Uptake and accumulation of heavy metals by Typha latifolia in wetlands of the Sudbury, Ontario region

Abstract

The accumulation of Cu, Ni, Zn, Fe, Mn, Mg and Ca in tissues of T. latifolia along a 76-km transect extending northwest from Sudbury, was investigated. Despite high levels of Cu and Ni in the soil-sediment material, these metals were largely excluded from aboveground tissues of T. latifolia. Concentraitons of Fe in tissues of T. latifolia were unusually low and may reflect induced Fe deficiency. The patterns of uptake of all the metals (except Ca) were similar. Roots showed higher concentrations than the rhizomes and aboveground parts and young leaf tissue (leaf bases) showed lower concentrations than older leaf tissue (leaf tips). Concentrations of Zn, Mg and Ca accumulated in tisssues of T. latifolia were not correlated with soil-sediment metal concentrations. Concentrations of Cu and Ni in belowground and reproductive tissues were correlated with soil-sediment concentrations; concentrations in the leaves were not. Accumulation of Fe and Mn in all plant tissues was correlated with concentrations in the soil-sediment material. Soil-sediment pH, Eh and organic C content may have affected the uptake of metals by T. latifolia. The effects of any of these factors in isolation may have been obscured by the variation in other physical or biotic factors.