Trace metal bioindication and phytoremediation potentialities of Phalaris arundinacea L. (reed canary grass)

•Accumulation of most metals decreases as follows: roots > leaves > stems.•Transfer of metals between sediments and plant is higher than within its tissues.•Phalaris arundinacea can be used in Co and Zn bioindication and phytostabilization.•Reed canary grass is root accumulator of Zn, Mn, Co and Cd.•Trace metal concentration in plants depends on source of pollution.

In the present study, the contents of trace metals (Zn, Mn, Fe, Pb, Cu, Ni, Cd, Co and Cr) in water, bottom sediments and different organs of Phalaris arundinacea L. collected from the Bystrzyca River (Lower Silesia), that flows through regions with a high anthropopressure level, were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. The aims of this paper were to reveal various trace metal accumulation abilities of different organs of P. arundinacea and to investigate their potential use in the biomonitoring and phytoremediation of environmental trace metal pollution.Results showed that metal contents in various organs of the reed canary grass differed significantly. Trace metal concentrations found in the plant samples generally decreased in the following order: root > leaf > stem. Limited mobility and translocation of the metals once absorbed by the reed canary grass makes it an interesting species for phytostabilization of metal contaminated bottom sediments. The highest Zn and Pb concentrations were noted in P. arundinacea from agricultural fields. Also the reed canary grass from cities showed high accumulation of Pb and Zn mainly due to vehicle traffic. Plants tested from dam reservoirs and forests had low concentrations of most trace elements. The significant, positive correlations found between the content of Co and Zn in the environment and the levels of these elements in the organs of the reed canary grass indicate potential application of P. arundinacea in the biomonitoring of environmental contamination with these metals.