Assessment of Salvinia molesta for phytoremediation potential of copper and lead in contaminated water: Their impact on morpho-physio-cytological status.

This study evaluates the phytotoxic and cytogenetic effects of copper (Cu) and lead (Pb) on the aquatic fern Salvinia molesta, with emphasis on its potential for phytoremediation of heavy metal-contaminated water. Plants were exposed to graded concentrations (20, 40, 120 and 200 µmol/L) of Cu and Pb for 15 days. Pb exposure induced visible morphological alterations, while Cu had minimal structural impact. Both metals caused a dose-dependent reduction in chlorophyll (up to 60.82 % by Pb at 200 µmol/L) and protein content, accompanied by increased proline accumulation and elevated antioxidant enzyme activity, such as Superoxide dismutase, Catalase and Peroxidase, indicating oxidative stress responses. Cytological analysis revealed a significant decrease in mitotic index and increased chromosomal abnormalities, including c-mitosis, stickiness, laggards, and anaphase bridges, suggesting genotoxicity. Metal accumulation studies confirmed substantial uptake, with maximum tissue concentrations of 3755.47 mg/kg dry weight (dw) for Cu and 2362 mg/kg dw for Pb at 200 µmol/L. S. molesta exhibited extraction coefficients > 1 and a translocation factor > 1 for Cu, highlighting its effective submerged leaf-to-shoot metal transport. These findings underscore the potential of S. molesta as a sustainable, low-cost bioindicator and phytoremediator for Cu and Pb in aquatic ecosystems.