Analysis of urban runoff remediation potential of zinc with Juncus effusus L. and Iris pseudacorus L. plants

Abstract

Abstract Phytoremediation is a sustainable technology that uses vegetation to remediate contaminants from water, soil and sediments. In this paper, two plants, Juncus effusus L. and Iris pseudacorus L. were used in an experimental study of phytoremediation of water contaminated with zinc (Zn) within bioretention systems (BRs). Plants were grown hydroponically in jars with Hoagland nutrient and under different Zn treatments (T1-T2). Four plants of each species were maintained in jars containing only Hoagland nutrient (T1), while for other Zn concentrations were: 0.5 mg/L (T2), 1 mg/L (T3), 2 mg/L (T4) and 4 mg/L (T5). Total Zn concentration in Juncus plants range from 36.2 mg/L to 264.59 mg/L for leaves and 53.20 mg/L for roots, while the concentration of Zn in Iris plants was in the ranged from 45.85 mg/L to 193.05 mg/L. There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) between the samples of Juncus effusus L. leaves and Juncus effusus L. roots as well as between the samples of Juncus effusus L. leaves and Iris pseudacorus L. roots. Juncus effusus L. plants showed significant plant growth under both, low and high Zn concentrations and a high uptake capacity of water. On the contrary, Iris pseudacorus L. plants were affected by Zn treatments, in both leaves and roots and at the end of the experiment, the decrease in the leaf biomass was noted. However, the overall results have confirmed that both plant species have the high accumulation capacity for Zn uptake and therefore, have a great potential for phytoremediation of polluted waters.