Aquatic Macrophytes

Phyto-remediation technology is a low energy, low maintenance and natural approach to treat domestic sewage. The process is a
clean, economic and eco-friendly method used as an alternative to conventional systems. Phyto-remediation System uses ecological
principles, which simulate the natural processes for treatment of wastewater. It is a live, self-cleaning biological filter. It removes
disease organisms, nutrients, organic loads and a range of other polluting compounds. The breakdown of contaminants and the
treatment of wastewater are achieved by the controlled seepage of the waterborne pollutants through a root-zone of plants. Organic
pollutants are broken down as a food source for the extraordinary variety of microorganisms that are present in the soil and plants.
Other contaminants like heavy metals are fixed in humic acid and cation exchange bonds in the soil or mineral substrate in which
these plants are rooted. The complexity of microbial life forms and the powerful reaction in the Root zone of the plants result in
cleansing capacity that adapts to change in a very dynamic way.

Zeekoevlei is the largest freshwater lake in
South Africa and has a century-long history of
anthropogenic impact that caused hyper-eutrophic
conditions. We used biomarkers (alkanes and pigments),
stable isotopes (d13C and d15N), rates of
primary palaeoproduction and total inorganic carbon
(TIC) accumulation rates in the lake sediments to
investigate changes in plankton and macrophyte
communities in response to anthropogenic activities
in this shallow lake. Specific alkanes and pigment
(chlorophyll a, b,b-carotene, echinenone, fucoxanthin
and zeaxanthin) concentrations in lake waters indicated
the present-day hyper-eutrophic condition and
seasonal fluctuations of cyanobacteria, zooplankton
and diatom populations. Eutrophic conditions were
initiated in the lake with the start of recreational
activities and construction of a sewage treatment plant
in the early 1920s. The lake transformed from a
eutrophic to a hyper-eutrophic waterbody following
damming, pondweed eradication and accelerated
catchment-derived nutrient input. The change in lake
trophic state was recorded by a sharp decline in the
terrestrial to aquatic ratio (TAR) of specific n-alkanes,
low carbon preference index (CPI) and increased d13C
values in the sediment core. In addition, the aquatic
macrophyte n-alkane proxy (Paq) values (1) indicated
a slow takeover by floating macrophytes after
the eradication of submerged pondweeds in 1951.
Elevated n-alkane, total alkane and pigment
(chlorophyll a, b,b-carotene, zeaxanthin and
zeaxanthin to b,b-carotene ratio) concentrations, low
d15N values and low TIC accumulation rates in the
upper middle section of the core indicated the
beginning of intense cyanobacterial blooms after the
dredging in 1983. Although the cyanobacterial population
has decreased in recent years, hyper-eutrophic
conditions are reflected by low CPI<0.04 and TAR<1
values at the top of the sediment core.

Distribution and plant mass of aquatic macrophytes, and their relation to environmental conditions was studied in the submontane-colline Slatina river in 2004. Diversity of macrophytes was low, only 8 vascular plants, 3 mosses and group Algae filamentosae were found. Myriophyllum spicatum is dominant species, Fontinalis antipyretica, Rhynchostegium riparioides and Algae filamentosae are frequent. Interactions between flow class, bed material, depth of water and the first three mentioned macrophytes, as well as Jungermannia leiantha were detected. Sparganium erectum prefers more antrophogenic conditions and Myriophyllum spicatum prefers the light. According to cluster analysis, three distinct and ecologically well separated parts of the river were identified. Based on Reference index, poor ecological status for the studied part of the Slatina river was estimated.

