Accumulation of Indium and other heavy metals by Eleocharis acicularis: an option for phytoremediation and phytomining

Abstract

Eleocharis acicularis was exposed to different concentrations of In, Ag, Pb, Cu, Cd, and Zn in the laboratory to assess its capability in accumulating these metals. After 15 days, 477 mg/kg dry wt. of In was accumulated by the roots; concentrations of Ag, Pb, Cu, Cd, and Zn in the shoots were 326, 1120, 575, 195, and 213 mg/kg dry wt., respectively. The results indicate that E. acicularis has the ability to accumulate these metals from water, making it a good candidate species for phytoremediation and phytomining.