Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Advances in Biology, Charles D. Grant, Editör, NOVA Science Publishers Inc. , New York, ss.1-38, 2024
The escalating trends of industrialization and urbanization have precipitated the swift contamination of vital freshwater reservoirs by environmental pollution. Inorganic chemicals, notably heavy metals (HMs), give rise to a spectrum of environmental and economic issues. Furthermore, these contaminants exert deleterious effects on soil and water quality, as well as on the nutritional dynamics of plants and animals, consequently impacting human health. HMs such as zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), arsenic (As), and chromium (Cr) rank among the most pervasive water pollutants, posing a significant menace to the environment. The indispensability of water for human sustenance, coupled with an increasing global awareness of environmental matters, especially within aquatic ecosystems, has spurred researchers worldwide to focus on the development of cost-effective and environmentally friendly technologies for the removal of both organic and inorganic pollutants, thereby enhancing water quality.
In this context, phytoremediation emerges as a promising and sustainable technology for the removal of inorganic pollutants from freshwater sources. However, the efficacy of phytoremediation varies among plant species due to differences in growth patterns, biomass production, developmental stages, and pollution levels. Among aquatic plants, a free-floating fern, Azolla, characterized by its rapid growth, and nitrogen-fixing properties, stands out as a compelling candidate for the extraction, disposal, and recovery of pollutants from aquatic ecosystems. Azolla species demonstrate a notable capacity for phytoremediation and bioconcentration in media contaminated with HMs. Nevertheless, it is crucial to acknowledge that HM concentrations exert morphological, physiological, and molecular effects on plants.
This review critically assesses the physiological, biochemical, and molecular impacts of HMs contamination on Azolla species, shedding light on the potential application of this plant for phytoremediation purposes.