Accumulation and distribution of macroelements in the organs of Phalaris arundinacea L.: Implication for phytoremediation

The aim of this study was to assess nutrient and alkali metal accumulation and their distribution in the organs of Phalaris arundinacea and relations between environmental macroelement concentrations and accumulation in plant tissues. The content of N, P, K, Ca, Mg and Na in water, bottom sediments and different organs of Phalaris arundinacea from the Bystrzyca River (Lower Silesia) was determined. The organs of the reed canary grass contained relatively high amounts of macroelements and differed significantly in their accumulation. All macroelements other than Na were accumulated in the highest amounts in aboveground, photosynthetic tissues. Phalaris arundinacea is an Na and Ca excluder plant and an N, P, Mg and K accumulator. Transport efficiency from bottom sediments to plant roots was higher than between plant organs. Nitrogen, P and K are taken up actively while Ca passively. The high translocation ratio of nutrients, particularly for Ca, Mg, K and N, makes the reed canary grass suitable for nutrient phytoextraction from water and bottom sediments of eutrophic lakes and rivers. Bottom sediments can be considered the primary source of Ca for Phalaris arundinacea.