Transfer of Cd, Pb, and Zn to water spinach from a polluted soil amended with lime and organic materials

Purpose

The transfer of heavy metals from soil to crops comprises several steps, including soil-to-root and subsequent root-to-shoot tranfer. The purpose of this study was to investigate the different steps of soil-to-crop transfer of Cd, Pb, and Zn.

Materials and methods

This study was carried out with a greenhouse pot experiment using a soil polluted with Cd, Pb, and Zn which was amended with rice straw, pig manure, sheep dung, or peat, with and without lime. Water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica) was used as the test crop and was grown after a season of rice cultivation.

Results and discussion

The results showed that all the amendments promoted the root-to-shoot transfer of Cd, Pb, and Zn. The soil-to-root transfer factors (TFs) of Pb and Zn tended to increase with increasing available Pb and Zn in the soils, while no clear relationship between the TF of Cd and available soil Cd was observed. The root-to-shoot TF of Cd, Pb, and Zn tended to decrease with increasing available amounts in the soils and were negatively correlated with the concentrations of the metals in the roots (r _Cd?=?0.820, r _Pb?=?0.789, r _Zn?=?0.769).

Conclusions

The soil-to-root transfer of Cd, Pb, and Zn was significantly different from the root-to-shoot transfer. The soil-to-root transfer was mainly influenced by the amount of available metal in soil, whereas the root-to-shoot transfer was mainly controlled by the concentrations of the metals in the root.     

Growth and uptake of Cd and Zn by Leucaena leucocephala in reclaimed soils as affected by NaCl salinity

Heavy metal accumulation in reclaimed soils is increasing rapidly in developing countries where the use of saline waters for irrigation is a common practice, even though salinity-heavy metal interactions are not fully understood. An example for this development is the Bangar area of Egypt where the application of contaminated amendments during the last 30 years has increased the Cd and Zn concentrations in topsoils from 0.08 to 0.76 mg · kg^—1 and from 17 to 73 mg · kg^—1 respectively. This work aimed at evaluating the uptake of Cd and Zn by Leucaena leucocephala, a leguminous tree cropped for fodder and green manure, as affected by the addition of 10 mM NaCl to irrigation water. During a 6 month field experiment, salinized and control plots were compared with respect to soil solution composition and root development as well as the uptake of Cd and Zn and their translocation to the leaves. NaCl treatment raised the concentration of organic carbon, Cd and Zn in soil solution and enhanced the uptake of Cd and Zn significantly. Salinized plants showed shorter roots, reduced retention of Cd and Zn in roots and stems and considerable translocation of both elements to the leaves. This work demonstrates that NaCl salinity affects not only the bioavailability of soil Cd and Zn but also modifies plant functions related to their acquisition and translocation to the leaves. The results provide evidence that the risk of transfer of heavy metals to the food chain and their leachability to the ground water may be greater under saline conditions than generally assumed.     

Characteristics of Heavy-Metal Tolerance and Growth in Two Ecotypes of Oxyria sinensis Hemsl. Grown on Huize Lead–Zinc Mining Area in Yunnan Province,China

A field survey of herbaceous plants growing on the Huice lead (Pb)–zinc (Zn) mining area in Yunnan, China was conducted to identify species accumulating concentrations of cadmium (Cd), Pb, and Zn. In total, 200 plant samples of 112 species from 34 families were collected. At the same time, 200 soil samples were collected. Based on Cd, Pb, and Zn tolerance and growth, wild Oxyria sinensis Hemsl. was chosen as a primary pioneer plant. Then, to confirm if Oxyria sinensis Hemsl. may be used as a pioneer plant, the tolerance to Cd, Pb, and Zn and growth of two ecotypes (mining-area ecotype and non-mining-area ecotype) Oxyria sinensis Hemsl. were studied further with pot experiments. In 10 samples of wild Oxyria sinensis Hemsl. in the Huice lead–zinc mine, concentrations of Cd, Pb, and Zn in the soil did not correlate with those in the root (P > 0.05) and shoot (P > 0.05), respectively. Correlations between Cd concentrations in root and shoot were not observed (P > 0.05), whereas those of Pb and Zn were observed (P < 0.05). Both the enrichment coefficient and translocation factor were <1 for Cd, Pb, and Zn for the wild Oxyria sinensis Hemsl. In the two ecotypes of Oxyria sinensis Hemsl., in pot experiments, the treatment concentrations of Cd, Pb, and Zn did not correlate (P > 0.05) with concentrations of Cd, Pb, and Zn in root and shoot. Significant correlations between the concentrations of Cd, Pb, and Zn in root (P < 0.01) and shoot (P < 0.05) were observed in the two ecotypes. Both enrichment coefficient and translocation factors were <1 for Cd, Pb, and Zn in the two ecotypes, respectively. Treatment concentrations of Cd, Pb, and Zn did not significantly correlate (P > 0.05) with plant height and crowns of the two ecotypes. Treatment concentrations of Pb and Zn did not correlate (P > 0.05) with the biomass of the two ecotypes, whereas that of Cd related significantly to biomass in the two ecotypes. Oxyria sinensis Hemsl. was suggested to utilize a tolerant strategy to heavy metals (i.e., exclusion). It was a pioneer plant and will be used in restoration of a vegetation cover in a Pb–Zn mine after further research in tolerant mechanisms and restoration ability are conducted.     

