Accumulation of copper by the aquatic macrophyte Salvinia biloba Raddi (Salviniaceae) / Acumulação de cobre pela macrófita aquática Salvinia biloba Raddi (Salviniaceae)

Abstract Aquatic macrophytes have properties and mechanisms which are useful for the removal of substances in solution, commonly used in phytoremediation processes in aquatic environments. This study evaluated the performance of copper (Cu) accumulation by Salvinia biloba Raddi (Salviniaceae) in different metal concentrations (1, 3 and 5 µg mL-1), as well as the control treatment, measured at intervals of 0, 7 and 14 days under laboratory conditions, with control as to pH and luminosity. After the experiment, the S. biloba biomass was washed, kiln dried, crushed and subjected to the process of digestion, and subsequently the accumulated copper content was determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The results showed that S. biloba is apt at accumulating copper, varying significantly between different treatments and days of exposure to the contaminant, as well as its interaction (treatment × days). The highest accumulation values were observed in treatment with 5 µg mL-1, which at 14 days, with 11,861 µg g-1 of copper. We observed symptoms of toxicity and mortality in plants, probably indicating the effect of copper on the species when at high levels. Salvinia biloba is an efficient species in the removal of copper in solution, its recommendation as a remediating agent in aquatic ecosystems being possible.

Resumo Macrófitas aquáticas apresentam propriedades e mecanismos úteis à remoção de substâncias presentes em solução, comumente, utilizadas em processos de fitorremediação de ambientes aquáticos. Este estudo avaliou o desempenho de acumulação de cobre (Cu) por Salvinia biloba Raddi (Salviniaceae) em diferentes concentrações do metal (1, 3 e 5 µg mL-1), além do tratamento controle, avaliados em intervalos de 0, 7 e 14 dias, sob condições laboratoriais, com controle de pH e luminosidade. Após o experimento a biomassa de S. biloba, foi lavada, seca em estufa, triturada e submetida ao processo de digestão, sendo, posteriormente, o teor de cobre acumulado determinado por espectroscopia de absorção atômica. Os resultados evidenciaram que S. biloba é hábil em acumular cobre em sua biomassa, variando significativamente entre os diferentes tratamentos e dias de exposição ao contaminante, bem como por sua interação (tratamentos × dias). Os maiores teores de acúmulo foram observados no tratamento com 5 µg mL-1, que aos 14 dias apresentou até 11.861 µg g-1 de Cu. Observamos sintomas de toxicidade e mortalidade nas plantas, evidenciando, provavelmente, o efeito do cobre sobre a espécie quando em elevados níveis. Salvinia biloba é uma espécie eficiente na remoção do cobre em solução, sendo possível sua recomendação como agente de remediação em ecossistemas aquáticos.

Ciclos biogeoquímicos en bosques naturales y plantaciones de coníferas en ecosistemas de alta montaña de Colombia

Biogeochemical cycles in natural forest and conifer plantations in the high mountains of Colombia. Plant litter production and decomposition are two important processes in forest ecosystems, since they provide the main organic matter input to soil and regulate nutrient cycling. With the aim to study these processes, litterfall, standing litter and nutrient return were studied for three years in an oak forest (Quercus humboldtii), pine (Pinus patula) and cypress (Cupressus lusitanica) plantations, located in highlands of the Central Cordillera of Colombia. Evaluation methods included: fine litter collection at fortnightly intervals using litter traps; the litter layer samples at the end of each sampling year and chemical analyses of both litterfall and standing litter. Fine litter fall observed was similar in oak forest (7.5Mg ha/y) and in pine (7.8Mg ha/y), but very low in cypress (3.5Mg ha/y). Litter standing was 1.76, 1.73 and 1.3Mg ha/y in oak, pine and cypress, respectively. The mean residence time of the standing litter was of 3.3 years for cypress, 2.1 years for pine and 1.8 years for oak forests. In contrast, the total amount of retained elements (N, P, S, Ca, Mg, K, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn) in the standing litter was higher in pine (115kg/ha), followed by oak (78kg/ha) and cypress (24kg/ha). Oak forests showed the lowest mean residence time of nutrients and the highest nutrients return to the soil as a consequence of a faster decomposition. Thus, a higher nutrient supply to soils from oaks than from tree plantations, seems to be an ecological advantage for recovering and maintaining the main ecosystem functioning features, which needs to be taken into account in restoration programs in this highly degraded Andean mountains. Rev. Biol. Trop. 59 (4): 1883-1894. Epub 2011 December 01.

La caída y descomposición de hojarasca representan los principales ingresos de materia orgánica y nutrientes a los ecosistemas forestales. Se estudiaron la caída y acumulación de hojarasca fina y el retorno de nutrientes, en un robledal (Quercus humboldtii) y en plantaciones de pino (Pinus patula) y ciprés (Cupressus lusitanica) en tierras altas de Colombia. La caída de hojarasca fina fue similar entre el robledal (7.5Mg/ha.a) y el pinar (7.8Mg/ha.a), y muy inferior en el cipresal (3.5Mg/ha.a). El mantillo representó 1.76, 1.73 y 1.3Mg/ha.a en el robledal, pinar y cipresal, respectivamente. El tiempo medio de residencia (TMR) del mantillo siguió la secuencia: cipresal (3.3 años)>pinar (2.1 años)>robledal (1.8 años). La cantidad de nutrientes retenidos en el mantillo siguió la secuencia: pinar (115kg/ ha)>robledal (78kg/ha)>cipresal (24kg/ha). Los menores TMR de nutrientes se presentaron para la hojarasca foliar del robledal, en su mayoría inferiores a 1.0 años. En términos de la función ecosistémica en el robledal los procesos estudiados son muy superiores vía provisión de nutrientes al suelo y regulación de los ciclos biogeoquímicos, aspectos que deben ser considerados previa implementación de programas de repoblamiento forestal.