Comparative analysis of element concentrations and translocation in three wetland congener plants: Typha domingensis, Typha latifolia and Typha angustifolia

Abstract

This study analyzed the concentrations and distributions of Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn in three different cattail species growing spontaneously in a natural wetland subject to municipal wastewater and metal contamination. The cattail species included Typha domingensis, T. latifolia and T. angustifolia. Results showed that all Typha species have similar element concentrations in roots, rhizomes and leaves, and similar element mobility from sediments to roots and from roots to leaves. This study corroborated three patterns of Typha species growing in metal contaminated environments: high tolerance to toxic conditions, bulk element concentrations in roots, and restricted element translocation from roots to leaves. This study showed that three different Typha species respond similarly to metal inputs under the same polluting field conditions. Given their similar metal content and similar biomass size, our results suggest that T. domingensis, T. latifolia and T. angustifolia may have comparable capacity of phytoremediation. High element uptake and large biomass make Typha species some of the best species for phytoremediation of metal contaminated environments.

Keywords: Cattails; Heavy metals; Sediments; Sicily; Wastewater; Wetlands.