Cadmium Concentration in Flax Colonized by Mycorrhizal Fungi Depends on Soil Phosphorus and Cadmium Concentrations

Effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus on cadmium (Cd) concentration in flax was investigated in a pot experiment. Flax inoculated with Glomus intraradices and uninoculated controls were grown in a pasteurized soil that received Cd (0, 2.5, and 10 mg kg^?1) and phosphorus (P; 10 and 50 mg kg^?1) additions. Root colonization was not affected by Cd addition but was reduced by high P addition. Effect of G. intraradices on Cd was evident only at low P supply. Inoculation with G. intraradices decreased shoot Cd at no or low Cd addition, which was attributed to reduced root-to-shoot Cd translocation. In contrast, G. intraradices inoculation increased shoot Cd at high Cd addition, which might be associated with the greater absorption of Cd by extraradical hyphae and lower rhizosphere pH. Our results indicate that a benefit of AM fungus in reducing Cd in crops is achievable at Cd and P concentrations commonly in agricultural soils.     

Zinc‐efficient wild grasses enhance release of phytosiderophores under zinc deficiency

The effect of the zinc (Zn) nutritional status on the rate of phyto‐siderophore release was studied in three wild grass species (Hordeum murinum, Agropyron orientale, and Secale cereale) grown in nutrient solution under co‐trolled environmental conditions. These wild grasses are highly “Zn‐efficient”; and grow well on severely Zn‐deficient calcareous soils in Turkey (DTPA‐extractable Zn was 0.12 mg/kg soil and CaCO₃ was 37%). In all wild grasses studied, Zn deficiency reduced shoot growth but had no effect on root growth. Low amounts of phytosiderophores were released from roots of all wild grasses adequately supplied with Zn. In plants grown without Zn, release of phytosiderophores progressively increased with the onset of visual Zn deficiency symptoms, such as inhibition of shoot elongation and appearance of chlorotic and necrotic patches on leaves. Compared to Zn‐sufficient plants, phytosiderophore release increased 18–20‐fold in deficient plants. HPLC analysis of root exudates showed that the dominating phytosiderophore in Zn‐deficient Agropyron and Hordeum was 3‐epi‐hydro‐xymugineic acid (epi‐HMA) and was 3‐hydroxy‐mugineic acid (HMA) in Secale. Besides HMA, epi‐HMA and mugineic acid (MA) were also detected in exudates of Zn‐deficient Secale. The results indicate the importance of phytosiderophores in adaptation of wild grasses to Zn‐deficient calcareous soils. Phytosiderophores might enhance mobilization of Zn from sparingly soluble Zn pools and from adsorption sites, both in the rhizosphere and within the plants.     

