Search Results (56)

Phytoremediation is considered as a green alternative for remediating metal-contaminated soil and water, yet further efforts are needed to minimise secondary pollution after phytoremediation. This study investigates a cost-effective and sustainable method to synthesise carbon quantum dot supported on zinc oxide (CQD-ZnO) composites using extracted zinc (Zn) from post-phytoremediated plants, plant extracts, and CQDs derived from water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) for the sonocatalytic degradation of malachite green. The CQD-ZnO materials were characterised by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface analysis, and ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy to confirm their crystalline structure, morphology, functional groups, surface area, and optical properties. The composites exhibited disaggregation of agglomerates, high crystallinity, and increased carbon content due to the addition of CQDs containing phenolic functional groups (e.g., polyphenols, flavonoids) from the plant extract. The highest sonocatalytic degradation efficiency (84.52%) was achieved after 90 min of treating 10 ppm malachite green using 1 g/L of the CQD-ZnO composite at a natural pH, with 300 W ultrasonic power at 25 kHz. This study paves the way for the development of environmentally friendly, high-performance sonocatalysts from post-phytoremediated plants for wastewater treatment applications. Full article

Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is one of the most invasive plants around the world. In the state of Hidalgo, Mexico it has invaded several water bodies. Nevertheless, its management is an ongoing challenge because of its rapid growth and the expensiveness of its removal. Therefore, alternatives to valorize its biomass are needed. One of them is the production of optical materials from it. Past reports have demonstrated the viability to obtain fluorophores from lignin and that it is present in E. crassipes biomass. Nevertheless, most works focus on its extraction using harsh process conditions and strong acids or alkalis. No reports about the use of E. crassipes in such processes exist. As the demand for more environmentally friendly processes increases, avoidance of such chemicals is needed. Therefore, in this work the extraction of fluorophores directly from biomass of E. crassipes via a hydrothermal process using water as the sole solvent and catalyzer was studied. The liquid to solid ratio (LSR) varied from 25 to 50 and time from 8 to 16 h. Biomass was almost completely dissolved. Fluorophores with different photoluminescent emissions were obtained. Their extraction was confirmed by photoluminescence spectroscopy. The emission of the obtained materials could be tuned by changing processing time and LSR. Full article

Environmental dissemination of antibiotics is a pressing global challenge, driving ecological imbalances and the proliferation of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Conventional treatment technologies often fail to fully eliminate these micropollutants or are cost-prohibitive for widespread use. In this context, phytoremediation—using plants and their associated microbiota to remove, transform, or immobilize contaminants—has emerged as an effective and promising, low-impact, and nature-based approach for mitigating antibiotic pollution in aquatic and terrestrial environments. This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of the physiological, biochemical, and ecological mechanisms by which plants interact with antibiotics, including phytoextraction, phytodegradation, rhizodegradation, and phytostabilization. This review prioritizes phytoremediation goals, with attention to high-performing aquatic (e.g., Lemna minor, Eichhornia crassipes, Phragmites australis) and terrestrial plants (e.g., Brassica juncea, Zea mays) and their ability to remediate major classes of antibiotics. This study highlights the role of rhizosphere microbes and engineered systems in phytoremediation, while noting challenges such as variable efficiency, phytotoxicity risks, limited knowledge of by-products, and environmental concerns with antibiotic degradation. Future perspectives include the integration of genetic engineering, microbiome optimization, and smart monitoring technologies to enhance system performance and scalability. Plant-based solutions thus represent a vital component of next-generation remediation strategies aimed at reducing antibiotic burdens in the environment and curbing the rise in antimicrobial resistance. Full article

