Accumulation of chromium (VI) from aqueous solutions using water lilies ( Nymphaea spontanea)

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) 2006, Vol.62 (6), p.961-967
• Main Authors: Choo, T.P., Lee, C.K., Low, K.S., Hishamuddin, O.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; aqueous solutions; bioaccumulation; Biodegradation, Environmental; Biological and medical sciences; biological treatment; Biological treatment of waters; bioremediation; Biotechnology; Carbohydrate Metabolism; chemical constituents of plants; Chlorophyll - metabolism; Chromium; Chromium - isolation & purification; Chromium - metabolism; Chromium - toxicity; Competition; Copper; Electroplating; electroplating effluents; electroplating wastes; Environment and pollution; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; hexavalent chromium; Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects; industrial effluents; Industrial Waste; Industrial wastewaters; leaves; Nymphaea; Nymphaea - drug effects; Nymphaea - metabolism; Nymphaea spontanea; petioles; Phytotoxicity; plant age; Plant Leaves - drug effects; Plant Leaves - metabolism; Plant maturity; Plant Roots - drug effects; Plant Roots - metabolism; Pollution; Proteins - metabolism; roots; Waste Disposal, Fluid; wastewater treatment; Wastewaters; Water lilies; Water Pollutants, Chemical - isolation & purification; Water Pollutants, Chemical - metabolism; Water Pollutants, Chemical - toxicity; Water treatment and pollution
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2005.05.052

This study describes an investigation using tropical water lilies ( Nymphaea spontanea) to remove hexavalent chromium from aqueous solutions and electroplating waste. The results show that water lilies are capable of accumulating substantial amount of Cr(VI), up to 2.119 mg g −1 from a 10 mg l −1 solution. The roots of the plant accumulated the highest amount of Cr(VI) followed by leaves and petioles, indicating that roots play an important role in the bioremediation process. The maturity of the plant exerts a great effect on the removal and accumulation of Cr(VI). Plants of 9 weeks old accumulated the most Cr(VI) followed by those of 6 and 3 weeks old. The results also show that removal of Cr(VI) by water lilies is more efficient when the metal is present singly than in the presence of Cu(II) or in waste solution. This may be largely associated with more pronounced phytotoxicity effect on the biochemical changes in the plants and saturation of binding sites. Significant toxicity effect on the plant was evident as shown in the reduction of chlorophyll, protein and sugar contents in plants exposed to Cr(VI) in this investigation.