外源有机酸对两种生态型东南景天吸收和积累锌的影响

通过溶液培养试验,比较研究了外源有机酸对两种生态型东南景天生长和锌吸收与积累的影响。结果表明,外加柠檬酸或草酸能明显增强非超积累生态型东南景天的耐锌毒能力,叶片、茎和根系的生物量均有增加;而对锌超积累生态型东南景天的生长没有显著性影响。外加柠檬酸、草酸或柠檬酸+草酸,锌超积累生态型根系Zn含量显著增加,但叶片和茎组织中Zn含量无明显变化;而非超积累生态型叶片、茎和根系Zn含量均显著增加,尤其是根系Zn含量,与单独Zn处理相比外源有机酸处理增加4～5倍。同样,外加柠檬酸、草酸或柠檬酸+草酸明显提高Zn在非超积累生态型根系和地上部的积累量,且对地上部Zn积累量的促进程度大于根部;柠檬酸的促进作用又比草酸及2种酸混合处理高1倍。然而,有机酸处理对Zn超积累生态型根系Zn积累量有所增加,但对叶片和茎中Zn积累量无影响。叶片和茎中水溶态Zn含量也受外源有机酸的影响,2种生态型叶片、茎中水溶态Zn含量均受有机酸处理而提高。Zn超积累生态型叶片和茎中水溶态Zn含量占总Zn含量比例也受有机酸处理而增大,但非超积累生态型则显著降低。上述结果表明,柠檬酸和草酸可能作为其Zn吸收的配基,促进根系对Zn吸收与积累,叶片和茎中的Zn可能与可溶性有机化合物或无机盐结合。     

Effects of zinc activity in nutrient solution on uptake,translocation, and root export of cadmium and zinc in three wheat genotypes with different zinc efficiencies

The interactions of zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd) in uptake and translocation are common but not consistent. We hypothesized that Cd²⁺ and Zn²⁺ activity in the apoplasmic solution bathing root-cells could affect Zn accumulation in plants dependent on the wheat genotype. This hypothesis was tested using seedlings of two bread wheat genotypes (Triticum aestivum L. cvs. Rushan and Cross) and one durum wheat genotype (Triticum durum L. cv. Arya) with different Zn efficiencies grown in chelate-buffered nutrient solutions with three Zn²⁺ (10^?11.11, 10^?9.11, and 10^?8.81?µM) and two Cd²⁺ (10^?11.21 and 10^?10.2?µM) activity levels. Increasing Zn²⁺ activity in the nutrient solution significantly increased Zn concentration in root and shoots of all three wheat genotypes, although the magnitude of this increase was dependent on the genotype. Cadmium decreased Zn concentration in roots of “Cross” while it had no significant effect on root Zn concentration in “Rushan.” At Zn^2+?=?10^?11.11?µM, Cd decreased shoot Zn concentration in “Arya” whereas it increased shoot Zn concentration at Zn^2+?=?10^?8.81?µM. Cadmium increased shoot Zn concentration of “Rushan” and “Cross” at Zn^2+?=?10^?8.81?µM but it had no significant effect on shoot Zn concentration of these genotypes at Zn^2+?=?10^?11.11?µM. The zinc-inefficient genotype “Arya” accumulated significantly more Cd in its root in comparison with “Cross” and “Rushan.” Cadmium concentration in roots of “Arya” was decreased significantly with increasing Zn activity. The effect of Zn on accumulation of Cd in roots of “Cross” and “Rushan” was dependent on the dose provided, and therefore, both synergistic (at Zn^2+?=?10^?9.11?µM) and antagonistic (at Zn^2+?=?10^?8.81?µM) interactive effects were found in these genotypes. Zinc supply increased the Zn concentration of xylem sap in “Cross” and “Rushan” whereas Zn content in xylem sap of “Arya” was decreased at Zn^2+?=?10^?9.11?µM and thereafter increased at Zn^2+?=?10^?8.81?µM. Cadmium treatment reduced Zn concentration in xylem sap of “Arya,” while it tended to increase Zn content in xylem sap of “Cross.” At Zn-deficient conditions, greater retention of Zn in root cell walls of Zn-inefficient “Arya” resulted in lower root-to-shoot transport of Zn in this genotype. Results revealed that the effect of Cd on the root-to-shoot translocation of Zn via the xylem is dependent on wheat genotype and Zn activity in the nutrient solution.     

