Exploring the Phytoremediation Capability of Athyrium filix-femina, Ludwigia peruviana and Sphagneticola trilobata for Heavy Metal Contamination
			
	
 
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				Escuela Superior Politécnica Agropecuaria de Manabí Manuel Félix López, ESPAM - MFL, Calceta, Ecuador
				 
			 
										
				
				
		
		 
			
			
		
		
		
		
		
		
	
							
					    		
    			 
    			
    				    					Corresponding author
    					    				    				
    					Ana Maria Aveiga   
    					Escuela Superior Politécnica Agropecuaria de Manabí Manuel Félix López, ESPAM - MFL, Calceta, Ecuador
    				
 
    			
				 
    			 
    		 		
			
																						 
		
	 
		
 
 
J. Ecol. Eng. 2023; 24(7):165-174
		
 
 
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ABSTRACT
Heavy metals are one of the leading environmental pollutants that are hazardous to the health of humans, soils, plants, and aquatic life. This study investigated the potential of Athyrium filix-femina, Ludwigia peruviana, and Sphagneticola trilobata for phytoextraction of Al, Ag, Cd, Cr, Ga, and Sr. To evaluate heavy metal uptake by the plants, a pot experiment was conducted using uncontaminated soil mixed with a heavy metal solution. At the end of thirty days of planting, the bioconcentration and translocation factors were calculated. Cd accumulated to a greater degree in the shoots of A. filix-femina and L. peruviana than in their roots (8% and 12%), respectively. Conversely, S. trilobata accumulated 27% more Cd in its roots than in its shoots. In all three plant species, roots had significantly higher heavy metal concentrations than shoots. These findings demonstrate that L. peruviana, A. filix-femina, and S. trilobata have high potential for phytoextraction and bioaccumulation of Cd, Sr, Ag, and Ga. The herbaceous nature of these plants, coupled with their deep roots and rapid growth rates, make them promising candidates for phytoremediation in heavy metal-contaminated soils.