Effects of aquatic macrophytes on concentrations of contaminents in mesocosms

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingAbstract

Abstract

Aquatic macrophytes play important structural and functional roles in aquatic ecosystems. For example, they change their chemical environment by increasing pH and the diurnal variation thereof, cause fluctuations in dissolved O2 levels and produce organic matter, both solid as well as dissolved organic carbon (DOC). Such changes in the chemical environment affect both concentration and speciation of contaminants in aquatic ecosystems. To determine the magnitude of such changes, experiments were conducted to monitor the impact of macrophyte growth form and macrophyte biomass on concentration and speciation of contaminants in various ecosystem compartments, i.e. sediment, plants and surface water. Effects of growth form were studied in a potted-plants experiment performed in mesocosms. The effects of biomass were studied in four flow-through experimental ditches. Concentrations of pesticides (dimethoate, ¿-cyhalothrin, metribuzin and imidacloprid), pharmaceuticals (ibuprofen) and heavy metals zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) were monitored over time. Concentrations of Cu and Zn diminished rapidly, the decrease
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the SETAC Europe 21st Annual Meeting, 15-19 May 2011, Milan, Italy
Place of PublicationBrussel
PublisherSETAC
PagesWEPC2-8
Publication statusPublished - 2011
EventEcosystem Protection in a Sustainable World: a Challenge for Science and Regulation, Milan, Italy -
Duration: 15 May 2011 → …

Conference/symposium

Conference/symposiumEcosystem Protection in a Sustainable World: a Challenge for Science and Regulation, Milan, Italy
Period15/05/11 → …

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