Removal of Cu(II) and Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions by water lilies (Nymphaea spontanea)
This study describes an investigation using water lilies (Nymphaea spontanea) to remediate heavy metals (Le. chromium and copper) from aqueous solutions and electroplating waste. Laboratory tests were conducted to evaluate the effect of different ages of water lilies in removing chromium and the...
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English English |
| Published: |
2001
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/9274/1/FSAS_2001_27.pdf |
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| Summary: | This study describes an investigation using water lilies (Nymphaea spontanea) to
remediate heavy metals (Le. chromium and copper) from aqueous solutions and
electroplating waste. Laboratory tests were conducted to evaluate the effect of
different ages of water lilies in removing chromium and the efficiency of water lilies
in accumulating different metal ions (i.e. chromium and copper) at various
concentrations. Phytotoxicity tests on the test plants were also conducted to
determine the plant tolerance towards these metal ions.
The absorption of metal ions by aquatic plants depends on the nature and the
amount of aquatic plants, their stage of development, as well as the metal ion
content and the presence of other dissolved substances. This study shows that plant
age has significant effect on the removal and accumulation of chromium. Plants of 9 weeks old appeared to accumulate the most chromium followed by 6 and 3 weeks
old plant. The roots of water lilies play an important role in the uptake of metal ions
and the results show that metal accumulation in water lilies follow the order: roots >
leaves> petioles. Water lilies are capable of accumulating substantial amount of
chromium. up to 5956 µg/g, and copper, up to 10615 µg/g, and it is shown that
copper is removed more rapidly than chromium. The preferential accumulation of
copper over chromium is probably due to the selective nature of these plants and the
chemical behaviour of the metal ions. Removal of metals by water lilies is more
efficient when the metal is present singly in the solution than in mixed metal
solution or waste solution. Results also show that copper is more toxic to water lilies
when compared to chromium. |
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