Phytoremediation applications in natural condition and in mesocosm: The uptake of cadmium by Lemna minuta Kunth, a non-native species in Italian watercourses

ABSTRACT

Metal pollution in water and soil is an environmental and public health issue. Cadmium (Cd) is included in the list of priority hazardous substances in the European Water Framework Directive. Phytoremediation system is a cost-effective, plant-based approach that takes advantage of the ability of plants to concentrate elements and compounds from the environment and to metabolize various molecules in their tissues. We studied the presence and the importance of an invasive species, such as Lemna minuta, in the environment and the effects of Cd pollution on this species. Growth, removal, and tolerance were evaluated for different Cd concentrations and different times of plant exposure. Overall, the results show that L. minuta has a good capacity of growth, metal bioconcentration, and tolerance up to 3 days of exposure at 0.5 and 1.5 mg L⁻¹ of Cd. In particular, L. minuta was able to accumulate Cd up to 3771 mg kg⁻¹ on dry mass basis. We can conclude that L. minuta possesses a great capability of Cd absorption and accumulation, thus supporting a potential use of this species in designing a metal bioremediation system in phytoremediation field.

KEYWORDS:

• Lemna minuta
• cadmium
• tolerance index
• growth rate
• phytoremediation

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to express gratitude to Patrizio Pezzotti for assistance in statistical analysis and the staff of Environmental Quality and Fishfarm Unit and Laboratory of Functional Ecology and Ecosystem Services for technical assistance.