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6699255 
Journal Article 
Toxicity and removal efficiency of pharmaceutical metabolite clofibric acid by Typha spp. - Potential use for phytoremediation? 
Dordio, AnaV; Duarte, C; Barreiros, M; Carvalho, AJP; Pinto, AP; da Costa, CT; , 
2009 
Yes 
Bioresource Technology
ISSN: 0960-8524
EISSN: 1873-2976 
ELSEVIER SCI LTD 
OXFORD 
1156-1161 
18835156 
WOS:000261569100018 
A study was conducted to assess Typho spp.'s ability to withstand and remove, from water, a metabolite of blood lipid regulator drugs, clofibric acid (CA). At a concentration of 20 mu g L-1, Typha had removed >50% of CA within the first 48 h, reaching a maximum of 80% by the end of the assay. Experimental conditions assured that photodegradation, adsorption to vessel walls and microbial degradation did not contribute to the removal. Exposure to higher CA concentrations did not affect Typha's photosynthetic pigments but the overall increase in enzyme activity (ascorbate and guaiacol peroxidases, catalase, superoxide dismutase) indicates that both roots and leaves were affected by the xenobiotic. Eventually, Typha seemed able to cope with the CA's induced oxidative damage suggesting its ability for phytoremediation of CA contaminated waters. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.