Uranium removal from water by five aquatic plants
五种水生植物对水中铀的去除作用

Hydroponic solution culture experiments were conducted on the growth of Eichhornia crassipes, Lemna minor L, Azolla imbircata, Potamogeton crispus, and Alligator alternanthera Herb in water with 0.15, 1.50 and 15.00 mg·L-1 concentrations of uranium. The uranium removal from the water by the aquatic plants was also examined. For the 21 days of hydroponic solution culture experiments, Azolla imbircata exhibited the strongest resistance to uranium and its growth inhibition rates induced by the water with 0.15,1.50 and 15.00 mg·L-1 concentrations of uranium were 4.56%,2.48%,6.79%, respectively. The uranium removal rates from the water by the plant amounted to 94%, 97% and 92%, respectively. Further experiments revealed that the most uranium removal could be achieved when 7.5 g Azolla imbircata was grown in 1 L of water. 17, 19, 23 and 25 days were required for the plant with the uranium concentration in water of 1.25,2.50,5.00 and 10.00 mg·L-1 to reduce to below the national emission standards of China, respectively. The results have laid foundation for further studies of phytoremediation of uranium contaminated water.