pre-fire post-fire Figure 1. Proof‑of‑principle results showing phytoremediation by Lemna minor cultured in magnesium, chromium, and copper solutions. The resulting color residues indicate metal contamination and are demonstrated through the use of the biomass as an underglaze dye on ceramic tiles for visual reference.
Section 1: Abstract Environmental pollution caused by anthropogenic activity, particularly heavy metal contamination, has created an increasing need for sustainable and cost-effective methods of environmental monitoring and remediation. Lemna minEr, a project supervised by Dr. Andrew Scarpelli, explores the use of phytoremediation to address water scarcity and contamination caused by industrial metal pollution. The project focuses on engineering a transgenic Lemna minor (duckweed) system with enhanced copper uptake, tolerance, and accumulation capabilities.