Heavy metal content of common reed (Phragmites australis/Cay./Trin. ex Steudel) and its periphyton in Hungarian shallow standing waters

Abstract

In order to reveal the actual effects of common reed (Phragmites australis (Cav) Trin. ex Steudel) and its periphyton complex on the water quality, studies on the heavy metal contents of common reed and its periphyton are important. This paper discusses the results of studies on heavy metal contents of the host plant-periphyton complex carried out in Lake Balaton, Lake Velence, Lake Fertő and Kis-Balaton Reservoir. A second goal was to study the effects of reed stands in different condition (healthy, transitional, die-back) on the structure of its periphyton and their role in water quality indication. Simultaneously with the reed and periphyton sampling, water samples were taken for investigation. We determined the wet mass of periphyton and after drying at 105 °C; the dry mass was measured and ash contents of reed and its periphyton samples were also determined. The concentration of 27 (Na, Mg, Ca, K, Zn, Cu, Cd, Cr, Pb, Mo, etc.) cations was determined from the reed, periphyton and water samples by ICP-AES method. The heavy metal content of reed and periphyton was especially high at places impacted by high anthropogenic loadings. On the basis of our results, the biofilter role of periphyton-reed complex can be confirmed. Since the main reasons of reed decline have not been revealed, future research has to focus on involving reed-periphyton studies also, which may provide good basis to find the most appropriate ways to protect and restore the reed communities of shallow standing waters.