Untreated tannery wastewater (UTW) poses unprecedented threats to the aquatic and irrigation systems due to severely limited pollution removal efficiency (RE %) by the limited capacity and design of wastewater treatment plants in developing countries. An exploitation of treatment wetlands (TWs) like floating treatment wetlands (FTWs) face hydraulic performance and survivability and establishment challenges of transplanted hydrophytes in the severely toxic UTW. Such challenges were overcome by designing a horizontal flow floating treatment wetland (HFFTW) and diluting UTW at 0, 25, 50, and 75 with harvested rainwater (HRW), viz. UTW:HRW (% v:v) for lowering phytotoxicity to the phytotolerance range of the tested hydrophytes, viz. Eichhornia crassipes (EC) and Pistia stratiotes (PS) in the HFFTW, i.e., EC-HFFTW and PS-HFFTW. Both hydrophytes showed heavy metals’ translocation factor being ≥1, i.e., and acted as excellent hyperaccumulators of heavy metals. The average metal RE (%) was 64 (Cr), 61 (Cd), 45 (Pb), 44 (Cu), and 50.1 (BOD) for E. crassipes, and 44 (Cr), 54 (Cd), 42.2 (Pb), 42 (Cu), and 40 (BOD) for P. stratiotes. Significant reductions in the organic pollution load witnessed by significant drops in BOD and COD made UTW a safer irrigation medium for Petunia hybrida while inducing an increase in the bioconcentration factor (BCF) of PS and EC. The study concluded that the designed HFFTW showed significantly greater RE (%) and yield of reclaimed water than conventional FTWs based on its hydraulic performance. The design HFFTW carries a field scale application capacity for improvising treatment efficiency of the combined effluent plant of KTWMA (Kasur Tannery Waste Management Agency), Kasur, Pakistan. Full article

Eichhornia crassipes, also known as water hyacinth, is a harmful aquatic weed that has spread globally, causing significant ecological and economic damage. Originating in the Amazon basin, it has spread to tropical and subtropical regions, obstructing water movement, limiting sunlight, and reducing oxygen levels. Control measures for E. crassipes include chemical, mechanical, and biological methods. Chemical controls are cost-effective but present environmental hazards, whereas mechanical removal is effective but expensive and labor-intensive. Lastly, biological control uses natural predators to reduce weeds. Despite its significant costs, E. crassipes has potential applications in bioenergy, biofertilizer production, and wastewater treatment. This review includes an overview of E. crassipes’ biology, reproductive strategies, socioeconomic impact, and management approaches, as well as an exploration of its potential benefits in Africa’s sub-Saharan region, especially South Africa. Full article

Invasive and native plants can coexist in the same ecosystem. Thus, the fallen leaves of invasive and native plants can be mixed, which can lead to co-decomposition. Invasive plants can create microenvironmental conditions conducive to their invasion process by influencing soil physicochemical properties, soil nutrient contents, and soil enzymatic activities through litter decomposition by released metabolites. Heavy metal contamination may affect the litter decomposition of invasive plants. This study was designed to elucidate the effects of the mono- and co-decomposition of the leaves of the invasive aquatic plant Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms (Common Water Hyacinth) and the native aquatic plant Nymphaea tetragona Georgi (Pygmy Water-Lily) on soil physicochemical properties, soil nutrient contents, and soil enzymatic activities under the mono- and co-contamination of Cu and Pb. This study was conducted over a six-month period using a polyethylene litter bag experiment. The type of heavy metals may be the most significant factor influencing the differences in the decomposition rate between E. crassipes and N. tetragona. The co-contamination of Cu and Pb increased the decomposition rate of the leaves of E. crassipes and the decomposition rate also increased as the invasion degree of E. crassipes increased relative to N. tetragona. The co-decomposition of the leaves of the two aquatic plants showed an antagonistic response under the mono-contamination of Pb and the control, but presented a synergistic response under the mono-contamination of Cu and the co-contamination of Cu and Pb, regardless of the invasion degree of E. crassipes. Soil enzymatic activities, especially the activities of polyphenol oxidase and cellulase, may be a significant factor influencing the litter decomposition of the two aquatic plants. Consequently, heavy metal contamination may affect the invasion process of E. crassipes with regard to the regulation of the released metabolites during the decomposition process, and this is specifically modulated by the type of heavy metals. Full article

