Physiological responses of mangrove Sonneratia apetala Buch-Ham plant to wastewater nutrients and heavy metals

Int J Phytoremediation. 2011 May-Jun;13(5):456-64. doi: 10.1080/15226511003671395.

Abstract

Mangroves play an important role for removing nutrients, heavy metals, and other pollutants in wetland ecosystems. This study investigated the physiological responses of a mangrove plant (i.e., Sonneratia apetala Buch-Ham) to different wastewater pollution levels. Four different treatments, namely three concentration levels (i.e., normal, five-time-greater than normal, and ten-time-greater than normal) of wastewaters and one control (i.e., salted water), were used to grow the mangrove plants. Results showed that the height and biomass of the plant increased with wastewater pollution levels. No significant differences in root and catalase activities were observed among different treatments, whereas the increases in peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities were attributed to the need for detoxification. In general, leaf chlorophyll content increased with wastewater pollution levels due to the increase in nutrient contents.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biomass
  • Catalase / metabolism
  • Chlorophyll / metabolism
  • Environmental Pollution
  • Lythraceae / drug effects*
  • Lythraceae / growth & development
  • Lythraceae / physiology*
  • Metals, Heavy / pharmacology*
  • Peroxidase / metabolism
  • Plant Leaves / drug effects
  • Plant Leaves / physiology
  • Plant Roots / drug effects
  • Plant Roots / physiology
  • Superoxide Dismutase / metabolism
  • Waste Disposal, Fluid
  • Water / chemistry
  • Water Pollutants / pharmacology*
  • Wetlands

Substances

  • Metals, Heavy
  • Water Pollutants
  • Water
  • Chlorophyll
  • Catalase
  • Peroxidase
  • Superoxide Dismutase