Typha domingensis (Pers.) Poir. ex Steud. Potential to Restore Contaminated Wetlands in Egypt

Several studies have reported Typha domingensis (Typhaceae) as a heavy metal (HM) hyperaccumulator. This study aims to assess the seasonal variations in the accumulation potential of T. domingensis (TD) for HM in polluted wetlands in Greater Cairo, Egypt. Sampling of fresh wild plants from the TD’s subterranean (Root and stem) and surface components were gathered from different polluted sites distributed in the canal of Ismailia and Nahia drain, as well as from the River Nile as an unpolluted site (control). The findings showed that pollution negatively affected the chemical characteristics of sediment and water. Except for the TD’s leaf area, there were significant seasonal variations in the growth characteristics (density, stem diameter, leaf length, and width, fresh and dry biomass). The subterranean parts stored higher amounts of HM than the aboveground shoots. Manganese (Mn) concentration (413.2 mg kg) was greater in the roots of autumn plants, whereas their shoots recorded the highest Pb (225.8 mg kg). Al, Cd, Cu, Fe, Ni, and Zn concentrations in summer plant roots (1499.9, 74.8,1356.1, 3948.8, 403.8, and 1294.2 mgkg, respectively). The factor of metal bioaccumulation (BF) values, was high in TD plants growing in a polluted Ismailia canal, but translocation factor (TF) values for all measured elements were lower than one, except for Pb. Summer is the best season for TD growth to sequester high HM concentrations. The authors recommended that TD be employed to mitigate HM pollution in wetlands and restore them.