The Translocation of Lead and Copper in Two Submerged Aquatic Angiosperm Species

Abstract

The translocation of lead and copper was studied in two species of submerged aquatic angiosperm, Potamogeton crispus L. and Potamogeton pectinatus L. A perspex container incorporating a potters' clay seal around the stems of intact plants was designed for the chemical separation of the shoot and root environments during 11–21 d treatment periods. Metal solutions were added to the root or shoot environments and concentrations were monitored in waters and sediments. A technique was developed for the direct quantitative analysis of metals in small (0.02–0.2 mg) segments of water plant tissue, using the graphite rod attachment to an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Experimental results indicated minimal translocation of lead, but extensive acropetal translocation of copper to particular sites of accumulation.