Content of Metals in Phragmites australis Trin. ex Steud and Potamogeton pectinatus L. from Water Bodies of Different Salinity

Abstract

Metals were determined in two species of macrophytes Phragmites australis Trin. ex Steud and Potamogeton pectinatus L. grown in lakes of different salinity, using emission spectrometer with inductively coupled plasma. Principal component analysis revealed that the total metal content is influenced by species of macrophytes and environmental conditions (in particular water chemistry). Both species of macrophytes from freshwater reservoir Bugach were characterized by higher concentrations of Fe, Al, Ni, V and Co in comparison with the same species from brackish lakes. However, there were no significant differences in content of these metals between samples of macrophytes taken in desalinated and saltwater parts of Shira Lake. In some cases, metal content of samples collected in different years at the same place were significantly different. It was observed for plants of Ph. australis collected in brackish station of Shira Lake, and plants of P. pectinatus from Lake Shunet. It was found that the highest total content of most metals is typical for P. pectinatus

Keywords

• macroelements
• microelements
• metals
• macrophytes
• reservoir
• brackish lake
• salinity