PHYTOREMEDIATION OF DANUBE WATER, AS A SUPPLY SOURCE FOR A RECIRCULATING AQUACULTURE SYSTEM, THROUGH THE USE OF LEMNA MINOR

M.D. Popa, Elena Mocanu, Viorica Savin

Abstract
   In order to use the Danube water as a supply source for a recirculating system, an attempt was made to use L. minor for phytoremediation by bioaccumulation of lead, a heavy metal that is toxic to aquatic life. The experiment was designed to achieve a gradient of concentrations to determine the most effective conditions for removing lead. In the first experimental variant, the Danube water was used undiluted as a growth medium, in the second experimental variant the Danube water represented 75% of the growth medium and in the last experimental variant the Danube water represented 50% of the growth medium, the experiment being performed in triplicate. The best percentage of lead removal was achieved in the aquarium with 100% Danube water, obtaining a reduction of lead in the water volume by 97.86±0.1%. The species L. minor can be used successfully for phytoremediation of Danube water, in order to use it as a water source for a recirculating aquaculture system.