Utilization of Mentha aquatica L. for removal of fecal pathogens and heavy metals from water of Bosna river, Bosnia and Herzegovina

The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential of Mentha aquatica L. for phytoremediation of water contaminated with heavy metals and fecal pathogens from Bosna river. The water was treated with M. aquatica for 5, 10, and 15 days consecutively after which it was analyzed for the various physicochemical and microbiological parameters.The initial concentration of cadmium (Cd) ranged from 3.644 to 6.108 mu g/l, while lead (Pb) varied between 0.1 and 1.386 mu g/l. After treatment, M. aquatica accumulated significant amounts of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) with the highest removal rates of 96.49% for Cd and 45.72% for Pb. Values of several physicochemical parameters were decreased after 15 days treatment period.All water samples were analyzed for enumeration of aerobic heterotrophic bacteria, total coliforms, and fecal coliforms by the membrane filtration. Removal efficiency was greater than 80% for microbiological parameters. The concentration of heavy metals was determined in different plant parts and subsequently, the translocation factor was determined. In M. aquatica plant parts, concentrations of Pb and Cd were increased after 15 days of treatment. Our results demonstrated that M. aquatica could be good candidates for the removal of fecal pathogens and heavy metals present in surface water.