Title: Heavy metal uptake, its effects on plant biochemistry of wetland (constructed) macrophytes and potential application of the used biomass

Authors: S. Dipu; V. Salom Gnana Thanga

Addresses: Department of Environmental Science, University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, PIN-695581, Kerala, India ' Department of Environmental Science, University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, PIN-695581, Kerala, India

Abstract: Heavy metal pollution in soil and water is becoming a serious problem for agriculture and health. Many plant species have developed some physiological mechanisms that allow their survival in such environments. Here, comparative analysis on absorption of heavy metals and the biochemical changes in aquatic macrophytes like Typha sp. and Pistia sp. were done. The study reveals that the absorption of heavy metals was high in the emergent plant than the floating macrophytes. Different plant enzymes played an important role in withstanding adverse conditions due to the presence of heavy metals. The macrophytes used for the study were utilised for biogas production.

Keywords: heavy metals; constructed wetlands; aquatic macrophytes; wastewater treatment; hyper accumulators; plant biochemistry; biomass; environmental pollution; water pollution; absorption; plant enzymes; biogas production.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEE.2014.057831

International Journal of Environmental Engineering, 2014 Vol.6 No.1, pp.43 - 54

Received: 01 Apr 2009
Accepted: 21 Mar 2010

Published online: 30 May 2014 *

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