Influence of Typha domingensis in the removal of high P concentrations from water.

G. DI LUCA; A. MAINE; M. MUFFARREGE; HADAD, H; C. BONETTO

CHEMOSPHERE

PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2015 vol. 138 p. 405 - 411

0045-6535

A greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the removal of high P concentration from water byvegetated and unvegetated wetlands. Reactors containing 4 kg of sediment and two plants of Typhadomingensis (vegetated treatments) and reactors containing only sediment (unvegetated treatments)were arranged. Reactors were dosed with 100 and 500 mg L1 of P-PO4. The studied concentrations triedto simulate an accidental dump. Controls without P addition were also disposed. Water samples were collectedperiodically and analyzed for phosphorus. Sediment (0?3 (surface), 3?7 (medium) and 7?10 cm(deep)) and plant samples (roots, rhizomes, submerged leaves and aerial leaves) were collected at thebeginning and at end of the experiment and were analyzed for total phosphorus. P fractionation was performedin the surface sediment layer. Relative growth rate (RGR) was calculated in each treatment consideringinitial and final plant height. P was efficiently removed from water in both, vegetated andunvegetated treatments. However, the major P removal was achieved in vegetated treatments. T. domingensishas a high capacity to tolerate and accumulate high P concentrations, especially in leaves, causing Paccumulation in sediment to be significantly low in vegetated treatments. P accumulation was producedin the surface sediment layer (0?3 cm) in all treatments, mainly retained as iron-bound P. Present resultspoint the large removal capacity of phosphate of systems planted with T. domingensis. Therefore T. domingensisis suitable for phytoremediation practice, being capable to tolerate high P concentration.