Abstract
Surfactants removal capabilities and mechanisms around the rhizosphere of giant duckweed were investigated. From the roots of the weeds cultivated with various environmental water, almost 1010 CFU/g-roots d.w. of microorganisms were gained and the microbial flora were different from that of water samples. The continuous batch cultivation test showed that the acclimation of the rhizo-communities enhanced (or improved) the rhizodegradation and the symbiotic systems removed the artificial surfactants (LAS, SDS, AE, NPE) immediately. The bacterial degradation activities around the rhizosphere were accelerated by the oxygen release from the plant roots. These results indicate that the plant-microbe systems play an important role in the biodegradation, bioconversion and removal of chemical compounds in the water environment.
