Biotransportation of Heavy Metals in Eichhornia crassipes (MART.) Solms. Using X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy

Abstract

Biomonitoring study of heavy metals was done at pilgrimage freshwater ecosystems of Central Gujarat, India, to ascertain the degree of 17 metals. The study focused on the assessment of available metals in Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms., collected from sacred palustrine habitat (Dakor Sacred Wetland – DSW) of Gujarat, to be used as a biomonitor (active) species, in comparison with sediment (abiotic monitor) for metal pollution. The results were obtained by analyzing elemental composition of rhizome, tuber, stem and leaves of native aquatic freshwater macrophyte (Eichhornia crassipes) along with bottom sediments for 17 heavy metals (Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Br, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Ba, Pb, Sm, Ir) using Wavelength Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (WD-XRF) (Omania Software). The highest concentrations were observed in rhizome (12) in assay species of aquatic macrophyte, followed by tuber and stem (10 each), and least content was observed in leaf (8). Toxic heavy metals (Ti, Mn, Fe, Zn, Br, Sr, Zr, Pb) were detected, prone to cardiac, respiratory, musculo-skeletal and hepatic interferences in indigenous human clusters in and around studied wetland. Eichhornia crassipes was proved to be the best phytoaccumaltor species for heavy metals, exhibited by highest translocation factor for Zn, Sr, Zr, and Pb, and bioaccumulation factor for Mn, Rb, Sr and Fe metals. Present research indicates that E. crassipes (Mart.) Solms. is better remediator species for mobility of Pb, Zr and Sr metals. Thus, Eichhornia crassipes can be used for an effective abatement of contaminated aquatic sites.