紫花苜蓿对铜胁迫生理响应的傅里叶变换红外光谱法研究

为阐明紫花苜蓿(Medicago sativa L.)对铜胁迫的耐性机理,采用准确度好、分辨率高和简便快捷的傅里叶变换红外光谱法(FTIR)研究在不同铜浓度(0、1、5、20、100 mol/L)处理时紫花苜蓿根、茎、叶化学组分的变化。结果表明:随着铜处理浓度的增加,紫花苜蓿根、茎、叶生物量变化不大。其根组织在2924 cm~(-1)处峰高处呈现出先下降后上升的趋势,反映了在低铜(5 mol/L)处理条件下紫花苜蓿分泌的有机酸不断螯合Cu,造成羧酸0-H的减少,但随着Cu含量的升高,其羧酸螯合力变弱,有机酸含量渐渐升高;根组织在1381 cm~(-1)处峰高先下降后上升,反映了含油脂化合物含量先下降后升高。可能与植物在细胞壁结构上增强抗逆性有一定关系,即低Cu处理下细胞壁可能通过提高阳离子交换能力(CEC),增强了耐Cu性;茎组织在2924,1643,1381,1064 cm~(-1)等处峰高无明显变化;叶组织所有峰值在低浓度(5 mol/L)Cu处理下变化不明显,高浓度(5 moL/L)Cu处理下所有峰值先升后降,随着这可能与可溶性糖及可溶性蛋白质等物质含量都呈现先升后降的趋势有关。这表明紫花苜蓿通过根部有机酸含量的变化和提高细胞壁阳离子交换能力,将吸收的Cu大部分积累在根部,阻止Cu向地上部分运输,有效地保护了植物地上部分组织。     

外源NO对铅胁迫下三叶鬼针草幼苗活性氧代谢的影响

铅(Pb)是已知毒性最强的重金属污染源之一,一氧化氮(NO)是一种普遍存在于生物界的信使分子,广泛参与植物对Pb胁迫的应答反应调控,而三叶鬼针草(Bidens pilosa)是修复Pb污染的重要种质资源。为了进一步探明NO在植物Pb胁迫响应中的作用及机理,增强三叶鬼针草对Pb污染土壤的耐性以及更好地应用于Pb污染土壤的修复。该研究以培养60 d的三叶鬼针草幼苗为材料,用不同浓度NO供体硝普钠(SNP)预处理,测定600μmol/L硝酸铅胁迫处理第3天三叶鬼针草叶、茎和根的膜质过氧化、抗氧化酶系统和渗透调节物质含量等指标,分析外源NO对铅胁迫下三叶鬼针草活性氧代谢的影响。结果表明:300μmol/L SNP能显著降低铅胁迫下三叶鬼针草相对电导率(REC)、丙二醛(MDA)、过氧化氢(H2O2)含量以及超氧阴离子(O-2·)产生速率;能显著促进脯氨酸(Pro)、可溶性蛋白(SP)、类胡萝卜素(Car)的合成;和不同浓度SNP对三叶鬼针草叶、茎和根中抗氧化酶活性的影响较复杂,其中200μmol/L SNP能显著增强叶和茎中抗坏血酸氧化酶(APX)活性、茎中谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)活性,300μmol/L SNP能显著增强叶中过氧化物酶(POD)活性,1000μmol/L SNP能显著增强茎和根中过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性和叶中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性。综上表明,适宜浓度NO可以通过启动抗氧化系统,增加渗透调节物质含量和调节抗氧化酶活性,从而有效保护三叶鬼针草膜系统稳定性,缓解Pb胁迫伤害。因此,适宜浓度NO可以增强三叶鬼针草对Pb污染土壤的耐性,其在三叶鬼针草修复Pb污染土壤中具有较好的应用价值。     

锰胁迫对杠板归细胞超微结构的影响

锰是植物生长必需的微量元素,然而锰含量过高将影响酶活性、造成植物毒害,不同植物的锰耐性差异很大。杠板归(Polygonum perfoliatum L.)是一种生长在锰尾矿废弃地的耐性植物。通过温室培养,应用透射电子显微镜-能谱联用仪研究不同锰处理条件下(5,1000,10 000μmol/L)杠板归根、茎和叶细胞超微结构的变化和锰在叶细胞内可能的存在形式,结果表明:(1)生长介质锰含量为5μmol/L时,杠板归细胞超微结构未见异常;即使锰处理浓度为1000μmol/L时,杠板归根、茎和叶细胞结构依然完整,细胞器清晰可见,未见明显损伤;(2)当锰处理浓度为10000μmol/L时,杠板归细胞器未见缺失现象,但根细胞内线粒体数量减少,茎细胞叶绿体开始受损,叶细胞叶绿体膜结构出现破损,基粒片层结构减少,嗜锇颗粒数量明显减少;(3)与对照相比,1000μmol/L或10000μmol/L锰处理30 d,植物细胞内出现黑色团聚物。10000μmol/L锰处理条件下,杠板归叶细胞内和细胞间隙出现类似针状物质,这可能是杠板归体内锰积累和分布的形态之一。研究成果有助于阐明植物的锰耐性机制,为锰耐性植物筛选和废弃锰尾矿库生态重建提供科学参考。     

