Determination of Cu, Mn and V adsorption capacity in dry macrophyte biomass

Abstract

The importance of macrophytes in aquatic and wetland environments is of great importance. Among its relevant role are the applications for bioindication, phytoremediation and removal of potentially toxic elements from aquatic media. Aquatic environments have always been exposed to all types of contamination, whether natural or anthropogenic, from volcanic eruptions to the deliberate release of untreated chemical sewage. The importance of research to minimize the harmful effects caused by discharges of pollutants in water bodies is have been raising. The objective of this study was to determine the adsorption capacity of elements considered essential for plant growth at low concentrations, but acting as pollutants at high ones: copper, manganese and vanadium. The methodology used is was the cultivation of plants in an environment free of polluting charges for subsequent adsorption tests at different times and pH concentrations. The methods used to perform the measurements was INAA and GF-AAS. Copper at the concentrations used did not show favorable results for adsorption with the macrophyte biomass Eichhornia crassipes, Egria densa, Pistia stratiotes and Salvinia auriculata.