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Article

Meta-Analysis of the Copper, Zinc, and Cadmium Absorption Capacities of Aquatic Plants in Heavy Metal-Polluted Water

College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
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Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Academic Editors: Rao Bhamidiammarri and Kiran Tota-Maharaj
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2015, 12(12), 14958-14973; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph121214959
Received: 12 September 2015 / Revised: 19 November 2015 / Accepted: 19 November 2015 / Published: 26 November 2015
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Systems Engineering)
The use of aquatic plants for phytoremediation is an important method for restoring polluted ecosystems. We sought to analyze the capacity of different aquatic plant species to absorb heavy metals and to summarize available relevant scientific data on this topic. We present a meta-analysis of Cu, Zn, and Cd absorption capacities of aquatic plants to provide a scientific basis for the selection of aquatic plants suitable for remediation of heavy-metal pollution. Plants from the Gramineae, Pontederiaceae, Ceratophyllaceae, Typhaceae and Haloragaceae showed relatively strong abilities to absorb these metals. The ability of a particular plant species to absorb a given metal was strongly correlated with its ability to absorb the other metals. However, the absorption abilities varied with the plant organ, with the following trend: roots > stems > leaves. The pH of the water and the life habits of aquatic plants (submerged and emerged) also affect the plant’s ability to absorb elements. Acidic water aids the uptake of heavy metals by plants. The correlation observed between element concentrations in plants with different aquatic life habits suggested that the enrichment mechanism is related to the surface area of the plant exposed to water. We argue that this meta-analysis would aid the selection of aquatic plants suitable for heavy-metal absorption from polluted waters. View Full-Text
Keywords: phytoremediation; meta-analysis; heavy metals; aquatic plants; cadmium metal absorption; copper metal absorption; zinc metal absorption phytoremediation; meta-analysis; heavy metals; aquatic plants; cadmium metal absorption; copper metal absorption; zinc metal absorption
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MDPI and ACS Style

Li, J.; Yu, H.; Luan, Y. Meta-Analysis of the Copper, Zinc, and Cadmium Absorption Capacities of Aquatic Plants in Heavy Metal-Polluted Water. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2015, 12, 14958-14973. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph121214959

AMA Style

Li J, Yu H, Luan Y. Meta-Analysis of the Copper, Zinc, and Cadmium Absorption Capacities of Aquatic Plants in Heavy Metal-Polluted Water. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2015; 12(12):14958-14973. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph121214959

Chicago/Turabian Style

Li, Jing, Haixin Yu, and Yaning Luan. 2015. "Meta-Analysis of the Copper, Zinc, and Cadmium Absorption Capacities of Aquatic Plants in Heavy Metal-Polluted Water" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 12, no. 12: 14958-14973. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph121214959

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