments were carried out hydroponically in the laboratory conditions. Synthetic heavy metals contaminated water (5, 10, 25, 50, 100 mg kg^- 1), and domestic and industrial water were used in the experiments. The domestic and industrial water samples were taken from Aksu and Batlama streams in Giresun province. All physical plant changes were noted, and pH, conductivity, and dissolved oxygen levels of the hydroponic system were measured regularly during the experiments. In order to determine the effects of heavy metals on the plant, the chlorophyll (a, b and total) and carotenoid contents as well as the biomass of the plant, were measured. According to the phytoremediation experiments the amounts of accumulated heavy metals in plants were found as Cd(II) > Ni(II) > Cu(II) > Pb(II) in single systems and as Cd(II) > Ni(II) > Pb(II) > Cu(II) in competitive systems. The maximum amounts of heavy metals accumulated in plants were determined as 171 ± 9 mg kg-1 for Cd(II), 143 ± 7 mg kg-1 for Ni(II), 134 ± 8 mg kg-1 for Cu(II) and 55 ± 4 mg kg-1 for Pb(II). In addition, bioconcentration factor (BCF) values ​​were calculated to make comparisons with the phytoextraction potential of the plant. This study emphasizes the importance of P. amphibia with high bioaccumulation potential for phytoremediation and suggests that it could be employed to restore water in heavy metal-contaminated areas.