Title: Effects of environmental conditions on the phosphorus distribution of constructed duckweed (Lemna minor) microcosm

Authors: Wenhua Hou, Xiao Chen, Guanling Song, Qunhui Wang, Wei Meng

Addresses: Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China; Chinese Research Academy of Environment Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China. ' Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China. ' Department of Life Science, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255049, China. ' Department of Environmental Engineering, Beijing University of Science and Technology, Beijing 100083, China. ' Chinese Research Academy of Environment Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China

Abstract: The restoration of eutrophicated lakes using duckweed plants (Lemna minor) is recognised as a potentially low-cost method. In this study, the effects of environmental conditions on phosphorus (P) distribution were investigated in constructed duckweed microcosms by means of ³²P isotope labelling; ³²P activities in microcosms were monitored to determine P distribution activities. Results indicated that high phosphate, low ammonium concentrations, moderate pH values, and higher environmental temperatures promoted duckweed growth and favoured mobile P release from sediments. Under comfortable conditions, restoration of eutrophic lakes by means of duckweed could, to some extent, reduce internal P loads of lake sediments.

Keywords: constructed duckweed microcosm; phosphorus distribution; lake sediment; phosphate; ammonium; pH values; temperature; eutrophicated lakes; lake restoration; Lemna minor; environmental pollution; water pollution.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2009.025114

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2009 Vol.37 No.2/3, pp.150 - 165

Published online: 13 May 2009 *

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