Study of Interactions between Extreme Concentrations of Organic Solvents and Freshwater Plants: Toxicity and Tolerance

In this article, the effects of high concentrations of four types of organic solvents (benzene, toluene, chloroform, pyridine) on three types of aquatic plants (Ceratophyllum demersum L., Elodea canadensis Mchk., Chara fragilis D.) were studied. The experiments were conducted in laboratory (freshwater) microcosms. The tested pollutant concentrations reached 5000 times the Maximum Allowable Concentration (MACs). The incubation temperature was maintained at 24 +/- 1.5 degrees C, with observations spanning 7 days (168 h). Macrophyte C. fragilis could not remain viable (death within 24 h). Macrophytes C. demersum and E. canadensis showed a relatively high level of resistance to water pollution by pyridine and chloroform. Therefore, these species may serve as potential candidates for phytoremediation of aquatic environments contaminated with these substances.