Ecology & Safety, Volume 11, 2017

Abstract: Group of higher plants have an important role in the mobilization and removal of heavy metal toxicity from the aquatic ecosystem. Metal bioaccumulation dynamics is also affected by metal studied and environmental condition. Lemna is an ubiquitous aquatic macrophyte with potential for heavy metal removal. Though, biomass disposal and seasonal growth of aquatic macrophytes are some problems faced by the phytoremediation technology in its application from laboratory to the field. However, the disposed biomass of macrophytes can be used for several remarkable applications. Lemna minor, an experimental organism was grown in various concentration of Cr (VI) solution for 30 days. Cr (VI) toxicity in the plant showed decrease in phytomass along with inhibition in chlorophyll, protein, and carbohydrate and nitrate uptake. Metal residual in the experimental basins were also measured to evaluate the bioaccumulation ability of the experimental plant. Lemna minor was found extremely suitable for Cr removal in the laboratory studies.