International Journal of Aquaculture, 2024, Vol.14, No.3, 165-173 http://www.aquapublisher.com/index.php/ija 165 Feature Review Open Access Heavy Metal Tolerance in Aquatic Plants: Physiological Adaptations and Detoxification Strategies Liting Wang Hainan Institute of Biotechnology, Haikou, 570206, Hainan, China Corresponding email: 1559260335@qq.com 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 Copyright © 2024 Wang, 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. Preferred citation for this article: 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) Abstract 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. Keywords Aquatic plants; Heavy metal tolerance; Phytoremediation; Antioxidant defense systems; Phytochelatins; Metallothioneins 1 Introduction Heavy metal pollution in aquatic ecosystems has become a significant environmental concern due to its persistent and toxic nature. Industrialization, urbanization, and agricultural activities have led to the release of heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, mercury, and arsenic into water bodies, causing severe contamination (Kahlon et al., 2018; Shrestha et al., 2021). Unlike organic pollutants, heavy metals cannot be degraded and thus accumulate in the environment, posing long-term risks to aquatic life and human health (Dixit et al., 2015; Nguyen et al., 2020). The bioaccumulation and biomagnification of these metals in the food chain further exacerbate their impact, leading to detrimental effects on aquatic biota and ecosystems (Kahlon et al., 2018). Aquatic plants, particularly macrophytes, have shown remarkable potential in mitigating heavy metal pollution through phytoremediation. This green technology leverages the natural ability of plants to absorb, accumulate, and detoxify heavy metals from contaminated water and sediments (Demarco et al., 2023). The study of heavy metal tolerance in aquatic plants is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, understanding the physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying metal uptake and detoxification can enhance the efficiency of phytoremediation strategies (Dixit et al., 2015; Pang et al., 2023). Secondly, identifying hyperaccumulator species and optimizing their use in constructed wetlands and other remediation systems can provide cost-effective and sustainable solutions for water purification (Rezania et al., 2016; Komijani et al., 2021). Lastly, insights into the interaction between heavy metals and plant defense systems, including the role of phytohormones, can inform the development of more resilient plant varieties for environmental cleanup (Nguyen et al., 2020). This study aims to summarize the current knowledge on the types and sources of heavy metal pollution in aquatic ecosystems, discuss the various physiological mechanisms and molecular pathways involved in heavy metal uptake, translocation, and detoxification in aquatic plants, highlight the potential of different aquatic plant species in phytoremediation applications, with a focus on the aquatic plants such as Canadian waterweed (Elodea canadensis), Posidonia oceanica, Eelgrass (Zostera marina) and duckweed (Lemna minor), explore the role of
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