Potential metal phytoremediation in peri-urban wetlands using rooted macrophytes

Abstract

The pollution of natural water bodies and peri-urban wetlands is frequent in the Middle Paraná River (Argentina). This work evaluates the potential use of different rooted macrophytes for metal phytoremediation in peri-urban wetlands. Macrophytes, water and sediment were collected in the study sites. Cr, Ni, Zn, Pb, total phosphorus (TP) and total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) were determined in water, sediment, and different plant tissues. Industrial Park and RECU (water dump) showed the highest Cr concentrations. The highest Ni water concentration was observed in Rincón. Industrial Park showed the highest Zn water concentration. The highest Pb water concentration was observed in Industrial Park followed by Rincón. The highest Cr and Zn concentrations in sediment were registered in Industrial Park and Leyes (lake). The sites that showed the highest Ni concentrations in sediment were Industrial Park, RECU (water dump), and Leyes (lake). The high TP concentration measured in the sediment of RECU (water dump) was quite remarkable. Regarding plant tissues, the roots of Pontederia rotundifolia (Leyes, lake). showed the highest Pb concentration. Typha domingensis showed the highest concentrations of Cr, Ni and Zn, in agreement with the highest concentration in sediment. Plants presenting high biomass, such as T. domingensis, are needed to obtain an efficient metal removal from water in peri-urban wetlands. Studies focused on different rooted species will extend the knowledge about metal phytoremediation, management of peri-urban wetlands that receive pollution, and the use of treatment wetlands as nature-based solutions.