A variety of chemicals including foaming agents are used to aid in the protection of forest resources from the wild land fires. The fire-fighting foams (FFFs) are formulations composed principally of surfactants. As a part of Japanese national project, environmentally inert FFFs have been developed. There is an emerging need for testing the impacts of these FFFs on the living organisms composing the typical landscapes or ecosystems in Japan. In the present report, we aimed to describe our latest attempt for assessing both the short-tem and long-term impacts of FFFs in aquatic (fresh water) and semi-aquatic (wetland) ecosystems , by employing the laboratory-sized model assays (preliminary studies) and the biotope-based observation, respectively. In the biotope assays which was based on the observation in compact biotopes mimicking the fresh water environments and wetland, both the acute and long-term eco-toxic impacts of two FFFs (soap-based and synthetic detergent-based) were assessed. Spraying of synthetic detergent-based foam formula was shown to be more toxic compared to soap-based formula and mock water treatment.

Drainage from mining sites rich in sulfur bearing rocks is known as acid mine drainage (AMD). Acid mine drainage water is a serious environmental pollutant that has its ill effects on plants, animals and microflora of a region. Mine water drainage mainly results due to anthropogenic activities like mining that leave the sulfur bearing rocks exposed. This drainage water poses as a potent soil, surface water and ground water pollutant. Although a lot of remediation measures have been implemented in the past but, none of them have been able to solve the problem completely. This review intends to focus on new emerging and better techniques in the form of phytoremediation and nanoremediation for treatment of acid mine drainage water. Besides, the review also gives more importance to the phytoremediation technique over nanoremediation because of the cost effectiveness and eco-friendly nature of the first as compared to the latter. A hypothetical model discussing the use of hyperaccumulator plants in remediation of acid mine water has been proposed. The model also proposes natural induction of the phytoremedial ability of the plants involved in the remediation process. The proposed model assisted by inputs with further research, may be helpful in proper treatment of acid mine drainage water in the near future.

Abstract:Aquatic macroinvertebrates play significant role in responding to a variety of environmental conditions of rivers and streams and therefore may be used as bio-indicators for water quality assessment. In the past, biological communities like plankton, periphyton, ...

... Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn as a function of pH was performed using a computer ... Arsenic concentration in sediments corresponded to the geopedochemical background, defined as arsenic concentration in ... 4.3 The Use of Aquatic Plants as Bioindicators of Aquatic Heavy Metal Pollution ...

This study focused on the monitoring and assessment of aquatic ecosystem functioning based on the abiotic and biotic features of Lake Nasser in the post-flood and pre-flood periods as the last ones before water storing behind the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. The physicochemical parameters, distribution and structure of biotic communities, including bacteria, phytoplankton, zooplankton, macrophytes, epiphytes and fish were analyzed at 15 sites. The values of most parameters (primarily temperature, total suspended solids, pH, orthophosphates, carbonates, sulphates and some cations) were higher in the pre-flood period, whereas higher values of conductivity, total dissolved solids, total solids, nitrites, nitrates, chemical oxygen demand, bicarbonates and chlorophyll a were recorded in the post-flood period. Cyanobacteria-dominated phytoplankton and total coliform bacteria were more abundant in the pre-flood period, and especially at sites 10–15, whereas higher abundances of zooplan...

This study focused on the monitoring and assessment of aquatic ecosystem functioning based on the abiotic and biotic features of Lake Nasser in the post-flood and pre-flood periods as the last ones before water storing behind the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. The physicochemical parameters, distribution and structure of biotic communities, including bacteria, phytoplankton, zooplankton, macrophytes, epiphytes and fish were analyzed at 15 sites. The values of most parameters (primarily temperature, total suspended solids, pH, orthophosphates, carbonates, sulphates and some cations) were higher in the pre-flood period, whereas higher values of conductivity, total dissolved solids, total solids, nitrites, nitrates, chemical oxygen demand, bicarbonates and chlorophyll a were recorded in the post-flood period. Cyanobacteria-dominated phytoplankton and total coliform bacteria were more abundant in the pre-flood period, and especially at sites 10–15, whereas higher abundances of zooplan...

The role of abiotic and biotic factors in determining the distribution and movement patterns of five species of coarse fish in a shallow eutrophic lake were examined between 1987 and 1990. Early chemical analyses revealed that the lake was mildly eutrophic.

