Enhanced Phytoremediation of Bisphenol A in Polluted Lake Water by Seedlings of <i>Ceratophyllum demersum</i> and <i>Myriophyllum spicatum</i> from In Vitro Culture

• Main Authors: Chong Zhao, Guosen Zhang, Jinhui Jiang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-01-01
• Series: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Subjects: submerged macrophytes; indigenous microorganisms; phytoremediation; bisphenol A; in vitro culture
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/2/810
• ISSN: 1661-7827; 1660-4601

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a typical endocrine disruptor that causes problems in waters all around the world. In this study, the effects of submerged macrophytes (<i>Ceratophyllum demersum</i> and <i>Myriophyllum spicatum</i>) cultured in vitro on the removal of BPA at two initial concentrations (0.5 mg L⁻¹ vs. 5.0 mg L⁻¹) from Donghu lake water were investigated, using different biomass densities (2 g L⁻¹ vs. 10 g L⁻¹) under different nutrient conditions (1.85 mg L⁻¹ and 0.039 mg L⁻¹ vs. 8.04 mg L⁻¹ and 0.175 mg L⁻¹ of the total nitrogen and phosphorus concentration, respectively), together with the effect of indigenous microorganisms in the water. The results showed that indigenous microorganisms had limited capacity for BPA removal, especially at higher BPA initial concentration when its removal rate amounted to about 12% in 12 days. Addition with plant seedlings (5 cm in length) greatly enhanced the BPA removal, which reached 100% and over 50% at low and high BPA initial concentration in 3 days, respectively. Higher biomass density greatly favored the process, resulting in 100% of BPA removal at high BPA initial concentration in 3 days. However, increases in nutrient availability had little effect on the BPA removal by plants. BPA at 10.0 mg L⁻¹ significantly inhibited the growth of <i>M. spicatum</i>. Therefore, <i>C. demersum</i> may be a candidate for phytoremediation due to greater efficiency for BPA removal and tolerance to BPA pollution. Overall, seedlings of submerged macrophytes from in vitro culture showed great potential for use in phytoremediation of BPA in natural waters, especially <i>C. demersum</i>.