Effects of calcium on cadmium uptake and transport in the tree species Gamblea innovans

The effect of calcium (Ca) on cadmium (Cd) accumulation in plants was investigated using Gamblea innovans Sieb. & Zucc., a deciduous tree species that is an accumulator plant for Cd and zinc (Zn). Saplings of G. innovans were grown for 3 months and fed with solutions containing only Ca (+Ca), both Ca and Cd (Ca+Cd), or only Cd (+Cd). The Ca concentration in roots was higher in both treatments containing Cd alone (+Cd) and Ca+Cd compared to roots treated with Ca alone (+Ca). In addition, the Cd concentration in roots was higher in the Ca+Cd treatment than the Cd treatment. This showed that the presence of Ca²⁺ in the rhizosphere relates with Cd uptake into roots. The result that the transport of Cd from roots through stem to leaves was suppressed by Ca treatment indicates that the presence of Ca regulates Cd transport from the roots. A clear correlation between Cd and Zn concentrations in leaves suggests a possibility that the Cd treatment accelerates the transport of Zn into leaves via the same protein transporter in this species.     

Cadmium and zinc accumulation in willow and poplar species grown on polluted soils

Woody plant species that produce high biomass have been proposed for use in phytoremediation technology. We investigated the accumulation of cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) in Salix babylonica, S. caprea, S. dasyclados, S. matsudana × alba, S. purpurea, S. smithiana, Populus tremula, and P. nigra clones grown in a pot experiment on a Calcaric and a Eutric Cambisol (pH 7.2 and 6.4) of different levels of contamination (total metal concentrations in mg kg^–1 in soil A: 32.7 Cd, 1760 Zn; soil B: 4.34 Cd, 220 Zn). Generally, the tested clones tolerated large metal concentrations in soils and had larger Cd and Zn concentrations in leaves compared to the roots. The largest Cd concentrations in leaves were found in two clones of S. smithiana (440 mg kg^–1 on soil A; 70 mg kg^–1 on soil B). One of the S. smithiana clones had also the largest Zn concentrations (870 mg kg^–1) on soil B but accumulated slightly less Zn than a S. matsudana × alba clone (2430 mg kg^–1) on soil A. The Cd concentrations in leaves of both S. smithiana clones on soil A are the largest ever reported for soil‐grown willows. The bioconcentration factors of the best performing clone reached 15.9 for Cd and 3.93 for Zn on the less contaminated soil B. Also based on the metal contents in leaves, this clone was identified as the most promising for phytoextraction. The metal concentrations in leaves observed in the pot experiment do not reflect those found in a previous hydroponic study and the leaf‐to‐root ratios are clearly underestimated in hydroponic conditions. This demonstrates the need for testing candidates for phytoextraction crops on soils rather than in hydroponics. Our data also show that the phytoextraction potential should be tested on different soils to avoid misleading conclusions.     

A Meta-Analysis on Phenotypic Variation in Cadmium Accumulation of Rice and Wheat: Implications for Food Cadmium Risk Control

In some densely-populated countries, farmland has been widely cadmium (Cd) contaminated, and the utilization of the contaminated farmland for crop production is currently unavoidable. This necessitates the use of low-Cd crops (i.e., pollution-safe cultivars, the crop varieties with the ability to accumulate a low level of Cd in their edible parts when grown on polluted soil) in these areas and highlights the importance of knowledge on phenotypic variation in crop Cd accumulation for food Cd risk control. Studies on phenotypic variation in heavy metal accumulation started decades ago for a wide range of crops, and synthesis of the scattered experimental results in the literature is in need. We built a Low-Cd Crops Database based on literature research, and relevant meta-analysis was performed to quantitatively explore the phenotypic variation in Cd uptake and translocation of rice and wheat. Considerable variability existed among rice (median grain Cd bioconcentration factor (BCF) of 0.10) and wheat (median grain Cd BCF of 0.21) phenotypes in grain Cd accumulation, and this variability was labile to soil pH and the level of Cd stress. Wheat statistically had a higher root-to-shoot Cd-translocating ability than rice, highlighting potential food Cd risks and the importance of growing low-Cd wheat in slightly Cd-contaminated regions. Meanwhile, no correlations were detected among soil-to-root, root-to-shoot, and shoot-to-grain translocation factors, implying that Cd uptake and internal translocation in crops were probably controlled by different underlying genetic mechanisms. Root-to-shoot Cd transport could be a favorable target trait for selecting and breeding low-Cd rice and wheat. In all, this review provides a comprehensive low-Cd crop list for remediation practice and a systematic meta-analysis inferring food Cd risks based on plant capacity for Cd accumulation and desired traits for low-Cd crop breeding.     

