Influences of Cadmium and Zinc Interaction and Humic Acid on Metal Accumulation in Ceratophyllum Demersum

Interactions between Zn and Cd on the accumulation of these metals in coontail, Ceratophyllum demersum were studied at different metal concentrations. Plants were grown in nutrient solution containing Cd (0.05–0.25 mg l^?1) and Zn (0.5–5 mgl^?1). High concentrations of Zn caused a significant decrease in Cd accumulation. In general, adding Cd solution decreased Zn accumulation in C. demersum except at the lowest concentration of Zn in which the Zn accumulation was similar to that without Cd. C. demersum could accumulate high concentrations of both Cd and Zn. The influence of humic acid (HA) on Cd and Zn accumulation was also studied. HA had a significant effect on Zn accumulation in plants. 2 mg l^?1 of HA reduced Zn accumulation at 1 mg l^?1 level (from 2,167 to 803 mg kg^?1). Cd uptake by plant tissue, toxicity symptoms and accumulation at 0.25 and 0.5 mg l^?1, were reduced (from 515 to 154 mg kg^?1 and from 816 to 305 mg kg^?1, respectively) by addition of 2 mg l^?1 of HA. Cd uptake reached a maximum on day 9 of treatment, while that of Zn was observed on day 15. Long-term accumulation study revealed that HA reduced toxicity and accumulation of heavy metals.     

Metal Uptake by Spontaneous Vegetation in Acidic Mine Tailings from a Semiarid Area in South Spain: Implications for Revegetation and Land Management

Tailings are frequently a source of pollution in mining areas due to the spread of metals from their bare surfaces via wind or runoff water. Phytostabilization is an interesting and low-cost option to decrease environmental risks in these sites. In this study, an acidic mine tailing (pH 3?C4) located in a semiarid area in Southeast Spain and the spontaneous vegetation which grow on were investigated. Soil samples were taken to characterize metal contamination, and three plant species, Lygeum spartum, Piptatherum miliaceum, and Helichrysum decumbens, were sampled in order to determine plant uptake of metals. The rhizosphere pH of H. decumbens was measured to be 6.7, which was significantly higher than the bulk soil (pH 3). The electrical conductivity values were around 2?C5 dS m^?1. Total metal concentrations in soil were high (9,800 mg kg^?1 for Pb and 7,200 mg kg^?1 for Zn). DTPA-extractable Zn and Pb were 16% and 19% of the total amount, respectively. The three selected plant species accumulated around 2?C5 mg kg^?1 Cu in both shoots and roots. Zn concentration was 100 mg kg^?1 in P. miliaceum roots. DTPA-extractable Zn was positively correlated with Zn plant uptake. These plant species demonstrated to grow well in acid tailings taking up only low concentrations of metals and therefore are good candidates to perform further phytostabilization works.     

Gradient differences in soil metal solubility and uptake by shoots and roots of wheat (T. aestivum)

The aim of this research was to identify and quantify gaps in currents methods and models for predicting the plant availability of selected nutrient and contaminant metals (Cu, Ni, Zn, Cd) in soil. This study investigated relationships between the relative solubility of Cu, Ni, Zn, and Cd determined by six extraction methods with short-term uptake by shoots and roots of wheat (Triticum aestivum). For Cu, Ni, and Cd, relationships between solubility and plant uptake were found to be different for shoots and roots, with Cu and Ni solubility being more closely correlated with root uptake compared with shoot uptake. Correlation coefficients for Cd concentrations in shoot and root tissue for all six solubility methods were poor (r ²?<?0.5), while corresponding results for Zn explained more than 50 % of shoot variation but less than 50 % of root variation. Soil Cu solubility explained up to 85 % of variation in root uptake compared with 42–55 % for shoot uptake. These results clearly demonstrated that purely chemical and passive diffusion mechanisms were inadequate predictors of Cd uptake by shoots and roots, together with Cu uptake by shoots. Thus further attempts at refining soil metal bioavailability assays based solely on chemical extraction without consideration of plant responses are unlikely to improve prediction of plant uptake.     

