Determination of the toxic effects of heavy metals on the morpho-anatomical responses of the leaf of Typha latifolia as a biomonitoring tool

Abstract

Abstract This study aims to assess the water quality in a wetland of Burgas lake (North-East Algerian) subjected to heavy metal contamination and to determine the toxic effects of this polluants on the anatomical responses of the leaf of Typha latifolia as an effective biomonitoring tool. Water samples at the outlet of the constructed open water surface wetland were collected monthly in 2018 over 3 months. The assessment included physical and chemical parameters and the concentrations of Hg, Cd, Cr, and Pb were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrometry, as well as a microscopic study of the tissues and cells that compose the leaf of Typha latifolia. The results showed the physico-chemical parameters of the water of lake Burgas treated by plantations of Typha latifolia. However, despite this The short-term ability of T. latifolia to remediate this lake contaminated causes the presence of low concertations of heavy metals which are harmful pollutants. Regarding the anatomy of the leaves, the results showed anatomical changes such as irregular shapes of the cells of the spongy parenchyma tissue and shrinkage of the size of the conducting vessels, and slight deformations detected on the xylem. In the peridermic sections, no signs of variation in stomatal anatomical features were detected, compared to the plants at the control site. On the other hand, behavioral changes marked by the closure of most stomata may be related to a mechanism of tolerance to toxic conditions, for phytoremediation of metal contaminated environments.