Some interactions of cadmium with other elements in plants

Abstract

Cadmium in solution culture at 10^‐4 M decreased Mn concentrations in bush beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L. C.V. Improved Tendergreen) at both low and high concentrations of Mn (noncompetitive inhibition). When Mn was decreased, the concentrations of Fe and several other ions were simultaneously increased, particularly in leaves and roots. Toxicity due to the 10^‐6 M Cd and the 10^‐4 M Mn was additive in the experiment. When barley (Hordeum vulgare L. Atlas57)was grown in amended soil, 15μg Fe as DTPA (diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid) per g soil resulted in increased uptake of Cd and in somewhat greater yield depression for soil pH of 3.9, 6. 0, and 7.6. Acidification of soil without DTPA also increased Cd uptake to high levels with associated yield decrease. The Cd decreased the uptake of Mn and Cu most when CaCO₃ had also been added to the soil. When salts were added to soil with Cd before bush beans were grown, KCl (200 μg K/g soil), and equivalent KH₂PO₄ increased Cd concentrations of leaves while CaSO₄ and KCl did so for roots. In bush beans with different levels of Cd and Zn, there were no yield interactions, but some interactions of Cd on Zn concentrations in leaves, stems, and roots at the high Zn level.     

Copper Uptake and Tolerance in Two Contrasting Ecotypes of Elsholtzia argyi

Abstract

Information is desired on plant species that have a great potential in phytoremediation of copper (Cu) contaminated soils. Two contrasting ecotypes of Elsholtzia argyi were comparatively studied using nutrient solution culture for their growth response and uptake, distribution, and translocation of Cu. The results show that the ecotype from an old mined area (Sanmen-ecotype) had greater tolerance to Cu than that from the nonmined area (Jiuxi-ecotype) based on dry matter yield at different Cu supply levels. Inhibited root and leaf growth was noted at the external Cu levels > 50 µmol L^?1 for the Sanmen-ecotype, and at the Cu supply levels > 5 µmol L^?1 for the Jiuxi-ecotype. Stem growth was most sensitive to Cu toxicity in E. argyi, and was inhibited at the Cu levels ≥ 2.5 µmol L^?1 for Jiuxi-ecotype and ≥ 25 µmol L^?1 for Sanmen-ecotype. Root Cu concentrations were higher in Sanmen-ecotype than in Jiuxi-ecotype, but leaf, especially stem Cu concentrations were much lower in the former than in the latter. Furthermore, Jiuxi-ecotype was much more efficient than Sanmen-ecotype in the translocation of Cu from root to the shoot, and it had higher ratios of stem/root and leaf/root Cu concentration. At the Cu supply levels higher than 10 µmol L^?1, root concentrations of potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) considerably decreased in Jiuxi-ecotype, but were not affected or even increased in Sanmen-ecotype. Zinc concentrations in the stems, particularly in the leaves of Sanmen-ecotype increased by 3 folds, but were hardly changed in Juixi-ecotype when grown at the Cu levels higher than 10 µmol L^?1. These results indicate that the Sanmen-ecotype of E. argyi is a Cu-tolerant ecotype, and its tolerance to high Cu levels was mainly related to its extraordinary capability to restrict Cu uptake, especially Cu translocation from root to the shoot, probably by competitive uptake and translocation of Zn.     

Cadmium,Lead, Copper,Zinc, and Nickel in Lettuce and Dry Beans as Related to Mehlich-3 Extraction in Three Brazilian Latossols

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) and dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were grown in three Brazilian Red-Yellow Latossols (Oxisols) in greenhouse conditions with cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and nickel (Ni) applied to soils in treatments arranged as a randomized complete block design. Plant metals were analyzed in lettuce shoots and dry beans roots, stems, leaves, and seeds. After plant growth, soil samples from the pots were extracted with Mehlich-3 (M-3) for metal availability evaluation. The release of Ni in the M-3 extraction was dependent on the soil exchangeable aluminum (Al^{3 +}). Mehlich-3 was efficient for determination of availability of Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, and Ni for dry beans and availability of Cd and Ni for lettuce. The dry bean leaves Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, and Ni were highly correlated with their recovering from soils with M-3. The same was observed for Cd and Ni in lettuce shoots and the M-3 recovered metals from soils.     

