Removal of heavy metals from industrial effluents by the submerged aquatic plant Myriophyllum spicatum L.

The potential use of Myriophyllum spicatum L. for the removal of Co, Ni, Cu and Zn from industrial effluents was studied. The removal kinetics, tolerance and accumulation capacity of the submerged aquatic plant were assessed. Removal of Cu and Zn was similar and occurred rapidly with time whereas removal of Co and Ni was slower. Plant growth was not adversely affected during the 12 weeks of exposure to the wastewater. Cobalt, Ni, Cu and Zn concentrations of respectively 1,675, 1,529, 766 and 2,883 mg kg(-1) DM were observed in the biomass. M. spicatum is suggested as an efficient plant species for the treatment of metal-contaminated industrial wastewater