Routine fish sampling showed that although bream, rudd, perch and pike were present, the fish community was numerically dominated by a stunted roach population.

Intraspecific and interspecific variations in habitat use were observed using a combination of radio telemetry, tagging techniques and C.P.U.E. data. Roach, perch and bream displayed flexible patterns of habitat use when compared to rudd and pike. Both rudd and pike showed strong preferences for littoral vegetated habitats, although older individuals of both species were occasionally recovered from open habitats. Juvenile
roach, bream, rudd and perch all occupied the littoral zone during the summer months but only rudd were totally restricted to this habitat. Association and dietary overlap indices revealed that both spatial and diet overlap differs seasonally and within/between species groups. The influence of competitive and predatory interactions on observed
patterns of resource utilization are discussed.

Both temporal and spatial aspects of spawning behaviour were elucidated using C.P.U.E. data for mature fish and radio tracking techniques (for pike only). All species utilized shallow vegetated areas for spawning, however no large scale movements to recognised spawning areas were observed.

Seasonal activity patterns were strongly influenced by temperature, whereas diel activity patterns were largely governed by ambient illumination levels. An analysis of diel temporal activity and foraging patterns revealed that although the feeding activity of visually oriented predators (perch and pike) was restricted to diurnal and crepuscular periods, cyprinids continued to forage at low light levels. Diel horizontal migrations were not observed. Interpecific and Intraspecific variations in the vertical distribution of all species in relation to temperature, oxygen and light levels were also examined.

Laboratory experiments showed that predation risk by piscivorous pike influenced habitat choice and activity levels of potential prey species. The role of abiotic factors/habitat structural complexity and the importance of competitive/predatory interactions in the movement and distribution of fish populations in eutrophic lakes is discussed in relation to the 'trophic cascade' theory and biomanipulation.

The principal sources of water for human use are lakes, rivers, soil moisture and relatively shallow groundwater basins. Water quality in lakes and reservoirs is subjected to the natural degradation, processes of eutrophication and the impacts of human activities. Water quality problems can often be as severe as those of water availability but less attention has been paid to them, particularly in developing countries. Currently additional sustainable ways to mitigate the degradation of water quality are being researched all over the world. Phytoremediation is one of the serious efforts towards the sustainability. Most of the aquatic macrophytes are naturally occurring and well adapted for their surroundings. Aquatic macrophytes have the capability to remove excessive nutrient load from the water that otherwise cause eutrophication of the water body. Aquatic macrophytes absorb nutrient mineral ions from water column and influence metal retention indirectly by acting as traps for particulate matter, by slowing the water current and favoring sedimentation of suspended particles. Aquatic macrophytes also reduce sediment resuspension by offering wind protection. The use of aquatic macrophyte for treatment of wastewater to mitigate variety of pollution level is one of the most researched issues all over the world. Aquatic plant species are very specific for the uptake of nutrients. Owing to this specificity, the selection of the aquatic plant species is one of the skilled tasks prior to the design of a water treatment facility. An effort has been made in this review to cover the most researched aquatic flora for mitigation purposes and their possible use in a mesocosm as the selection of an appropriate aquatic plant specie reduce the time and cost of the treatment processes.

This study focused on the monitoring and assessment of aquatic ecosystem functioning based on the abiotic and biotic features of Lake Nasser in the post-flood and pre-flood periods as the last ones before water storing behind the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. The physicochemical parameters, distribution and structure of biotic communities, including bacteria, phytoplankton, zooplankton, macrophytes, epiphytes and fish were analyzed at 15 sites. The values of most parameters (primarily temperature, total suspended solids, pH, orthophosphates, carbonates, sulphates and some cations) were higher in the pre-flood period, whereas higher values of conductivity, total dissolved solids, total solids, nitrites, nitrates, chemical oxygen demand, bicarbonates and chlorophyll a were recorded in the post-flood period. Cyanobacteria-dominated phytoplankton and total coliform bacteria were more abundant in the pre-flood period, and especially at sites 10-15, whereas higher abundances of zooplan...