Cellulose has been identified as a medium for heavy metal removal due to its high adsorption capacity in relation to these contaminants. Furthermore, cellulose is abundant and can be obtained in a practical and easy way. A notable example is E. crassipes biomass, which is abundant in wetlands and has not yet been efficiently and sustainably removed. Another biomass that has been used in heavy metal removal projects is bacterial cellulose. Generating this biomass in a laboratory setting is imperative, given its 100% cellulose composition, which ensures optimal adsorption capacities during the development of heavy metal adsorbent systems. Therefore, the objective of this project was to design biomass adsorbents that combine the properties of bacterial and E. crassipes cellulose for Cr(VI) removal. The rationale for combining these two materials is based on the premise that it will produce optimal results, a hypothesis supported by the documented efficiency of bacterial cellulose and the formidable resilience of E. crassipes biomass to elution processes. The second-order model and the Langmuir isotherm fit proved to be the most suitable, indicating that there an occurred interaction between the adsorption sites of these biomasses and Cr (VI). This suggests the presence of a significant number of active sites on the surface of these materials. The EC(50)+BC(50) biomass, with an adsorption capacity of 42 g of Cr(VI) per dollar, is the most cost-effective due to the low cost of E. crassipes and the high capacity of bacterial cellulose. It is a mixture that guarantees high adsorption capacities and facilitates up to seven reuse cycles through elutions with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). This finding emphasizes the potential of this material for implementation in environmental sustainability initiatives, particularly those focused on the removal of heavy metals, including Cr(VI). Full article

To examine the impact of antibiotic contamination on water quality and rhizospheric microbial communities, a simulated cultivation experiment was employed to investigate the potential impacts of tetracycline (Tet) stress on water quality and microbial community composition in the rhizosphere of Eichhornia crassipes (E. crassipes), with a focus on its implications for bioremediation strategies. The results showed a significant disruption in microbial diversity and community structure in the rhizosphere at varying accumulated Tet concentrations (0, 2, 5, and 10 mg·L⁻¹). The microbial communities displayed resilience and functional stability from the low (2 mg·L⁻¹) to moderate (5 mg·L⁻¹) accumulated Tet concentrations; while significant root decay and a marked decline in microbial diversity were observed at the high (10 mg·L⁻¹) accumulated Tet concentration. Some bacterial taxa, including Rhizobiaceae (0.34%), Comamonadaceae (0.37%), and Chitinophagaceae (0.38%), exhibited notable enrichment under Tet stress, underscoring their functional roles in nitrogen cycling, organic matter decomposition, and antibiotic degradation. Physicochemical changes in the rhizosphere, such as shifts in low-molecular-weight organic acids (LMWOAs), nutrient cycling, and total organic carbon (TOC), revealed Tet-induced metabolic adaptations and environmental alterations. Correlation analysis between environmental factors and dominant operational taxonomic units (OTUs) highlighted the putative intricate interplay between microbial activity and Tet stress. These findings underscore the dual impact of Tet as both a stressor and a selective agent, favoring antibiotic-resistant taxa while suppressing sensitive groups. This study provides foundational insights into the ecological and functional dynamics of microbial communities under antibiotic contamination conditions and highlights the potential of rhizospheric microbial communities in the rhizosphere for bioremediation in Tet-polluted ecosystems. Full article

In the context of critical water quality issues, there is a pressing need for more pragmatic approaches to water research. Adsorbent biomass, derived from abundant and effective natural sources, holds considerable promise as a solution. E. crassipes, a type of plant biomass, has emerged as a particularly promising material due to its high adsorption capacity. When combined with iron chloride, this capacity is significantly enhanced, and the addition of EDTA is essential for the reuse of treated water. The economic viability of this material in water treatment has been thoroughly evaluated, and the project was developed with the aim of building treatment systems using E. crassipes biomass in conjunction with iron chloride. The development process involved the creation of a special material composed of 85% dried and ground E. crassipes and 15% iron chloride. The process was scaled up with the most effective biomass for treatment and subsequent elutions with EDTA. The outlet conditions, the quantity of pollutant removed, and the treated volume were established, and subsequently the extraparticle diffusion constant Kf, the intraparticle diffusion constant, and the characteristic isotherm were determined. The identification of the intraparticle diffusion model, Ks, was made possible by the results of the model, which indicated the specific route for the construction of a pilot-scale treatment system. The pilot-scale prototype was constructed using 1000 g of EC (2) of biomass (850 g of E. crassipes and 150 g of chloride of iron). The prototype developed in the present investigation could be used to treat effluents contaminated with heavy metals, especially chromium, and is an advanced environmental research project that contributes to the improvement of water quality. Full article

