الفهرس 
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Abstract
In this work were studied the potential of a submerged plant, M. spicatum, to
play a significant role in phytoremediation of stable or radioactive non-essential
metals such as cobalt and cesium that can be a source of radio-contamination of
aquatic environment after nuclear accidents or uncontrolled applications of artificial
radioisotopes. Investigation of other scarcely studied plants should be intensified in
order to discover innovative alternatives for conventional remediation methods.
Several parameters were applied to evaluate the performance of the nominated plant
under different conditions such as pH-value of the contaminated medium,
concentration of spiked elements, illumination intensity, biomass amount of the plant,
contact time, competition between metals and finally the effect of radioactivity.
Despite the toxicity of examined metals or at least its unrecognized utility for plants,
more than 90% of cobalt and 60% of cesium were stabilized during the first 24h on
the treatment operation. Moreover, these values of decontamination were recorded in
case of using radioisotopes of the same examined metals (60Co and 137Cs).
It could be concluded from this study that the most suitable conditions for proper
remediation were a contact time of 40 h, neutral or slightly alkaline aqueous medium,
3 g of plant for remediation of 100 mL wastewater, high or moderate illumination and
elimination of only one metal separately to prevent metal ions competition; finally, a
relatively high radioactivity is beneficial for enhanced decontamination.
More studies are required to affirm the promising importance of M. spicatum for