Flumequine uptake and the aquatic duckweed, Lemna minor L.

Phytotoxicity of Flumequine (F) on the aquatic duckweed, Lemna minor L., and plant drug uptake were evaluated by a simple ecotoxicological test. Flumequine, at all concentrations between 50 and 1000 mug L-1 tested, affected the plant growth: leaves and roots were damaged, but duckweed continued to grow on a five weeks period. Furthermore, increasing drug concentrations decreased the chlorophyll b content in plants. These effects depend on F uptake by plants, which is quite high (from 0.72 to 13.93 mug g(-1) plant dry weight). Based on this activity, Lemna can be taken into consideration as a tool for in situ remediation of drug contaminated waters: the presence of Lemna significantly lower the F concentration in culture media on a five weeks period. Results strongly support its remediation capability.