A Laboratory Study on Revegetation and Metal Uptake in Native Plant Species from Neutral Mine Tailings

Lygeum spartum, Zygophyllum fabago and Piptatherum miliaceum are typical plant species that grow in mine tailings in semiarid Mediterranean areas. The aim of this work was to investigate metal uptake of these species growing on neutral mine tailings under controlled conditions and their response to fertilizer additions. A neutral mine tailing (pH of soil solution of 7.1–7.2) with high total metal concentrations (9,100 and 5,200 mg kg^?1 Zn and Pb, respectively) from Southern Spain was used. Soluble Zn and Pb were low (0.5 and <0.1 mg l^?1, respectively) but the major cations and anions reached relatively high levels (e.g. 2,600 and 1,400 mg l^?1 Cl and Na). Fertilization caused a significant increase of the plant weight for the three species and decreased metal accumulation with the exception of Cd. Roots accumulated much higher metal concentrations for the three plants than shoots, except Cd in L. spartum. Shoot concentrations for the three plants were 3–14 mg kg^?1 Cd, 150–300 mg kg^?1 Zn, 4–11 mg kg^?1 Cu, and 1–10 mg kg^?1 As, and 6–110 mg kg^?1 Pb. The results indicate that neutral pH mine tailings present a suitable substrate for establishment of these native plants species and fertilizer favors this establishment. Metal accumulation in plants is relatively low despite high total soil concentrations.     

Cadmium Accumulation and Translocation in Four Emergent Wetland Species

Emergent wetland plant species may exhibit different capacity for phytoremediation when used in constructed wetlands. To evaluate cadmium (Cd) remediation capacity of four emergent wetland species [Baumea juncea (R.Br.) Palla, Baumea articulata (R.Br.) S.T. Blake, Schoenoplectus validus (M.Vahl) A. & D.Löve, and Juncus subsecundus N.A. Wakef.], a glasshouse experiment was conducted in hydroponics to investigate the effects of Cd (0, 5, 10, and 20 mg L^?1) on plant growth and Cd uptake and translocation as well as uptake of other nutrients after 14 days. The relative growth rates of the three species changed little in various Cd treatments, but was severely inhibited for B. juncea at 20 mg Cd per liter treatment. Hence, the Cd tolerance index (root length in Cd treatment vs. control) was significantly lower in B. juncea compared to other species. Among the species, the highest concentration of Cd was in the roots of J. subsecundus, followed by S. validus, B. articulata, and B. juncea, while the lowest concentration of Cd was in the S. validus shoots. Of all the species, J. subsecundus had the highest bioconcentration factor (BCF) in shoots, whereas S. validus and B. juncea had the lowest BCF in rhizomes and roots, respectively. The translocation factor was significantly lower in S. validus compared to the other species. J. subsecundus had a higher Cd accumulation rate than the other species regardless of the Cd supply. The lowest allocation of Cd in shoots was recorded for S. validus and in roots for B. juncea. The concentrations of other elements (P, S, Ca, Fe, Cu, and Zn) in shoots decreased with Cd additions, but the interactions between Cd and other elements in roots varied with the different species. These results indicate that the four wetland species have good tolerance to Cd stress (except B. juncea at high Cd exposure), varying in Cd accumulation and translocation in tissues. These properties need to be taken into account when selecting species for wetlands constructed for phytoremediation.     

Effect of Bioaccumulation of Cs and Sr Natural Isotopes on Foliar Structure and Plant Spectral Reflectance of Indian Mustard (Brassica Juncea)

