Selection of Suitable Emergent Plants for Removal of Arsenic from Arsenic Contaminated Water

Abstract

This study focused on the selection of suitable emergent plants for arsenic removal from water. The arsenic uptake abilities of Typha spp, Canna spp, Colocasia esculenta, Heliconia psittacorum and Thalia dealbato J. Fraser were determined for plants harvested at 14 and 28 days after being treated with 1 mg As L- 1. Colocasia esculenta was the best plant for removing arsenic from water for a 28 day exposure period. Arsenic accumulated mainly in the root (approximately 195 μg As g-1 dry weight of Colocasia esculenta at 28 days of exposure). The efficiency of the plants for arsenic accumulation depended on the arsenic content in the nutrient solution and exposure time. As the exposure period gets longer, the greater the amount of arsenic is uptaken by the test plants.