Evaluation of the Rate of Heavy Metal Absorptions by Typha Capensis and Heliconia Psittacorum

Abstract

The evaluation of the rate of heavy metal absorption by aquatic plants; Typha capensis and Heliconia psittacorum was carried out for the removal of Hg, As, Cd and Pb from water and soil. Uptake of Hg, As, Cd and Pb by these aquatic plant species in metal contaminated water and soil were studied in batch culture experiment. The plants were irrigated with standard heavy metal simulated solutions. After 10, 20, 30 and 40 days, plant samples were subjected to analysis by Inductive Coupled Plasma-mass Spectroscopy (Agilent 7700x series ICP-MS developed for complex matrix analysis). The rate of the heavy metal uptake by the T. capensis far exceeded that of the H. psittacorum in both the roots and shoots. Arsenic, cadmium and mercury showed considerable uptake by both macrophytes in the shoots than that of the roots; indicating the high absorption capacities of the three metals by the macrophytes. It was evident that arsenic, cadmium and mercury exhibited systematic rate of absorption by the plants and their rate of absorption by the plant over the period is very significant.