ABSTRACT

This article describes the analysis of the ability of duckweed (Lemna minor) to phytoremediate iron concentrations, comparing them with the ability of hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) for seven days. To carry out this study, dechlorinated water was used, to which ferrous sulfate (II) heptahydrate (FeSO4∙7H2O) was added, and the different chemical and physical characteristics of the water were analyzed. Both the duckweed and the hydrilla presented a similar initial absorption capacity during the first 48 hours of the experiment, presenting a reduction percentage of the iron concentration in the water of 49.07% by the duckweed and 42.90% by the water lentils. for the hydrilla. By increasing the time interval (t > 1 day), the absorption process was gradually slowed down until a minimum reduction percentage of 1.10% was obtained for duckweed and 15.93% for hydrilla before presenting a desorption of 4.44% and 22.73% respectively at the end of the experiment. The hydrilla, with a percentage of iron reduction of 53.02%, compared to 51.44% of duckweed. Both species showed a great capacity to remove iron in water, with the potential to be an economically viable method for the phytoremediation of iron in an aquatic environment.

AUTHORS
Alexandra Bustamante,
Marieth González
Alejandra Montero Solano
Eileen Valdivieso