Selenite (IV) and selenate (VI) uptake and accumulation capacity of Lemna minor L. from an aquatic medium

ABSTRACT

The uptake of sodium selenite (Se(IV)) and sodium selenate (Se(VI)) from aqueous medium by Lemna minor L. and the influence of different Se concentrations on its growth, morphological and ultrastructural characteristics were studied. L. minor was grown at different concentrations (1, 3, 5 and 10 mg L⁻¹) of Se(IV) and Se(IV). The Se(IV) concentration in the plant tissue ranged between 77.7 (± 4.3) to 453 (± 0) mg kg⁻¹ DW. The Se(VI) concentration in plant tissues ranged between 117 (± 11) to 417 (± 2) mg kg⁻¹ DW. The highest bioconcentration factor for Se(VI) was 127 (± 7) at 3 mg/L, with a Se removal efficiency of 44%. For Se(IV), the highest bioconcentration factor was 77.7 (± 4.3) at 1 mg L⁻¹, which had a Se removal efficiency of 23%. Growth of L. minor was suppressed at 10 mg L⁻¹ Se in both forms. The addition of Se promoted the formation of starch granules in L. minor which occupied a chloroplast area of 74% for Se(IV) and 77% for Se(VI). The efficient uptake of both Se forms by L. minor indicates the potential application of this species for phytoremediation of Se laden wastewaters and its use as an alternative feedstock in biofuel production.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• Phytoremediation
• Selenium
• Lemna minor
• Duckweed

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This publication has emanated from research supported by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) through the SFI Research Professorship Programme entitled Innovative Energy Technologies for Biofuels, Bioenergy and a Sustainable Irish Bioeconomy (IETSBIO³; grant number 15/RP/2763) and the Research Infrastructure research grant Platform for Biofuel Analysis (Grant Number 16/RI/3401).