Liting Wang

Hainan Institute of Biotechnology, Haikou, 570206, Hainan, China
Author    Correspondence author
International Journal of Aquaculture, 2024, Vol. 14, No. 3   doi: 10.5376/ija.2024.14.0017
Received: 14 May, 2024    Accepted: 04 Jun., 2024    Published: 21 Jun., 2024

This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Wang L.T., 2024, Heavy metal tolerance in aquatic plants: physiological adaptations and detoxification strategies, International Journal of Aquaculture, 14(3): 165-173 (doi: 10.5376/ija.2024.14.0017)

This study explores the physiological adaptations and detoxification strategies of aquatic plants, focusing on key mechanisms such as chelation, sequestration, antioxidant defense systems, and the role of phytochelatins and metallothioneins. Key findings highlight the critical roles of antioxidant enzymes, cellular compartmentalization, and metal-binding peptides in mitigating heavy metal toxicity. Case studies on freshwater and marine plants, including Canadian waterweed (Elodea canadensis), Posidonia oceanica, Eelgrass (Zostera marina) and duckweed (Lemna minor), provide unique insights into species-specific and shared tolerance mechanisms. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for advancing phytoremediation technologies and offers potential applications in environmental management. By understanding these mechanisms and focusing on molecular and genetic advancements, we can enhance the efficacy of phytoremediation strategies, contributing to the sustainable management of heavy metal pollution in aquatic environments.

Aquatic plants; Heavy metal tolerance; Phytoremediation; Antioxidant defense systems; Phytochelatins; Metallothioneins