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A phytoremediation approach using Calamagrostis ligulata and Juncus imbricatus in Andean wetlands of Peru

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Abstract

Emergent plant species growing in Andean natural wetlands have shown efficient phytoremediation capabilities in wetlands polluted by acid mine drainage. However, the types and amounts of heavy metals accumulated by native plant species are not well understood. In this study, we focused on determining heavy metal concentrations and bioaccumulation factors in Calamagrostis ligulata and Juncus imbricatus. Two acid wetlands located above 3,500 m a.s.l. in Ancash, Peru were assessed. Physico-chemical parameters and heavy metals concentrations in control and experimental plant samples were measured in dry and rainy seasons. Results indicated that C. ligulata and J. imbricatus aerial parts accumulated higher amounts of Fe, Zn, As and Al. Also, bioaccumulation factors revealed notable increases in As, Pb and Al, but less so in Cd, Fe and Zn. On the other hand, physico-chemical parameters of water quality (pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, sulphides) between inflow and outflow of wetlands indicated significant differences in the presence of metals in comparison with their maximum permissible limits. Both emergent plant species showed an accumulation of heavy metals and thus the ability to recovery of water quality in wetland outflows.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the Fund of the Released Financial Resources for Peruvian Professorship Homologation Processes approved through university research pro-vice-chancellor Resolution N° 034-2008-UNASAM. In addition, this study was partially supported by Science and Technology Programme, Presidency of the Council of Ministers of Peru. We appreciate the critical revision of anonymous reviewers to improve in the final version of the manuscript.

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  1. Departamento de Botánica, Universidad de Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, CP 30100, Murcia, Spain

    Bobadilla Miguel

  2. Departamento Académico de Ciencias del Ambiente, Universidad Nacional “Santiago Antúnez de Mayolo”, Huaraz, Ancash, Peru

    Palomino Edwin

  3. Departamento de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional “Santiago Antúnez de Mayolo”, Huaraz, Ancash, Peru

    Aliaga Edell & Yupanqui Edson

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  1. Bobadilla Miguel
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Miguel, B., Edell, A., Edson, Y. et al. A phytoremediation approach using Calamagrostis ligulata and Juncus imbricatus in Andean wetlands of Peru. Environ Monit Assess 185, 323–334 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-012-2552-x

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