The ability of aquatic plants Lemna minor and Ceratophyllum demersum as lead heavy metal (Pb) phytoremediator

Irawanto R, Munandar AA. 2017. Capability of minor aquatic plants Lemna minor and Ceratophyllum demersum as lead heavy metal phytoremediator (Pb). Pros Sem Nas Masy Biodiv Indon 3: 446-452. Water pollution caused by human activities has an impact on environmental damage, especially on agricultural cultivation. One way to overcome environmental pollution is by phytoremediation. Phytoremediation can use aquatic plants. Some species of aquatic plants found in open water or agricultural irrigation, and can grow quickly is Lemna minor (mata ikan) and Ceratophyllum demersum (gangang air). In addition, the plant is acting on several studies to have phytoremediation ability in improving the quality of contaminated water. This study aims to determine the ability of minor aquatic plants L. minor and C. demersum as phytoremediator in accumulating lead (Pb) in water contaminated heavy metal waste. Phytoremediation research was conducted during March to June 2017 at Purwodadi Botanical Garden, LIPI, with Pb metal analysis using AAS (Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy) in Chemistry Laboratory of FMIPA, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, East Java. The research stages consist of determination of RFT (Range Finding Test) and experiment on aquatic plants using RAL (Complete Random Design) with 6 treatments and 3 replications. In RFT with Pb metal concentrations of 5, 10, 15 and 20 ppm. L. minor is known to survive up to 20 ppm, while C. demersum only lasts at 5 ppm. From the results of the RFT, the concentration of Pb used is 2 and 5 ppm, so that both types can act as phytoremediator. The results of this study showed that aquatic plants effectively decreased the heavy metal content of Pb up to 81.1% in C. demersum and 75.5% in L. minor.