In recent years, the impacts of climate change and human activities have intensified the loss and fragmentation of habitats for wild rare Magnoliaceae. Predicting the potential impacts of future climate change on the suitable habitat distribution of wild and endangered Magnoliaceae species is of great significance for their conservation and application. This study employs the optimized MaxEnt model to investigate current and future potential suitable habitats of three rare Magnoliaceae species (Michelia crassipes, Lirianthe coco, and Manglietia insignis). The dominant environmental variables influencing the distribution of three species were also explored. The results showed the following: (1) The potential habitat range of three Magnoliaceae species currently span from 92–122° N and 19–36° E. Variables associated with temperature (bio2, bio9, bio4) and altitude (Ele) significantly influence the distribution of these species, with precipitation (bio17) and ultraviolet radiation (UVB4) playing a minor role. The warm and humid climate in central and southern China is highly conducive to their growth. (2) Under the SSP126 scenario, after the mid-21st century, the suitable habitat area of Michelia crassipes has undergone a fluctuating trend of initial increase followed by decrease, reducing to 51.84 × 10⁴ km² in 2090. On the other hand, both the suitable habitat areas of Lirianthe coco and Manglietia insignis show an upward trend. Under the SSP245 and SSP585 scenarios, the total suitable habitat areas of these three rare Magnoliaceae species gradually decrease. (3) We compared the priority protection areas with existing Protected Areas (PAs) in gap analysis; 96.84% of priority conservation areas are lacking effective protection. (4) The distribution centroid is constantly moving to western China. In order to address habitat fragmentation, it is recommended that the range of natural reserves be expanded and ecological corridors be established in the future, preferably according to the predicted suitable climate for protected areas and refuges or habitats for these species. Overall, these findings provide valuable insights for the preservation, stewardship, and utilization of the endangered species of Magnoliaceae under the circumstances of projected global climate change. Full article

Intra-individual variation in floral traits is linked to plant fitness, playing a central role in sexual selection. This variation can arise from architectural constraints, such as flower position on the inflorescence axis, and from environmental factors. In relation to the environmental influences on floral traits, the most common causes of variation are linked to the presence of pollinators, to plant resource acquisition strategies and to the availability of local resource pools. We investigated how clonal integration and resource depletion through defoliation affect floral trait stability in Eichhornia crassipes, testing whether clonal integration buffer floral traits against resource limitations. Using greenhouse experiments, we manipulated clonal structure and resource availability. We assessed the effects of floral position and clonal integration on floral traits through model selection. Our results showed that basal flowers generally had larger traits, more attractive to pollinators, and isolated or defoliated ramets exhibited significant reductions in floral traits, especially at distal flowers. Clonal integration stabilized floral traits across positions by mitigating the effects of resource variability. Clonal integration in E. crassipes enhances resilience to resource depletion, likely contributing to this species invasiveness. These findings highlight the significance of clonal and architectural integration in sustaining reproductive traits under environmental stress. Full article