The role of both terrestrial and aquatic plants in phytoremediation of various contaminants is well established. Phytoremediation has been successfully implemented at different locations, including military sites, agricultural fields, industrial units, mine tailings, and sewage and municipal wastewater treatment plants, with efficient capacity for removing various organic and inorganic pollutants through processes such as extraction, degradation, or stabilization. Aquatic macrophytes represent a diverse group of plants with an immense potential for removal/degradation of variety of contaminants, including heavy metals, inorganic/organic pollutants, radioactive wastes, and explosives. The present review emphasizes the role of aquatic macrophytes in phytoremediation technologies with due importance to each group irrespective of being free-floating, submerged, or emergent. Realizing the exorbitant abilities of aquatic macrophytes, their suitability for wider use in phytoremediation technologies including constructed wetlands is emphasized.

This study focused on the monitoring and assessment of aquatic ecosystem functioning based on the abiotic and biotic features of Lake Nasser in the post-flood and pre-flood periods as the last ones before water storing behind the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. The physicochemical parameters, distribution and structure of biotic communities, including bacteria, phytoplankton, zooplankton, macrophytes, epiphytes and fish were analyzed at 15 sites. The values of most parameters (primarily temperature, total suspended solids, pH, orthophosphates, carbonates, sulphates and some cations) were higher in the pre-flood period, whereas higher values of conductivity, total dissolved solids, total solids, nitrites, nitrates, chemical oxygen demand, bicarbonates and chlorophyll a were recorded in the post-flood period. Cyanobacteria-dominated phytoplankton and total coliform bacteria were more abundant in the pre-flood period, and especially at sites 10–15, whereas higher abundances of zooplan...

Poklonov, V.А., Shestakova, T.V. & Ostroumov, S.A. Phytotoxic Effect of Heavy Metal Mixture on Macrophytes. Russ J Gen Chem 88, 2879–2883 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1134/S107036321813008X ;

The interaction between inorganic pollutants and higher aquatic plants was studied. Experimental data demonstrated toxic effects from a mixture of heavy metals (Cu, Fe 3+ , Ni, Fe 2+ , Zn, Cr 6+ , Pb, Cd) on Chara fragilis and Callitriche palustris macrophyte species. The experiments were carried out in freshwater microcosms at temperature 12-19°C. Phytotoxicity of the tested mixtures of heavy metals to the macrophytes was revealed. Shoots of C. fragilis and C. palustris plants showed some common signs of phytotoxicity. The new results contribute to the development of water purification phytotechnologies, as well as to elucidation of the range of conditions for applicability of the investigated species in phytoremediation.

https://www.academia.edu/68685551/ ;

The aquatic ecosystem is composed of aquatic flora and fauna which interact together in maintaining the aquatic ecosystem. Aquatic macrophytes are macroscopic forms of aquatic vegetation, including macro algae, mosses, ferns and angiosperms found in aquatic habitat. Macrophytes of freshwater ecosystems have diverse roles to play in the structure and functioning of these aquatic ecosystems. The depth, density, diversity and types of macrophytes present in a system are indicators of water body health. Aquatic vegetation can influence the water quality too. Macrophytes are considered as an important component of the aquatic ecosystem as the habitat and food source for aquatic life. Of all the biological treatments for controlling eutrophication, submerged macrophytes, has been recognized as being the most effective. This paper is a brief review of the diverse role of macrophytes in an aquatic ecosystem.

This study focused on the monitoring and assessment of aquatic ecosystem functioning based on the abiotic and biotic features of Lake Nasser in the post-flood and pre-flood periods as the last ones before water storing behind the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. The physicochemical parameters, distribution and structure of biotic communities, including bacteria, phytoplankton, zooplankton, macrophytes, epiphytes and fish were analyzed at 15 sites. The values of most parameters (primarily temperature, total suspended solids, pH, orthophosphates, carbonates, sulphates and some cations) were higher in the pre-flood period, whereas higher values of conductivity, total dissolved solids, total solids, nitrites, nitrates, chemical oxygen demand, bicarbonates and chlorophyll a were recorded in the post-flood period. Cyanobacteria-dominated phytoplankton and total coliform bacteria were more abundant in the pre-flood period, and especially at sites 10–15, whereas higher abundances of zooplan...

