Boron removal from contaminated water by two aquatic plants of Zannichellia palustris L. and Ruppia maritima L

With the increase of population, the demand for proper water resources is increased. Native Iranian aquatic plants have a significant role in self-remediation of water resources. Phytoremediation by aquatic plants is a low cost and effective way to increase the quality of waters for different purposes.
In this study, phytoremediation of boron-contaminated aquatic environments was examined by cultivating two aquatic plants of Zannichellia palustris L. and Ruppia maritima L. in the greenhouse over 120 h in boron-contaminated water with adding different concentrations (0, 1, 5 and 10 mg L-1).
The obtained results showed that these plants are able to uptake high amount of boron, and the boron removal efficiency in both plants observed to be more than 70%. Uptake indices in Zannichellia palustris L. and Ruppia maritima L. were calculated as 0.51 to 8.16 mg per pot and 0.18 to 8.14 mg per pot, respectively. Biomass production measurement index of Zannichellia palustris L. reduced with increase of boron contamination, while this index for Ruppia maritima L. had no significant change, indicating that Ruppia maritima L. has a higher resistance to boron contamination. According to the results, boron phytoremediation of contaminated waters by these plants is proposed.