The objectives of this study are: (1) Evaluate the capacity of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) for uptake and accumulation of Cs and Sr natural isotopes. (2) Identify foliar structural and other physiological changes (biomass, relative water content etc.) resulted from the accumulation of these two elements. (3) Monitor the Cs and Sr uptake and bioaccumulation process by spectral reflectance. Potted Indian mustard plants were exposed to different concentrations of Cs (50 and 600 ppm) and Sr (50 and 300 ppm) natural isotopes in solution form for 23 days. Bioaccumulation of Cs and Sr were found in the order of leaves > stems > roots for both Cs- and Sr-treated plants. The highest leaf and root Sr accumulations are observed to be 2,708, and 1,194 mg kg^?1, respectively; and the highest leaf and root Cs accumulations are 12,251, and 6,794 mg kg^?1, respectively. High translocation efficiency for both elements is documented by shoot/root concentration ratios greater than one. Biomass decreases were observed for plants treated with higher concentration of Cs or Sr. Cs accumulation affected the pigment concentration and internal structure of the leaf and the spectral characteristics of plants. Within the applied concentration range, Sr accumulation resulted in no significant changes in relative water content (RWC), leaf structural and spectral characteristics of mustard plants. Cs shoot concentration showed significant negative correlation with relative water content (RWC; r = ?0.88*) and normalized difference vegetative index (NDVI) value (r = ?0.68*) of plant shoots. The canopy spectral reflectance and NDVI analysis clearly revealed (p < 0.05) the stress caused by Cs accumulation.     

Effects of NaCl and silicon on ion distribution in the roots,shoots and leaves of two alfalfa cultivars with different salt tolerance

Abstract

The effects of exogenous NaCl and silicon on ion distribution were investigated in two alfalfa (Medicago sativa. L.) cultivars: the high salt tolerant Zhongmu No. 1 and the low salt tolerant Defor. The cultivars were grown in a hydroponic system with a control (that had neither NaCl nor Si added), a Si treatment (1 mmol L^?1 Si), a NaCl treatment (120 mmol L^?1 NaCl), and a Si and NaCl treatment (120 mmol L^?1 NaCl + 1 mmol L^?1 Si). After 15 days of the NaCl and Si treatments, four plants of the cultivars were removed and divided into root, shoot and leaf parts for Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Fe³⁺, Mn²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ content measurements. Compared with the NaCl treatment, the added Si significantly decreased Na⁺ content in the roots, but notably increased K⁺ contents in the shoots and leaves of the high salt tolerant Zhongmu No.1 cultivar. Applying Si to both cultivars under NaCl stress did not significantly affect the Fe³⁺, Mg²⁺ and Zn²⁺ contents in the roots, shoots and leaves of Defor and the roots and shoots of Zhongmu No.1, but increased the Ca²⁺ content in the roots of Zhongmu No.1 and the Mn²⁺ contents in the shoots and leaves of both cultivars, while it decreased the Ca²⁺ and Cu²⁺ contents of the shoots and leaves of both cultivars under salt stress. Salt stress decreased the K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and Cu²⁺ contents in plants, but significantly increased Zn²⁺ content in the roots, shoots and leaves and Mn²⁺ content in the shoots of both cultivars when Si was not applied. Thus, salt affects not only the macronutrient distribution but also the micronutrient distribution in alfalfa plants, while silicon could alter the distributions of Na⁺ and some trophic ions in the roots, shoots and leaves of plants to improve the salt tolerance.     

Nitrogen use Rationalization and Boosting Wheat Productivity by Applying Packages ‎of Humic,Amino Acids,and Microorganisms

ABSTRACT

Integrated management of soil organic matter and nutritional status of crop plants is essential to sustain the production of organic farming systems. Thus, a 2–year field experiment was conducted to examine the effects of soil additions (192 kg N ha^–1, humic+192 kg N ha^–1, humic+144 kg N ha^–1 and humic+96 kg N ha^–1) and foliar applications (amino acids, Azotobacter+yeast, and amino acids plus Azotobacter+yeast) as various fertilizer resources on growth and yield of wheat. Results showed that humic+192 kg N ha^–1 × amino acids plus Azotobacter+yeast were the effective combination for producing the highest values of flag leaf area, total dry weight, tiller number m^–2, spike weight m^–2, and grain yield ha^–1. Under foliar application of amino acids plus Azotobacter+yeast, reducing N supply from recommended rate (192 kg N ha^–1) to 144 kg N ha^–1+ humic achieved higher values of all yield traits, with a saving of 25% of applied mineral nitrogen as well as enhancing nitrogen use efficiency.     

