ABSTRACT
Many studies have demonstrated the Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth) potency in removing heavy metals, but the plant's potential for sorption of gadolinium (Gd) has not yet been investigated. In this study, water hyacinth was grown in a glass container for 30 days with either GdCl3 or Gd-based contrast agent (GBCA; gadoterate) with water obtained from the Tone River. On the day 30, the Gd concentration in both the water and the plants was measured by mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). After 30 days, 98.5% of GdCl3 in the water had been absorbed by the roots, and 3.5% of Gd was transferred to the leaves. On the other hand, the water hyacinth roots absorbed only 12% of the gadoterate. When exposed to 5 mg/L of GdCl3, the roots of water hyacinth may effectively remove Gd ions in the aquatic environment, with no visible effect on the general health of the plant. However, the water hyacinth roots did not absorb GBCA. This may result in higher accumulation of Gd in the aqueous environment. The GBCA may be broken down by environmental factors and negatively affect the marine ecosystem.
This study highlights the potential capability of water hyacinths in reducing the increasing gadolinium in the environment, which may be of value in optimizing the phytoremediation of medical waste.
