Use of macrophytes for mapping bioavailable heavy metals in shallow coastal areas, Stockholm, Sweden

• Published in: Applied geochemistry 1993, Vol.8, p.37-43
• Main Authors: Greger, M., Kautsky, L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics; Exact sciences and technology; Geochemistry; Myriophyllum spicatum; Pollution, environment geology; Potamogeton pectinatus; Potamogeton perfoliatus; Soil and rock geochemistry
• ISSN: 0883-2927; 1872-9134
• DOI: 10.1016/S0883-2927(09)80007-3

Macrophytes take up heavy metals via roots from the sediment and via shoots directly from the water. Therefore, the integrated amounts of bioavailable metals in water and sediment can be indicated by using macrophytes. When using macrophytes, however, a few points have to be taken into consideration. Different plant species take up heavy metals in different amounts, and may also transport metals from the roots up to the shoots to various degrees. Thus it is important to use whole plants of the same species to be able to compare data. In the waters near Stockholm, Sweden, Potamogeton perfoliatus is the most frequently occuring species and is, therefore the most useful species for the study. Several factors which affect the bioavailability of heavy metals in an aquatic environment (e.g. pH, organic matter, salinity, Zn, resuspension, redoxpotential and bioturbation) will be integrated in the uptake of macrophytes. It is impossible, however, to measure the bioavailability of heavy metals by sediment analysis. Thus, using macrophytes along with analyses of sediment will be a valuable tool when mapping the bioavailable amounts of heavy metals in shallow coastal areas.