Effects of Soil-Applied Materials on the Dry Weight and Boron Uptake of Maize Shoots (Zea Mays L.) Under High Boron Conditions

High concentrations of boron (B) in the soil, reduces plant growth, crops’ yield and quality. Regarding such problem, synergistic and antagonistic relations between the nutrients can be used to ameliorate the B toxicity. Therefore, a greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate effects of soil-applied zinc (Zn), nitrogen (N), calcium (Ca), lime (CaCO₃), potassium (K), humic acid (HA), and humus on the dry weight and B uptake of maize shoots (Zea mays L.) under high-B containing soil conditions. Increasing doses of B (0, 2.5, 5, and 10 mg kg^?1 B) were applied to soil as borax (Na₂B₄O₇10H₂O), and boric acid (H₃BO₃). Positive correlations were found between B doses and the uptake amounts (r = 0.934**; – 0.964**). However, the correlations between the dry weight and B doses (r = ?0.314**; – r = ?0.495**) and between the dry weight and the uptake amounts (r = ?0.294*; – r = ?0.497**) were negative. Among the materials, Zn and humus exhibited positive correlations with dry weight values (r = 0.249*; r = 0.525**), and an effective increase (p < 0.01) in the dry weight amounts of maize shoots was observed under toxic B conditions.     

Cadmium Uptake by Yeast, Candida tropicalis, Isolated from Industrial Effluents and Its Potential Use in Wastewater Clean-Up Operations

This study is aimed at assessing the ability of metal-resistant yeast, Candida tropicalis, to uptake cadmium from the liquid medium. The minimum inhibitory concentration of Cd²⁺ against C. tropicalis was 2,800 mg L^?1. The yeast also showed tolerance towards Zn²⁺ (3,100 mg L^?1), Ni²⁺ (3,000 mg L^?1), Hg²⁺ (2,400 mg L^?1), Cu²⁺ (2,300 mg L^?1), Cr⁶⁺ (2,000 mg L^?1), and Pb²⁺ (1,200 mg L^?1). The yeast isolate showed typical growth curves, but low specific rate of growth was observed in the presence of cadmium. The yeast isolate showed optimum growth at 30°C and pH 7. The metal processing ability of the isolate was determined in a medium containing 100 mg L^?1 of Cd²⁺. C. tropicalis could decline Cd²⁺ 57%, 69%, and 80% from the medium after 48, 96, and 144 h, respectively. C. tropicalis was also able to remove Cd²⁺ 56% and 73% from the wastewater after 6 and 12 days, respectively. Cd produced an increase in glutathione (GSH) and non-protein thiol levels by 146.15% and 59.67% at 100 mg L^?1 concentration, respectively. Metal tolerance and accumulation together with changes in the GSH status and non-protein thiols under Cd exposure were studied in C. tropicalis.     

Effects of Soil Amendments on Growth and Metal Uptake by Ocimum gratissimum Grown in Cd/Zn-Contaminated Soil

Hydroponic and pot experiments were conducted to assess the uptake of heavy metals (Cd and Zn) by a common crop plant, African basil, Ocimum gratissimum. In addition, the effects of soil amendments, hydroxyapatite (HA) and cow manure on plant growth and metal accumulations were compared. In the hydroponic study, plants were exposed to various concentrations of Cd (2.5 and 5 mg L^?1) and Zn (10 and 20 mg L^?1) for 15 days. O. gratissimum was shown to be a Cd accumulator more than a Zn accumulator. Cadmium concentration in its shoots exceeded 100 mg kg^?1. In the pot experiments, soils from a heavily Cd-contaminated site (Cd 67.9 mg kg^?1 and Zn 2,886.8 mg kg^?1) were treated with cow manure and HA at the rates of 10% and 20% (w/w), and 0.75 and 1.5% (w/w), respectively. Plants were grown in the greenhouse for 3 months. The addition of cow manure resulted in the highest biomass production and the lowest accumulations of Cd in plant parts, while HA was more efficient than cow manure in reducing Zn uptake. Leaves of African basil showed a decreased Cd concentration from 1.5 to 0.3 mg kg^?1 (cow manure) and decreased Zn concentration from 69.3 to 34 mg kg^?1 (HA). This clearly demonstrates the efficiency of HA and cow manure in reducing metal content in leaves of plants grown on high metal-contaminated soil to acceptable or close to acceptable values (0.2 mg kg^?1 for Cd, 99.4 mg kg^?1 for Zn).     

