You are here:
USE OF VASCULAR AQUATIC PLANTS IN PHYTOTOXICITY STUDIES WITH SEDIMENTS
Citation:
Weber, D., G. Walsh, AND M. MacGregor. USE OF VASCULAR AQUATIC PLANTS IN PHYTOTOXICITY STUDIES WITH SEDIMENTS. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/J-95/436.
Description:
Sediments and rooted aquatic plants are major components of wetland systems. ediments in these systems act as sinks and reservoirs for organic and inorganic pollutants that are adsorbed to sediment particles or contained-in interstitial water that exists between the particle spaces of sediments. ediments release toxic materials to aquatic environments through processes that include resuspension, desorption, and bioturbation. n sediment systems, aquatic plants are affected by toxic materials through direct effects on root growth or rhizosphere microorganisms, or by the assimilation and translocation of chemical substances to aerial organs, where they may injure foliage or inhibit growth and seed production. rocedures are being developed to identify the effects of contaminated sediments on aquatic plants through use of laboratory toxicity toots involving natural and artificial sediments, and a group of rooted aquatic species.