Nickel and phosphorous sorption efficiencies, tissue accumulation kinetics and morphological effects on Eichhornia crassipes

The aim of the research was to assess the uptake efficiencies of Ni and P, their distribution in tissues along time and their toxic effects on the internal and external morphologies of Eichhornia crassipes. Aquaria with plants exposed to 1 mg Ni l(-1) or 5 mg P l(-1) and control were arranged in triplicate. Water and plants (aerial parts and roots) were sampled along 30 days. Ni uptake and tissue bioaccumulation kinetics was significantly faster than that of P. Mean root length, number of leaves, biomass and chlorophyll concentration were negatively affected by Ni, while these parameters were significantly increased by P in comparison with the control. Stele and metaxylem vessel cross-sectional areas (CSA) in the P treatment were significantly lower in comparison with that obtained in the Ni treatment and in control. Metaxylem vessels CSA in plants exposed to Ni were significantly higher while the number of vessels was significantly lower than those obtained in the control. Despite the toxic effects, E. crassipes efficiently accumulated Ni, probably due to the morphological plasticity of its root system.