Phytoremediation, bioaccessibility and ecotoxicological risk assessment of arsenic in a gold mining area

Elida Cristina Monteiro de Oliveira; Luís Paulo Pires; Vanessa Santana Vieira Santos; Evelyn Siqueira Caixeta; João Vitor M Bravo; Boscolli Barbosa Pereira

doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138030

Phytoremediation, bioaccessibility and ecotoxicological risk assessment of arsenic in a gold mining area

Chemosphere. 2023 Apr:319:138030. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138030. Epub 2023 Jan 31.

Authors

Elida Cristina Monteiro de Oliveira¹, Luís Paulo Pires², Vanessa Santana Vieira Santos³, Evelyn Siqueira Caixeta⁴, João Vitor M Bravo⁵, Boscolli Barbosa Pereira⁶

Affiliations

¹ Federal University of Uberlândia, Institute of Biotechnology, Department of Genetics and Biochemistry, Campus Umuarama, Avenida Pará, 1720, 38.400-902, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Electronic address: elida.monteiro.bio@gmail.com.
² Federal University of Uberlândia, Institute of Biology, Campus Umuarama, Avenida Pará, 1720, 38.400-902, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Electronic address: luisp2610@gmail.com.
³ Federal University of Uberlândia, Institute of Biotechnology, Department of Genetics and Biochemistry, Campus Umuarama, Avenida Pará, 1720, 38.400-902, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Electronic address: vanessasvs2009@hotmail.com.
⁴ Federal University of Uberlândia, Institute of Biotechnology, Department of Genetics and Biochemistry, Campus Umuarama, Avenida Pará, 1720, 38.400-902, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Electronic address: evelyn_caixeta@hotmail.com.
⁵ Federal University of Uberlândia, Institute of Geography, Department of Environmental Health, Campus Santa Monica, Avenida João Naves de Ávila, 2121, 38.408-100, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Electronic address: jvmbravo@ufu.br.
⁶ Federal University of Uberlândia, Institute of Biotechnology, Department of Genetics and Biochemistry, Campus Umuarama, Avenida Pará, 1720, 38.400-902, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Federal University of Uberlândia, Institute of Geography, Department of Environmental Health, Campus Santa Monica, Avenida João Naves de Ávila, 2121, 38.408-100, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Electronic address: boscolli@ufu.br.

PMID: 36736479
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138030

Abstract

The physicochemical and biological parameters of aquatic ecosystems are directly affected by mining activities, increasing the ecotoxicological risk related to exposure to contaminants and pollutants. In this study, a native and adapted floating aquatic macrophyte was used in a gold mining area as a model organism to assess the environmental risk and its potential application in bioremediation of heavy metals. The physicochemical parameters of water and sediments were evaluated, as well as the phytoremediation parameters (bioconcentration and translocation factors) of Hydrocotyle ranunculoides L. The results showed a significant bioconcentration of Cr, Pb, Cu, and Zn in the roots of the macrophyte (high BCF: As > Cu > Zn > Pb > Cr), confirming its suitability for use in rhizofiltration. Regarding arsenic bioconcentration, H. ranunculoides demonstrated a high BCF and TF > 1, indicating its phytoextraction potential, an essential requirement for plants to be used in bioremediation programs.

Keywords: Aquatic macrophyte; Bioremediation; Ecotoxicology; Heavy metals; Sediments.

MeSH terms

Arsenic* / analysis
Biodegradation, Environmental
Ecosystem
Gold
Lead
Metals, Heavy* / analysis
Mining
Risk Assessment
Soil Pollutants* / analysis

Substances

Arsenic
Gold
Lead
Soil Pollutants
Metals, Heavy