Translocation and accumulation of heavy metals in Ocimum basilicum L. plants grown in a mining-contaminated soil

Purpose

The evaluation of the ecotoxicity effects of some heavy metals on the plant growth and metal accumulation in Ocimum basilicum L. cultivated on unpolluted and polluted soils represented the objective of the present study.

Materials and methods

The basil aromatic herb was evaluated in a laboratory experiment using soil contaminated with Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn, similar to the one from a mining area. The soils and different organs of the basil plants were analyzed, the total contents of the added elements being determined using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. The ability of basil plants to accumulate metals from soil and to translocate them in their organs was evaluated by transfer coefficient, translocation factor, enrichment factor, and geo-accumulation index determinations.

Results and discussion

The basil plants grown in the metal-polluted soil showed stimulation effects comparing with the plants from the control soil. At the end of the exposure period, the plants had a visible increase of biomass and presented inflorescences and the leaves’ green pigment was intensified. The metals gathered differently in plant organs: Cd, Co, Cr, and Pb were accumulated in roots, while Cu, Ni, and Zn in flowers. Cr and Pb exceeded the toxic levels in roots. Also, the heavy metal intake depends on the plant development stages; thus, Cd, Cr, and Pb were accumulated more in mature plant leaves. The Cd and Pb contents were higher than the World Health Organization and European Commission permissible limits.

Conclusions

The experimental results revealed that the basil plants exposed to a mixture of heavy metals have the potential to reduce the metal mobility from soil to plants. Translocation process from roots to flowers and to leaves was observed for Cu, Ni, and Zn, emphasizing a competition between metals. The calculated bioaccumulation factors were insignificant, but Cd and Pb concentrations exceeded the legal limits in the mature plants, being restricted for human or animal consumption.

     

Cadmium Uptake by Winter Wheat Seedlings in Response to Interactions Between Phosphorus and Zinc Supply in Soils

ABSTRACT

Effects of application of zinc (Zn) (0, 1, 5, 10 mg kg^?1 soil) and phosphorus (P) (0, 10, 50, 100 mg kg^?1 soil) on growth and cadmium (Cd) accumulations in shoots and roots of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings were investigated in a pot experiment. All soils were supplied with a constant concentration of Cd (6 mg kg^?1 soil). Phosphorus application resulted in a pronounced increase in shoot and root biomass. Effects of Zn on plant growth were not as marked as those of P. High Zn (10 mg kg^?1) decreased the biomass of both shoots and roots; this result may be ascribed to Zn toxicity. Phosphorus and Zn showed complicated interactions in uptake by plants within the ranges of P and Zn levels used. Cadmium in shoots decreased significantly with increasing Zn (P < 0.001) except at P addition of 10 mg kg^?1. In contrast, root Cd concentrations increased significantly except at Zn addition of 5 mg kg^?1 (P < 0.001). These results indicated that Zn might inhibit Cd translocation from roots to shoots. Cadmium concentrations increased in shoots (P < 0.001) but decreased in roots (P < 0.001) with increasing P supply. The interactions between Zn and P had a significant effect on Cd accumulation in both shoots (p = 0.002) and roots (P < 0.001).     

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.     

Alternative Washing Protocols for Releasing Metals Deposited on Leaf Surfaces

This study was performed to test suitable washing protocols for removing potentially toxic elements (PTE) deposited on leaves of plants from metal mine tailings. Two experiments were performed; with five and four treatments, respectively. In both cases, a non-washed treatment was included too. All the washing protocols significantly (p ≤ 0.05) reduced PTE concentrations in leaves of Dalea bicolor and Aliona choisyi. A. choisyi leaves had higher PTE concentrations than those of D. bicolor. From the first experiment, the concentration of lead (Pb, mg/kg) in unwashed leaves of A. choisyi was 715; while in the washed leaves treatments, it was in the range of 142–308. For cadmium (Cd) it was 23 vs the range of 7–18, for copper (Cu) it was 210 vs the range of 35–115 and for zinc (Zn) it was 3398 vs the range of 777–380, respectively. The single use of water does not remove all PTE deposited in leaves and conduces to overestimation of PTE leaf concentrations. Washing effectiveness varied according to PTE, plant species and treatments, but not the time of washing. Cd was the least removed from leaf surface (up to 69%), while Cu and Zn were the most removed from D. bicolor leaves (98% to 100%). Treatments involving the use of diluted HCl and sodium hexametaphosphate had the highest removal of Pb and Zn, while diluted HCl was effective to release Cd and Cu from leaves. The conscious washing procedure before chemical analysis leaf PTE concentration might significantly modify PTE concentration and the perception of plant accumulation.     

