Kinetic model of copper degradation through the use of Pontederia azurea (Water hyacinth) and Hydrilla verticillate (Hydrilla)

Abstract

This research consisted of analyzing the phytoremediation capacity of Camalote and Hydrilla using a kinetic model of consumption speed. An experimental assembly was performed for each plant in triplicate form, each with a low, medium and high load in copper concentrations (10 mg/L, 20 mg/L, 30 mg/L), its behavior was analyzed for 8 days, where parameters such as alkalinity were taken into account, carbonate and hydrogen potential. In order to evaluate the consumption kinetics, a decrease of 90% was obtained for Camalote and 86% for Hydrilla in the concentration of 10 mg/L and in concentrations of 20 mg/L of copper, a decrease of 65% was obtained for Camalote, and 60% for Hydrilla. Both plants maintained an acceptable adaptation against metal, being the Camalote plant with the highest consumption. The variation in hydrogen potential behaved inversely in relation to copper concentrations.