Analysis of Some Divalent Metal Contents in Tobacco Expressing the Exogenous Soybean Ferritin Gene

Abstract

T2 tobacco lines overexpressing soybean ferritin in the plastids (+TPs) or apoplasm (AFs) under the regulation of CaMV 35S promoter were grown on MS nutrient solution. After 1 month growth, statuses of six major divalent‐metals (Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, and Zn) were measured in leaves and roots. Both +TPs and AFs showed enhanced growth (max. 1.7×) in leaves than the control line. The Fe contents in leaves of +TPs and AFs were significantly larger (1.9–2.8×) than that of the control line. The other metal contents in leaves of +TPs and AFs were almost the same as or less than those of the control line. In contrast to the result of leaves, the growth enhancement in roots was not clear in +TPs, but in AFs. Also, some of the non‐ferrous metal contents in roots of +TPs and AFs were dramatically increased compared with those of the control line (Mn, 1.9–10.4×; Zn, 1.6–2.3×), whereas the differences in content of Fe, Cu, Ca, and Mg were insignificant. These results demonstrated that the ferritin overexpression in apoplasm was as effective for inducing Fe accumulation as that in plastid. Under the normal metal‐balanced condition, even if the activation of Fe uptake related enzymes leads to the accumulation of non‐specific accumulation of divalent metal ions in roots, an Fe loading/unloading system and/or an internal translocator in xylem and phloem might specifically deliver Fe to the upper part of plants.     

Critical body residues (CBRs) for ecotoxicological soil quality assessment: copper in earthworms

The term ‘critical body residue’ (CBR) was defined as the lowest observed total body concentration of a contaminant in an organism, which is associated with the occurrence of adverse toxic effects in either individuals or populations of a defined age or stage of development. In this study, internal toxicity thresholds were determined for copper in the clitellated adult stage of earthworms (Lumbricus rubellus and Aporrectodea caliginosa). The objective was to assess the applicability of CBRs as a practical tool in soil quality assessment of contaminated sites and as a means of a sustainable protection of earthworm fauna. Laboratory studies showed that body concentrations of Cu were generally in agreement with the chemically available CaCl₂-extractable fraction in soil, but that there was also some evidence of internal pH-related homeostatic regulation. Toxicological correlates of body Cu concentrations with adverse effects on cocoon production (fecundity) suggested an approximate sublethal internal threshold of about 40 mg kg⁻¹, with mortality occurring at about 60 mg kg⁻¹. Adult L. rubellus sampled from areas with a wide range of metal pollution showed body Cu concentrations with a minimum of 8 mg kg⁻¹ and a maximum of 60 mg kg⁻¹. Beyond this apparent physiological tolerance range, environmental management directed at optimal earthworm population survival may not be sustainable in contaminated fields. Studies of L. rubellus colonizing a metal-contaminated experimental sludge-treated field showed that a reduced rate of colonization can already be associated with an average body Cu concentration of 25 mg kg⁻¹. However, in this particular field situation mixture effects of other metals that were also present in the soil and the occurrence of avoidance behaviour during colonization may have contributed to this low internal toxicity threshold. It is concluded that the CBR approach seems to be a feasible option for use as a tool in a bioavailability-based soil quality assessment, even for essential trace metals like copper, but that further insight may be needed to establish the uncertainty and reliability of the application in environmental quality assessment and decision making.     

Interactions between earthworms, trees, soil nutrition and metal mobility in amended Pb/Zn mine tailings from Guangdong, China

This paper reports research that attempts to rehabilitate toxic Pb/Zn mine tailings, in Guangdong, China, to achieve a healthy functional soil that supports sustainable vegetation. We studied the effects of the earthworm Pheretima guillelmi on the growth of a woody legume Leucaena leucocephala on Pb/Zn mine tailings diluted with varying amounts of mineral soil in pot experiments. L. leucocephala grew successfully on tailings with a 25% (w/w) soil amendment, but P. guillelmi only survived and actively burrowed with a 50% soil amendment. The presence of earthworms improved the yield of plants by 10-30%. Whilst earthworms marginally increased available N and P in soil, they increased uptake of phosphorus (by about 10%) to above-ground plant tissues. Six-month-old plants were more sensitive than 10-month plants to metal stress. P. guillelmi increased bioavailable metal concentrations in the amended spoils, accompanied by a direct increase of metal uptake by the plants. Increased metal uptake by plants was largely due to the higher dry matter production stimulated by earthworm activity, but this increased the rate of metal uptake into plants from spoil by at least 16% and as much as 53%. These results demonstrate that we should broaden the ecological context of phytoremediation by considering the plant-soil-animal interactions that influence metal mobility.     

Water allocation and management in an emerging spate irrigation system in Makanya catchment, Tanzania

Although spate irrigation systems are risk-prone, they can be an important component for livelihood security in semi-arid areas. Spate uses water (flood water), which upstream users often do not require, as rainfall during these periods is more than sufficient. The use of this flood water for spate irrigation is therefore a good opportunity to convert water with a low opportunity cost to high value water. As more rivers are closing, due to socio-economic and climate changes, spate irrigation may become increasingly relevant in semi-arid areas. Spate irrigation systems pose institutional and technical challenges: collective action is challenged by complex upstream-downstream interactions between users within the system, and the high labour demands for regular reconstruction of temporary diversion weirs and intake structures. This paper describes a spate irrigation system in Makanya village, Tanzania that emerged in response to increased upstream water use. We use three of the four dimensions (hydrological, hydraulic and sociological) of spate irrigation proposed by Van Steenbergen (1997) to assess the Makanya spate irrigation system. The Makanya spate irrigation system has an organisational structure that is similar to the canal irrigation (furrow) committees located upstream, and effectively deals with the institutional demands of managing water in spate irrigation systems. Water allocation is reminiscent to the water sharing arrangements existing in the full irrigation system, which previously was in place at the site and in the high- and midlands of the Makanya catchment and therefore set this system apart from the traditional spate irrigation practice elsewhere. Technically, a major challenge is the reconstruction of the head works after each flood. Another aspect is the changes in the river bed. Flash floods carry sediments that deposit on the fields, raising the elevation of the irrigated land every year and making it increasingly difficult for the river water to enter the plots. Improving system efficiency through modernisation of the diversion and distribution structures in this case is not feasible due to the huge amounts of sediments delivered to the system each year. Instead investments in conjunctive use of groundwater could be the solution because it involves a relatively small intervention, minimises the physical disturbance of the system, and therefore is likely to respect the existing locally developed water management arrangements.     

