Phytoremediation of Copper-Contaminated Water Using Epipremnum aureum: Adsorption Mechanisms and Continuous Flow Performance in Green Wall Systems

The contamination of water with toxic metals, such as copper, poses significant environmental and public health challenges, necessitating sustainable treatment solutions. This study investigates the phytoremediation potential of Epipremnum aureum for the removal of Cu(II) from aqueous solutions under both static and dynamic conditions. Batch experiments were conducted using initial copper concentrations of 5, 10, 15, and 20 mg L−1, while a prototype vertical flow system (“green wall”) was implemented for continuous flow studies at 10 mg L−1. Copper removal efficiency, plant morphology, and kinetic behavior were monitored over four weeks. ATR-FTIR, SEM-EDX, and X-ray diffraction analyses were performed to elucidate the sorption mechanism. Results demonstrated that E. aureum tolerates copper concentrations up to 10 mg L−1 without significant morphological damage, achieving up to 70% removal in continuous flow, with sorption occurring via a combination of surface adsorption to oxygenated functional groups and intracellular absorption. At higher concentrations (≥15 mg L−1), plants exhibited severe stress and necrosis, limiting their remediation capacity. The findings indicate that E. aureum is effective for moderate copper contamination and provide mechanistic insights into its metal uptake processes, highlighting its suitability for integration into sustainable water treatment systems. This work contributes to the development of eco-friendly, plant-based strategies for toxic metal remediation, supporting advances in chemical and hybrid technologies for safe water management.