Impacts of petrochemical-contaminated wastewater on Lemna minor L. and its phytoremediation efficiency in Makorhi, Karak, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Abstract
The increasing demand for energy has resulted in a significant rise in the exploration of petrochemical resources around the globe. In Pakistan, district Karak has several sites dedicated to petrochemical exploration. Effluents from these sites pose serious threats to the aquatic environment. This investigation aimed to evaluate the potential of Lemna minor for bio-assessment and phytoremediation of toxicants in the effluents from petrochemical sites. Various parameters, including biomass, frond number, biochemical endpoints, fresh and dry weight, and antioxidant indicators, were analyzed. Over seven days, L. minor cultures were exposed to wastewater at different concentrations (1, 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100 mg/L). Among the tested treatments, concentrated wastewater had a significant impact on the growth of biomass, fronds, and pigments, including total carotenoids, chlorophyll a, and chlorophyll b. Conversely, total soluble protein and sugar contents increased, likely due to the defense mechanisms of the plant against pollutants in the effluent. Furthermore, exposure of L. minor to wastewater resulted in substantial changes in several oxidative stress indicators. The findings indicate that toxicants in the wastewater induced oxidative stress in L. minor. Antioxidant enzymes, such as ascorbate peroxidase, lipid peroxidation, peroxidase, and catalase, showed a marked increase in activity in response to this stress. The bio-concentration factor for L. minor was calculated as 0.29 mg/L, highlighting its suitability for heavy metal bioaccumulation. In conclusion, the effluents from petrochemical sites negatively impact the aquatic environment, and L. minor proves to be an effective standard organism for wastewater bio-assessment and phytoremediation.
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.33804//pp.009.01.5457
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