LEAD UPTAKE IN LEMNA MINOR (DUCKWEED) AT DIFFERENT ACIDITIES

This study seeks to further examine the heavy metal bioremediation potential of a species of duckweed, Lemna minor. Previous research suggests that various species of aquatic plants, including duckweed, can accumulate heavy metals. However, these studies often examined the remediation potential at near neutral pH. Ponded water contaminated by heavy metals can be highly acidic. Thus, in order to better understand the potential of Lemna minor to be an effective bioremediation of heavy metals, it is necessary to test it in aqueous solutions of different acidity. Therefore, this study quantifies the amount of lead that Lemna minor is capable of accumulating in solutions of different acidities between pH of 5 and 8. Lemna minor cannot survive at pH levels outside this range. Initial tests have shown that Lemna minor, like other species of duckweed, can uptake significant quantities of lead from contaminated water. However, in order to understand the remediation potential of this species, it is necessary to determine how acidity outside of the neutral condition affects the uptake of lead.