Interactions Between Cadmium Uptake and Phytotoxic Levels of Zinc in Hard Red Spring Wheat

Abstract

Wheat grown on cadmium (Cd)‐uncontaminated soils can still potentially translocate unacceptable levels of Cd to grain. The effect of zinc (Zn) and Cd levels on Cd uptake and translocation in “Grandin” hard red spring wheat (HRS‐wheat) (Triticum aestivum L.) was investigated using a double chelator‐buffered nutrient solution [EGTA used to buffer Cd, Zn, copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and nickel (Ni); and Ferrozine (FZ) used to buffer Fe²⁺]. In the Zn level series of treatments, Cd²⁺ activity was held constant at 10^?10.7 M, and the Zn²⁺ activity was varied from 10^?7.6 to 10^?5.2 M. As Zn²⁺ activity increased, the translocation of Cd to the shoots decreased. The shoot : root Cd concentration ratio decreased from 0.20 to 0.03 as pZn²⁺ went from 7.6 to 5.2, indicating that adequate to high levels of Zn are effective in reducing Cd translocation to the shoots of “Grandin” HRS‐wheat. In the Cd series, the Zn activity was at 10^?6.6 M, while Cd activity was increased from 10^?10.7 to 10^?9.2 M. High levels of Cd did not significantly affect the uptake and translocation of Zn in the roots and shoots. While at pCd²⁺ of 9.2, the root and shoot Cd concentrations significantly increased, there was not a significant increase in the shoot : root Cd ratio. This would indicate that even at high Cd²⁺ activities, Zn is effective in regulating Cd uptake and translocation in “Grandin” HRS‐wheat.     

Cobalt accumulation and antioxidant system in pakchois under chemical immobilization in fluvo-aquic soil

Purpose

Cobalt (Co) is a toxic metal to the environment and human’s health. The purpose of the study is to achieve an investigation into the efficacy of calcium carbonate and cow dung for Co immobilization in fluvo-aquic soil, as well as their effects on the antioxidant system in plants.

Materials and methods

Calcium carbonate and cow dung were incorporated with the Co-polluted fluvo-aquic soil where pakchois (Brassica chinensis L.) were grown. Co concentration, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, catalase (CAT) activity, and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in the shoots of the mature plants were inspected.

Results and discussion

As calcium carbonate concentration rose (0 to 12 g kg^?1), Co concentration in shoots of the plants decreased firstly and then increased again (P < 0.05), while the accumulation level of Co kept decreasing with cow dung concentration rising (P < 0.05). Under the amendment treatments, the SOD activity, CAT activity, and MDA concentration in the shoots were all positively correlated to the Co concentration in the plant tissue (r = 0.792, 0.904, and 0.807, P < 0.01), indicating the antioxidant system receptivity to the Co accumulation. The amendments in soil can alleviate the oxidative stress in pakchois owing to Co pollution. As calcium carbonate concentration ranged from 5.64 to 7.86 g kg^?1, the parameters reached a maxima (minimum), respectfully.

Conclusions

Calcium carbonate and cow dung in fluvo-aquic soil are effective for Co immobilization and mitigating any pertinent oxidative stress in pakchoi plants. Calcium carbonate concentration within a range of 5.64 to 7.86 g·kg^?1 will achieve optimum efficacy.

     

Pine Bark Amendment to Promote Sustainability in Cu-Polluted Acid Soils: Effects on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lolium perenne</Emphasis> Growth and Cu Uptake

The establishment of a complementary grass cover on vineyard soils can promote sustainability of the affected environment. In this work, we used an acid vineyard soil with total Cu concentration 188 mg kg^?1 to study the influence of pine bark amendment on Lolium perenne growth and Cu uptake. The results indicate that the pine bark amendment did not cause a significant increase in the mass of the shoots of Lolium perenne, but favored the root biomass: 0.034 g for control and 0.061 g for soil samples amended with 48 g kg^?1 of pine bark. Moreover, the pine bark amendment decreased Cu concentration in both, shoots (50 mg kg^?1 for control soil and 29 mg kg^?1 for soil amended with 48 g kg^?1 pine bark) and roots (250 mg kg^?1 for control soil and 64 mg kg^?1 for soil amended with 48 g kg^?1 pine bark). The main factor responsible for these results was a significant decrease of the most mobile fractions of Cu in the soil. Those fractions were extracted using ammonium acetate, ammonium chloride, sodium salt of ethylene-diamine-tetraacetic acid (EDTA-Na), and diethylene-triamine-pentaacetic acid (DTPA).     