The objective of the study was to evaluate the phytoremediation potential of three aquatic macrophytes (Commelina cyanea, Phragmites australis and Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes)) for treatment of municipal wastewater collected from Federal University of Technology, Akure (Nigeria). Laboratory scale of three constructed wetlands of dimensions 0.43 m x 0.93 m x 0.36 m in width, length and depth respectively, were developed to mimic natural conditions and was operated for a single experimental run with each macrophte at different retention time of 6, 9 and 12 days. These aquatic macrophytes were planted in separate ponds. Domestic wastewater from undergraduate students' hostel was introduced to the ponds. The raw wastewater sample and treated wastewater samples were analysed using standard laboratory methods for physical (Turbidity and Dissolved solids), chemical (pH, Nitrate, Nitrite, Phosphate, Sulphate Chemical Oxygen Demand and Biochemical Oxygen Demand) and bacteriological (Coliform bacteria) parameters. Results showed substantial diminutions in all parameters treated with the phytoremediators during the course of the study. Asides the three plants effectively removing Nitrate, Nitrite, phosphate and Sulphate pollutants, Phragmites australis gave the highest removal efciency for Phosphate (85.8%), Water hyacinth gave the highest removal efciency for pH (11.5%), Biochemical Oxygen Demand and Coliform bacteria and Commelina cyanea gave the highest removal efciency for turbidity (96.9%) and dissolved solids (82.9%) parameters of the domestic wastewater samples. The overall results of the phytoremediation studies indicate that the purication effectiveness of the three aquatic macrophytes were spontaneous, feasible and remarkable.

Ostroumov S.A., Shestakova T.V. Decreasing the measurable concentrations of Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb in the water of the experimental systems containing Ceratophyllum demersum: The phytoremediation potential // Doklady Biological Sciences, 2009 (October), vol. 428, no. 1, p. 444-447. Finding: aquatic plants C. demersum induced a removal of the heavy metals Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb from water. Abstract: Changes in the concentrations of the four heavy metals in the water of experimental systems were studied. Using the method of inversion voltamperometry, the concentrations of the heavy metals Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb were measured in the water of the experimental microcosms. Aquatic macrophytes Ceratophyllum demersum were incubated in the microcosms. The measured concentrations of all four heavy metals decreased in the microcosms with the macrophytes much faster than in the control microcosms without any aquatic plants. The new results complement the previous data on the phytoremediation potential of aquatic plants.  The new facts proved that  Ceratophyllum demersum  is a potent tool to clean water and to remove heavy metals. This is the first time the phytoremediation potential (for the mixture of metals) of this wide-spread species  was discovered. The plant removed the toxic metals cadmium, lead, copper, zink (Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn) from water with great efficiency. As a result, water quality improved dramatically with a prospect of new technology.
KEYWORDS:
concentrations, heavy metals, water quality, experimental systems, method of inversion voltamperometry, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, microcosms, aquatic macrophytes Ceratophyllum demersum, aquatic plants, phytoremediation, phytotechnology. [publisher: MAIK Nauka/Interperiodica];
DOI: 10.1134/S0012496609050159; www.springerlink.com/index/ML1062K7271L318N.pdf; https://www.researchgate.net/file.FileLoader.html?key=8fd8998627b86102db72c9b237c25054; http://sites.google.com/site/9dbs444/decreasing-the-measurable-concentrations-of-cu-zn-cd-and-pb-in-the-water; PMID: 19994786 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]; www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19994786;
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=ZGVmYXVsdGRvbWFpbnw5ZGJzNDQ0fGd4OjM0N2IxNGFjNmZjNmIyYjI; http://www.citeulike.org/user/ATP/article/6039985;
https://www.academia.edu/1936807/ ;
Decreasing_the_measurable_concentrations_of_Cu_Zn_Cd_and_Pb_in_the_water_of_the_experimental_systems_containing_Ceratophyllum_demersum_The_phytoremediation_potential
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Present manuscript deals with the diversity of hydrophytes and other macrophytes generally found in and along the rivers of the Chandrapur district. The major rivers Wardha, Painganga and Waineganga of the district were studied for a period of two years from 2013-2015. During study, 16 hydrophytes and 56 other macrophytes were recorded from 21 selected sites of the rivers. Among the enlisted macrophytes two are Algae, two are Pteridophytes and 68 are Angiosperms.