Natural selection favors the allocation of finite resources to different functions maximizing fitness. In this sense, some functions may decrease whereas others increase when resources are limited in a process called a trade-off. However, a great variety of situations may obscure trade-off detection in clonal plants, such as the ability to generate offspring by clonal growth that represents opportunities for resource uptake. The aim of this work was to evaluate if clonal integration and resource availability mediate biomass allocation patterns in E. crassipes through a greenhouse experiment. We set ramets in clonal and isolated conditions, and with and without leaf blades, and compared the relationship of biomass proportion allocated to each vegetative organ. We found that biomass allocation to vegetative structures in E. crassipes is primarily shaped by resource pools and is enhanced by clonal integration as attached ramets invest more in growth and vegetative structures. In this sense, regarding trade-off patterns in biomass allocation among vegetative organs and under resource depletion, clonal integration may represent a way to stabilize biomass allocation patterns and may decrease trade-off importance. We discuss trade-offs and clonal integration as evolutionary strategies that allow plant persistence and improve plants fitness. These findings may support aquatic plant management and control efforts while highlighting the evolutionary significance of clonal integration for plant life strategies. Full article

Phytoremediation of oil pollution using free-floating aquatic plants is a promising method for water body cleaning. In this study, the influence of Eichhornia crassipes and Pistia stratiotes on the degradation of oil pollution was investigated. The loss of oil alkanes and the rheological characteristics of water were evaluated, and an analysis of the emerging rhizospheric microbial communities was carried out using high-throughput sequencing. The presence of E. crassipes and P. stratiotes plants in oil-contaminated tanks had no effect on the degradation of oil alkanes. However, the presence of plants promoted the development of rhizospheric bacteria capable of growing in oil-contaminated environments. Alpha diversity of microbial communities in oil-contaminated samples was higher in the presence of plants. Additionally, plants significantly reduced the water/oil interfacial tension, which facilitated the availability of hydrocarbons for biodegradation. A difference was noted in the microbiome between E. crassipes and P. stratiotes. Changes in the composition of microbial communities highlight the potential of E. crassipes and P. stratiotes as rhizospheric hosts for microorganisms in the phytoremediation of water bodies. Full article

Invasive alien plants represent one of the five major threats to biodiversity and the disruption of ecosystems. They are introduced through various routes, starting with commercial trade. Preventing their introduction is essential to avoid the spread of new invasive plants. In this paper, we propose a new early warning DNA barcoding tool for invasive plant detection. Eight invasive alien species of European Union concern (i.e., Ludwigia grandiflora, Elodea nuttallii, Myriophyllum aquaticum, Pontederia crassipes, Ailanthus altissima, Heracleum mantegazzianum, Impatiens glandulifera, Pueraria montana) were selected and analysed. A unique DNA marker for each species was identified and amplified using species-specific primers capable of identifying the presence of alien species. To verify whether the approach could detect the presence of alien plants in urban areas from lawn clippings, mixes with typical urban spontaneous plants and invasive species were tested. In all mixes, only the invasive species was identified. This rapid detection capability will enable environmental operators to intervene promptly to contain the spread of invasive plants before they can cause significant damage to the local ecosystem. This tool could have a significant impact on the protection of local biodiversity and the integrity of urban habitats. Full article

Three common floating bed plants, Eichhornia crassipes, Pistia stratiotes, and Ipomoea aquatica, were selected in the present study to investigate their inhibitory effects on toxic Microcystis aeruginosa. The results showed that all three types of floating-bed plants could considerably inhibit the growth of M. aeruginosa and effectively remove the microcystins (MCs) from water systems, among which, E. crassipes and P. stratiotes were more effective in resisting M. aeruginosa, and the removal rate of the intracellular MCs could be up to 100%. In addition, the roots and leaves of the three plants were enriched with a large number of MCs and demonstrated significant antioxidant responses, as evidenced by the increase in the content of catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the roots, stems, and leaves of the plants. Furthermore, this study also showed that Proteobacteria, Bacteroidota, Myxococcota, Verrucomicrobiota, and Actinobacteriota dominated the root microorganisms of the three plants. Moreover, a variety of MC-degrading bacteria, including Sphingomonas, Acinetobacter, Novosphingobium, and Pseudomonas, were found at the genus level, which further provides important basic data for the regulation of eutrophic water bodies and the removal of MCs. Full article