茶汤组分与金属离子的络合性能

用直接观察法、酒石酸亚铁法和铬黑 T 祛对绿茶茶汤组分与23种金属离子的络合性能进行了研究,结果表明,有22种金属离子可与茶汤组分发生络合或还原络合反应,其中有10种金属离子参与了茶多酚的络合。钙离子可与茶汤组分生成低溶解度的络合物,其溶解度及稳定性可随反应溶液 pH 升高而下降。钙络合沉淀中的主要茶汤组分是茶多酚,其中以酯型儿茶素含量最高。     

火焰原子吸收光谱法测定黄连中金属元素的含量

[目的]利用原子吸收光谱法测定黄连中金属元素的含量。[方法]使用HNO3～HClO4体系消解样品,并采用火焰原子吸收光谱法测定6种不同来源的黄连中的Mg、Fe、Mn、Cu和Zn等5种金属元素的含量。[结果]黄连中含有丰富的金属元素,其中Mg的含量最高,Fe、Mn和Zn含量相差不大,Cu的含量最低;加标回收率在100.10%～107.24%,相对标准偏差在0.19%～3.69%(n=6)。[结论]该方法快速、简便、灵敏,结果准确可靠,可用于黄连的质量控制及资源开发。     

农业科研事业单位资产管理模式改革探讨

"十一五"以来,国家财政对农业科研投入逐年增加,农业科研单位硬件设施不断改善,固定资产快速增值。文章分析了农业科研单位的资产现状及资产管理存在的问题,如固定资产不计提折旧、资产重复购置等,并针对这些问题从设立专门的资产管理机构、建立资产查询信息系统、对固定资产计提折旧与减值准备等方面,提出了农业科研事业单位国有资产管理模式改革思路,以期促进国有资产的保值与增值。     

微波消解-ICP-AES法测定粮食中的金属元素

[目的]研究几种粮食中金属元素含量的测定方法。[方法]采用微波消解、电感耦合等离子体发射光谱法测定6种粮食中的金属元素。[结果]糙米、大米、燕麦、荞麦、玉米、黑米6种粮食中富含多种对人体有益的金属元素,如K、Na、Ca、Mg、Al、Fe、Zn等,但是不同品种间差别较大。其中黑米中各种金属元素的含量均较高,糙米、燕麦次之;糙米中各种微量元素的含量均远远高于大米。方法回收率在94.2%～103.2%,相对标准偏差小于4.0%。[结论]方法操作简单,分析速度快,准确度高,灵敏度好。     

甜菜BvMTP11基因的克隆及序列分析

在植物中,金属耐受蛋白(Metal tolerant proteins,MTPs)是阳离子转运家族(Cation effluxtransporters)重要的成员之一,其在细胞重金属逆境耐受性及离子平衡代谢中发挥着重要的作用。本研究通过RT-PCR方法,在甜菜体内克隆获得了Beta vulgaris metal tolerantce protein 11(BvMTP11)基因的全长序列。该基因CDS全长为1 227 bp,编码了408个氨基酸,分子量(Mw)和等电点(pI)分别为45.935 kDa和4.89,属于相对不稳定蛋白。该基因编码的蛋白有5个跨膜螺旋区,是一种具有阳离子排出域(Cation efflux domain)的膜蛋白,并且有80%的可能性定位于过氧化物酶体膜上。因此可以推测,BvMTP11可能作为甜菜体内重要的转运蛋白参与到重金属逆境胁迫应答网络中,同时,该基因的克隆也为进一步研究其在重金属逆境下的分子机制奠定基础。     

用薯莨提取液对真丝织物染色增重的最佳工艺及金属离子后处理的改性效果

采用天然染料改善真丝性能有利于环保和人体健康。研究了以天然薯莨提取液为染料,应用汽蒸染色方法对真丝织物进行染色增重的最佳工艺,比较了分别用Fe3+、Cu2+、Cr6+3种金属离子进行后处理的改性效果。薯莨提取液对真丝增重的最佳工艺是:汽蒸温度110℃、湿度85%,汽蒸8次,汽蒸时间4 min,带液率180%、含固量6.28%。用Fe3+、Cu2+、Cr6+金属离子后处理的最佳质量浓度分别为12、10、10 g/L。Fe3+、Cr6+后处理的真丝织物其增重率随离子浓度的增加逐渐增大,而Cu2+后处理的真丝织物增重率在离子浓度上升到一定程度后有所降低。用Fe3+后处理的真丝织物颜色最深,呈红黑色;用Cu2+后处理的真丝织物颜色偏深,色相在红黄之间;用Cr6+后处理的真丝织物偏暗黄色。3种金属离子用于染色真丝织物的后处理,均在一定程度上提高了薯莨提取液染色增重真丝的色牢度和拒水性能,能明显提高真丝织物的紫外屏蔽性能,其中经Cr6+后处理的真丝织物拒水性能和紫外屏蔽性能最为显著。