This study focused on the monitoring and assessment of aquatic ecosystem functioning based on the abiotic and biotic features of Lake Nasser in the post-flood and pre-flood periods as the last ones before water storing behind the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. The physicochemical parameters, distribution and structure of biotic communities, including bacteria, phytoplankton, zooplankton, macrophytes, epiphytes and fish were analyzed at 15 sites. The values of most parameters (primarily temperature, total suspended solids, pH, orthophosphates, carbonates, sulphates and some cations) were higher in the pre-flood period, whereas higher values of conductivity, total dissolved solids, total solids, nitrites, nitrates, chemical oxygen demand, bicarbonates and chlorophyll a were recorded in the post-flood period. Cyanobacteria-dominated phytoplankton and total coliform bacteria were more abundant in the pre-flood period, and especially at sites 10–15, whereas higher abundances of zooplan...

Ostroumov, S.A., Poklonov, V.A., Kotelevtsev, S.V. and Orlov, S.N., 2014. Toxicity of gold nanoparticles for plants in experimental aquatic system. Moscow University biological sciences bulletin, 69(3), pp.108-112.
https://www.academia.edu/51026508/ ;
Increased production and use of nanomaterials can lead to new types of pollution of the environment, including aquatic ecosystems. Pollution of the aqueous environment with nanoparticles can be a new type of pollution of the environment. This requires a more detailed study of the biological effects during expo sure of nanoparticles on aquatic organisms. The interactions of gold nanoparticles (Au) with aquatic macrophytes Ceratophyllum demersum have been studied. Aquatic microcosms with these plants were used. Gold nanoparticles (Au) were added to the aqueous medium of C. demersum macrophyte containing microcosms. The state of the plants was then analyzed. Phytotoxicity of Au nanoparticles for aquatic macrophytes was shown for the first time. A new method of phytotoxicity detection was suggested and successfully approved. Phytotoxicity at a concentration of Au (in the form of nanoparticles) of 6 × 10-6 M-1.8 × 10-5 M was shown.

About 5% of the territory of the Argentine Patagonia is occupied by wetlands, essential ecosystems to host numerous native species of animals and plants. The objective of this work is to analyze the diversity of vascular plants associated to different wetlands in Neuquén and Río Negro provinces. Physico-chemical characteristics of the water were measured, and intensive floristic collections were carried out in 13 wetlands. The plant material was identified following the classic taxonomy methods. The list of species was made, and a floristic analysis was carried out. A cluster analy-sis based on the Bray-Curtis similarity matrix was performed among the 13 wetlands studied. The conservation index was calculated for each wetland. The floristic list shows 48 families and 172 infrageneric taxa, 62% native and 38% exotic. Fifty taxa are cited for the first time for Neuquén and 18 for Río Negro. Four groups of wetlands are recognized according to the cluster analysis. This work constitutes the first floristic list of the wetlands of Norpatagonia. Wetlands are heterogeneous in both diversity of vascular plants and physico-chemical charac-teristics of water. The total richness of the studied wetlands is comparable with different subtropical wetlands. Numerous taxa are typical of a wetland, consequently, their conservation is subject to the preservation of the wet-land that contains these taxa. Floristic diversity is influenced both the quality of the water and interconnection between each wetland.