Evaluation of Heavy Metal Removal Using Phragmites Australis (Cav.) and Schoenoplectus Californicus (C.A. Mey.): A Comparison of the Dry Ashing and Wet Digestion Method

This study presents the evaluation of heavy metal removal using Phragmites australis (Cav.) and Schoenoplectus californicus (C.A. Mey.) in a laboratory wetland test (10-days). Two digestion methods: Dry Ashing and Wet Digestion to determine the final concentration of heavy metal in the roots and stems of both plants were used. The final concentration of Cu (5.14 φg g^-1), Zn (27.34 φg g^-1), and Fe (107.91 φg g^-1) were determined in the roots of the Schoenoplectus californicus (C.A. Mey.). While in its stems the highest concentration of Pb (1.69 φg g^-1) was founded. In Phragmites australis (Cav.) the high concentrations of Cu (2.44 φg g^-1), Zn (5.22 φg g^-1), and Fe (28.10 φg g^-1) are found in the roots and Pb (0.70 φg g^-1) in the stems. Regardless of the plants studied, the Wet Digestion method was the most suitable pretreatment method for determining Cu and Fe concentrations, while the Dry Ashing method was the best for Zn and Pb.