Phytotoxic Effect of the Uranium on the Growing Up and Development the Plant of Corn

The aim of this article is the determination of uranium accumulation in plants tissue in shoots and roots of corn—maize (Zea mays), grown on two types of soils, pseudogley and chernozem, together with its phytotoxic effect on the plant growth and development. The soils was contaminated with different rates (10 to 1,000 mg U(VI) kg^?1) of uranyl nitrate (UO₂(NO₃)₂·6H₂O). Vegetative tests performed with maize indicated uranium phytotoxic effect on plant height, yield, and germination of seeds. This effect was stronger on the plants grown on pseudogley in comparison with those grown on chernozem. Soil properties determined the tolerance and accumulation of U in plants. A linear dependence between the content of uranium in soil and in plants tissue, including maximal content of 1,000 mg U?kg^?1, indicates that maize could be used for phytoremediation of uranium-contaminated soils.     

Comparison of oyster shell and calcium hydroxide as liming materials for immobilizing cadmium in upland soil

Cadmium is both readily available and highly toxic to plants and animals. Our objectives were to evaluate the effect of oyster shell as a liming material on reducing plant cadmium (Cd) uptake and to compare oyster shell and Ca(OH)₂, a common liming material in Korea. Ground oyster shell and Ca(OH)₂ were applied at 0, 2, 4, and 8 Mg Ca per hectare to an upland soil contaminated manually with CdSO₄ (total Cd 8.96 mg kg^?1). Radish (Raphanus sativa L.) was sown on the contaminated soil. Oyster shell was less effective at increasing soil pH and net negative charge than Ca(OH)₂, but more effective at suppressing radish Cd uptake in both roots and shoots. The portion of Cd that is strongly bound to soil (fraction 5) increased more with oyster shell than with Ca(OH)₂. Radish plant Cd concentration was positively correlated with 0.1 N HCl-extractable Cd and negatively correlated with the residual Cd fraction (F5), indicating that an increase in the strongly bound Cd fraction played an important role in reducing radish Cd uptake in soil to which oyster shell was applied. The greater potential of oyster shell to decrease Cd extractability in soil and plant Cd uptake compared to Ca(OH)₂ might be attributed to the layered morphology of oyster shells. Based on these results, oyster shell could be a very good alternative liming material to reduce Cd phytoavailability in Cd-contaminated soil.     

Impact of an Urban Environment on Trace Element Concentrations in Domestically Produced Lettuce (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lactuca sativa L.</Emphasis>)

Urban horticulture is gaining more and more attention in the context of sustainable food supply. Yet, cities are exposed to (former) industrial activities and traffic, responsible for emission of contaminants. Trace elements were monitored in soils located in the urban environment of Ghent (Belgium) and 84 samples of Lactuca satica L. lettuce grown on it. The effects of cultivation in soil versus trays, neighbouring traffic and washing of the lettuce before consumption were studied. The 0–30 cm top layer of soils appeared heterogenic in composition and enriched in Co, Cd, Ni and Pb within 10 m from the nearest road. Yet, no similar elevated concentrations could be found in the crops, except for As. Besides uptake from the roots, the presence of trace elements in the plants is also caused by the atmospheric deposition of airborne particulate matter on the leaf surface. Correlation analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that this latter transport pathway might particularly be the case for Pt, Pd and Rh. Concentrations of Cd did not exceed the 0.2 mg kg^?1 (fresh weight) threshold for Cd in leafy vegetables set by the European Commission. Measurements to reduce the health risks include the washing of lettuce, which effectively reduced the number of samples trespassing the maximum Pb level of 0.3 mg kg^?1 (fresh weight). Also, cultivation in trays resulted in a lower As content in the plants. Taking into account a vigilance on crop selection, cultivation substrate and proper washing before consumption are considered essential steps for safe domestic horticulture in urban environments.     

