Seasonal dynamics of coper and zinc acumulation in shots of Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin ex Steud., Typha latifolia L. and Typha angustifolia L.

Abstract

The concentrations of Cu and Zn were measured in shoots of plants Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin ex Steud., Typha latifolia L. and Typha angustifolia L. at four locations in the area Bardača (Necik - neglected fishpond, Lug - fishpond used for recreation activities, Sinjak - active fishpond and Matura - river connected to some of the fishponds). In all these types of water bodies, Zn and Cu concentrations were the highest in young plants (May-June) and then declined until the end of the season, especially in September. Phragmites australis has accumulated higher amounts of Zn than Typha latifolia and Typha angustifolia, whereas for Cu the difference between species was not so clear. In relation to the site, the largest concentrations of Zn and Cu were recorded in plants from the sites Sinjak and Matura, followed by Necik and Lug respectively. Such site specific differences are related to specific ecological conditions at each habitat.

Keywords

• aquatic macrophytes
• translocation of heavy metals
• phytoremediation