Effects of Zinc on Root Morphology and Antioxidant Adaptations of Cadmium-Treated Sedum alfredii H.

ABSTRACT

The study demonstrated S. alfredii is an excellent cadmium (Cd)/zinc (Zn) hyperaccumulator as Cd and Zn concentrations in leaves reached 2,183 and 13,799 mg kg^?1 DW, respectively. There was a significant increase in root morphological parameters induced by 50 and 500 μM Zn supplement; however, a sharp decrease in these parameters occurred when treated with 100 μM Cd +1000 μM Zn. The inhibited root dehydrogenase activity in 100 μM Cd treated plants was restored to control levels when supplemented with 500 μM Zn. Moderate Zn supplement did not produce significant changes in (malondialdehyde) MDA concentrations as compared with those treated with Cd alone. Variations of the antioxidative enzymes proved an ineffective role in coping with metal-stress in S. alfredii. Combined Cd and Zn treatment significantly enhanced ascorbic acid (AsA) and glutathione (GSH) contents in leaves of S. alfredii, as compared with those treated with Cd alone. Thus, Zn may rely on the involvement of GSH in detoxification and tolerance.     

Cadmium‐induced changes in glutathione and phenolics of Thlaspi and Noccaea species differing in Cd accumulation

Glutathione (GSH) and phenolics play an important role in plant defense against metal‐ion toxicity. The antioxidant activity and metal‐binding capacity of these compounds can account for the protective effects. In contrast to animal‐cell models, however, the possible interplay among these substances in stress defense of plants is poorly investigated. This study compares the influence of cadmium (Cd) on the profiles of both soluble phenolics and GSH in shoots of different Thlaspi and Noccaea species: two ecotypes of the nonhyperaccumulator T. arvense differing in Cd resistance (ecotype Aigues Vives, Cd‐sensitive, and ecotype Jena, Cd‐resistant) and two Cd‐tolerant Cd‐Zn hyperaccumulators N. praecox and N. caerulescens (formerly Thlaspi praecox and T. caerulescens). To reveal the possible influence of Cd‐induced sulfur (S) shortage on the stress response, plants receiving normal S concentrations (500 μM MgSO₄) and plants treated with surplus S (500 μM MgSO₄ + 500 μM K₂SO₄) were analyzed. Our working hypothesis was that species differences in tolerance to high tissue Cd concentrations should be reflected by differences in endogenous levels of GSH and phenolic compounds. The results reveal clear species‐dependent differences in both the constitutive patterns and the Cd‐ and S‐induced changes in shoot concentrations of GSH and phenolics. However, no simple relationship between these shoot concentrations and Cd accumulation and tolerance can be established.     

Zn accumulation and subcellular distribution in the Zn hyperaccumulator Sedurn alfredii Hance

Zn accumulation and subcellular distribution in leaves of the hyperaccumulating ecotype （HE） and non-hyperaccumulating ecotype （NHE） of Sedum alfredii Hance were studied using radiotracer and gradient centrifugation techniques. Leaf Zn accumulation in the HE of S. alfredii was 18.5-26.7 times greater than that in the NHE when the plants were grown at 1-500μmol Zn L-1. Leaf section uptake of 65Zn was highly dependent on external Zn levels. Greater 65Zn uptake in HE was noted only at external Zn levels 〉 100μmol L-1. Zinc subcellular distribution in the leaves of the two ecotypes of S. alfredii was： cell wall 〉 soluble fraction 〉 cell organelle. However, more Zn was distributed to the leaf cell wall and soluble fractions for HE than for NHE. In the leaf of HE, 91%-94% of the Zn was found in the cell walls and the soluble fraction and only 6%-9% Zn was distributed in the cell organelle fraction. For NHE, about 20%-26% Zn was recovered in the cell organelle fraction. In stems, Zn distribution to the ceil wail fraction was approximately two fold greater in the HE than that in the NHE. For the hyperaccumulating ecotype of S. alfredii, the cell wall and the vacuole played a very important role in Zn tolerance and hyperaccumulation.