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• In situ experiments to determine the uptake of copper by the aquatic macrophyte Najas tenuifolia R. Br (PDF 213 KB)

About the report

In situ experiments, in which ionic copper was added to an enclosed area of the aquatic macrophyte Naias tenuifolia R.Br., showed that this plant can rapidly (in around six hours) take up considerable amounts of the added copper. Epiphytes (and their associated microfauna) present on this macrophyte took up the added copper even more rapidly, but also seemed to release the copper equally fast. At the end of the three day experiment 30% to 60% of the added copper was associated with the macrophytes and 15% to 20% was still in the water column. The remainder of the copper was associated with the 'epiphyte component', the sediments and probably also the walls of the plastic enclosure.