Ecophysiological assessment of aquatic plants in a Southern Türkiye Lake: heavy metal bioconcentration, phytochemicals, and biological activities

In the present study, the aquatic macrophytes of Golbasi Lake, located in Hatay Province, the southern part of Türkiye, were investigated for heavy metal pollution. The investigation focused on commonly found macrophytes, such as Ceratophyllum demersum, Lemna minor, and Salvinia natans, to assess cadmium, cobalt, copper, chromium, iron, lead, manganese, nickel, and zinc using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry. Nickel and lead concentrations exceeded the prescribed threshold values. Cadmium, lead, nickel, and zinc concentrations were higher, with copper and iron exceeding the critical values. Among the three species, L. minor showed the greatest accumulation of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn, with Cd concentrations approximately 2911% and 300% higher than those in C. demersum and S. natans, respectively. L. minor exhibited the highest total phenolic and flavonoid contents, which were approximately 24.9% and 34.2% higher, respectively, than those of C. demersum. In contrast, S. natans showed the highest DPPH radical-scavenging activity, approximately 14.4% higher than C. demersum. All the extracts showed antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus; the highest antibacterial activity was observed for L. minor. The present study thus shows the impact of agricultural, industrial, mining, and drainage activities on the Golbasi Lake ecosystem, highlighting the role of aquatic plants as bioindicators for heavy metal detection. The results emphasize the need to remove heavy metals before discharging them into Golbasi Lake and to implement effective environmental management strategies to maintain the balance of nature and the eco-sustainability of the Golbasi Lake ecosystem.