Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, cilt.23, sa.6, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
Heavy metal contamination in aquatic ecosystems poses a major threat to the environment. While nickel (Ni) plays a vital role in plant growth at low concentrations, excessive concentrations can induce toxicity, leading to genotoxicity and disrupting fundamental biological processes and cellular homeostasis in aquatic plants. This study focuses on evaluating the capacity of Alternanthera reineckii Briq (var. Lilacina), a hardy submerged aquatic plant, to remove Ni from freshwater and examines the subsequent physiological and genotoxic effects caused by Ni exposure. Samples were subjected to NiCl2.6H2O in a 0.2% Hoagland nutrient solution at concentrations of 0, 10, 25, 50, and 100 µM for 10 days. The results indicated a concentration-dependent increase in Ni accumulation. Although Ni concentrations did not meet the classical hyperaccumulation threshold, the calculated BCFs (ranging from 3 to 9) and TF values consistently > 1 suggest that A. reineckii possesses effective internal Ni translocation and moderate accumulation potential. The alterations in essential mineral nutrients, including Ca, Cu, B, and Zn, are indicative of physiological adjustments in response to exposure. ISSR marker analysis revealed noticeable changes in band intensity under various treatments. A high GTS value of 100% and low polymorphic changes suggest that the plant’s genetic integrity was largely preserved. The findings indicate that A. reineckii exhibits notable accumulation capabilities for Ni and has potential for the remediation of Ni-contaminated freshwater. Moreover, the efficacy of remediation may be further enhanced when used in combination with other plant species.