Foliar application of zinc promotes cadmium absorption by increasing expression of cadmium transporter genes and activities of antioxidative enzymes in winter wheat

Cadmium (Cd) is a deleterious non-essential metal in plants.To elucidate the mechanisms by which zinc (Zn) application alleviates cadmium (Cd)toxicity in wheat,we characterized plant growth,antioxidant system,leaf cell ultrastructure,and Cd transporter gene expression in winter wheat under Cd exposure (50μmol L^-1Cd) with foliar Zn application in a hydroponic experiment.Results showed that Zn addition (Zn+Cd) or pretreatment (pre-Zn+Cd) at 2 g L^-1as Zn SO₄·7H_...     

Assessment of the Hyperaccumulating Lead Capacity of Salvinia minima Using Bioadsorption and Intracellular Accumulation Factors

Salvinia minima has been reported as a cadmium and lead hyperaccumulator being the adsorption and intracellular accumulation the main uptake mechanisms. However, its physicochemical properties, the effect of metal concentration and the presence of organic and inorganic compounds on its hyperaccumulating capacity are still unknown. Furthermore, the specific adsorption and accumulation mechanisms occurring in the plant are not clear yet. Thus, based on a compartmentalization analysis, a bioadsorption (BAF) and an intracellular accumulation factor (IAF) were calculated in order to differentiate and quantify these two mechanisms. The use of kinetic models allowed predicting the specific type of uptake mechanisms involved. Healthy plants were exposed to five lead concentrations ranging from 0.80?±?0.0 to 28.40?±?0.22 mg Pb²⁺l^?1 in batch systems. A synthetic wastewater, amended with propionic acid and magnesium sulfate, and deionized water were used as media. The BAF and IAF contributed to gain an in-depth insight into the hyperaccumulating lead capacity of S. minima. It is clear that such capacity is mainly due to adsorption (BAF 780–1980) most likely due to its exceptional physico-chemical characteristics such as a very high surface area (264 m² g^?1) and a high content of carboxylic groups (0.95 mmol H⁺g^?1 dw). Chemisorption was predicted as the responsible mechanism according to the pseudo-second order adsorption model. Surprisingly, the ability of S. minima to accumulate the metal into the cells (IAF 57–1007) was not inhibited at concentrations as high as 28.40±0.22 mg Pb²⁺l^?1.     

Correlations between Kinetic Parameters of Phosphate Uptake and Internal Phosphorus Concentrations in Maize Plants: Making it Possible to Estimate the Status of Phosphate Uptake according to Shoot Phosphorus Concentrations

Abstract

The relationship between internal phosphorus (P) concentration [P] and kinetics of phosphate (Pi) uptake was investigated in maize seedlings grown hydroponically at different Pi concentrations (0.1–1,000 µM) and in the phase of Pi deprivation (0–10 d). The results indicated when the internal [P] was higher than 85 µmol g^?1 dw, apparent K_m, C_min, and V_max were significantly (P<0.01) related to [P]s in shoots and roots; when the internal [P] was lower than 85 µmol g^?1 dw, K_m and C_min were small and only V_max was significantly related (P<0.01) to internal [P]s. Three equations were deduced from the linear regressions of the kinetic parameters and [P]s in shoots. Using these equations, the values of apparent K_m, C_min, and V_max of Pi uptake of seedlings grown in different circumstances were calculated according to [P]s in shoots. In all the circumstances involved, for K_m and C_min, there was a parallel relationship between the values estimated by [P]s in shoots and by the Pi‐depletion technique; for V_max, the values estimated by [P]s in shoots were consistent with those obtained from Pi‐depletion experiments except the period of supplying Pi to the Pi‐starved seedlings over several days. These results indicated it is possible to estimate the Pi‐uptake status according to shoot P concentrations in maize plants under experimental conditions, which might be helpful to estimate in‐season status of Pi uptake of maize plants in the field.