Heavy Metal Accumulation In the Leaves, Stem and Root of the Invasive Submerged Macrophyte Myriophyllum spicatum L. (Haloragaceae): An Example of Kadin Creek (Mugla, Turkey)

Abstract

In this study, the existence of heavy metals such as chromium (Cr), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb) their distribution in the organs of plant and their bioaccumulation rates in water samples and Myriophyllum spicatum which were collected from the Kadin Creek in seasonal periods between 2011 and 2012 were analyzed. Heavy metal concentrations in the mineralized plant and water samples were determined with Inductive coupled plasma with mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS). Results showed the maximum heavy metal concentrations, in the root and minimum heavy metal concentrations, except chromium, in the stem. The distribution of heavy metals As, Cd, Hg and Pb was in the form of root > leaf > stem; the distribution of Cr was in the root > stem > leaf. There was a strong negative correlation between the suspended solid matter and heavy metal concentrations in the plant tissues. Heavy metal accumulation showed increase generally in fall. Heavy metals in the water were sorted as Pb > Cr > As > Hg > Cd by their mean concentrations. According to the factor data of bioconcentration, the order of heavy metal accumulation in the plant was As > Cr > Pb > Hg > Cd.