锰胁迫对盐肤木种子萌发、幼苗生长及理化特性的影响

为揭示植物适应锰胁迫的生理机制,通过在不同Mn²⁺浓度(0、1、5、10、15、20 mmol/L)下开展盐肤木(Rhus chinensis)种子萌发以及幼苗生长实验,检测锰胁迫处理7、15、30 d后幼苗生理生化特性的变化。结果表明:(1)随着Mn²⁺浓度的升高,盐肤木种子发芽率变化不显著,在80.0%-81.6%之间,发芽势、发芽指数和活力指数则呈先升后降的趋势;其幼苗生物量也呈现先升后降的趋势;(2)随着Mn²⁺浓度的升高与胁迫时间的延长,盐肤木幼苗叶绿素a、叶绿素b含量均呈现先增加后降低的趋势,类胡萝卜素含量呈现下降的趋势;(3)胁迫7 d时,随着Mn²⁺浓度的升高,盐肤木幼苗超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性均显著上升;胁迫15、30 d时,高Mn²⁺浓度(15-20 mmol/L)下POD、CAT活性则均降低;(4)胁迫7 d时,随着Mn²⁺浓度的升高,可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白、游离脯氨酸含量升高;胁迫15、30 d时,在Mn²⁺浓度为20 mmol/L时可溶性蛋白与游离脯氨酸含量显著降低;(5)随着Mn²⁺浓度的升高与胁迫时间的延长,丙二醛(MDA)含量均升高。研究说明盐肤木具有较强的耐受锰胁迫能力,它可通过增强抗氧化酶活性、积累渗透调节物质含量来应对锰胁迫。     

芸苔素对铅胁迫下远志种子萌发和幼苗生长生理特征的影响

以远志(Polygala tenuifolia Willd.)为研究对象,采用3 mmol·L^-1醋酸铅溶液模拟铅胁迫,探讨两种处理方式(预浸种、拌种)不同浓度(0 ~100 μmol·L^-1)芸苔素(EBL)对远志种子萌发、幼苗生长、生理生化特性及铅含量的影响。结果表明：(1)远志种子的发芽率、发芽势、发芽指数、活力指数和幼苗的胚芽长度、鲜重、干重在铅胁迫下显著降低,EBL预浸种和拌种处理可有效缓解远志种子和幼苗遭受铅胁迫的伤害且具有剂量效应。(2)在铅胁迫下,远志幼苗游离脯氨酸、可溶性糖和可溶性蛋白含量随EBL浓度的增加而先升后降,它们在0.01 μmol·L^-1 EBL拌种处理下分别为 0 μmol·L^-1 EBL处理的1.99、2.31、1.95倍,且拌种处理影响较浸种处理更为显著。(3)在铅胁迫下,远志幼苗超氧化物歧化酶、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶、过氧化物酶、过氧化氢酶活性均随EBL浓度的增加而先上升后下降,且预浸种和拌种处理的酶活性均在0.01 μmol·L^-1 EBL浓度下最强。(4)在铅胁迫下,远志幼苗MDA和 H₂O₂含量均随着EBL浓度增加而先下降后上升,均与空白对照(CK)差异显著,且预浸种和拌种处理的含量均在0.01 μmol·L^-1 EBL浓度下最低。(5)远志种子和幼苗中Pb含量在铅胁迫处理后均大幅显著增加,拌种处理种子中铅含量增幅远大于浸种处理,而幼苗中铅含量增幅在两种处理间无显著差异;铅胁迫种子中铅含量在0.0001 μmol·L^-1 EBL预浸种处理后显著升高,在0.0001~1.0 μmol·L^-1 EBL拌种处理后显著降低,而幼苗中铅含量在各浓度EBL拌种和浸种处理后均显著升高,并均在0.01 μmol·L^-1 EBL处理下最高。研究发现,铅胁迫致使远志幼苗抗氧化酶防御系统受损,严重抑制了远志种子萌发及幼苗生长;适宜浓度(0.01 μmol·L^-1)EBL能通过调节铅胁迫下远志幼苗渗透调节物质含量、保护酶系统活性而有效缓解过氧化伤害,增强植株抵抗铅胁迫伤害的能力,显著促进种子萌发和幼苗生长,从而表现出较好的抗逆性,但却显著促进了幼苗中铅的积累。     

滇紫草培养细胞中色素合成的代谢调节

培养基中分别加入浓度为10^-5mol／L的铜离子,滇紫草愈伤组织中色素含量提高了5．5倍,悬浮细胞中色素含量提高8．1倍。细胞培养第21天,加入浓度为10^-5mol／L的L-Phe,色素的合成量最大。浓度为10^-6mol／L的抗坏血酸,能明显地促进培养细胞中色素的合成。     

油菜素内酯浸种对盐胁迫番茄种子萌发的影响及其生理机制

为揭示油菜素甾醇类化合物提高作物耐盐的效应和机理,研究了10^-11、10^-10、10^-9、10^-8、10^-7、10^-6、10^-5 mol/L 2,4-表油菜素内酯（EBL）浸种处理对0、50、100、150、175 mmol/L NaCl胁迫7 d的番茄种子萌发、生长、溶质积累、抗氧化代谢的影响。结果显示：NaCl浓度越高的盐胁迫下,10^-9 mol/L EBL浸种可体现出越显著的促进番茄种子萌发的效应;在所有处理下,EBL浸种浓度过高,即10^-6、10^-5 mol/L EBL,均表现出对种子萌发的抑制效应。盐胁迫下种子萌发后,一定浓度的EBL浸种可表现出明显的增加种子胚根和下胚轴长,提高萌发种子鲜重和种子活力指数,其中10^-9 mol/L EBL浸种处理促进效果最适;EBL浸种浓度过高,则表现出抑制效应。150 mmol/L NaCl胁迫或非盐胁迫下,10^-9 mol/L EBL浸种均可降低萌发种子体内的O₂^·-、H₂O₂、丙二醛（MDA）和脯氨酸（Pro）含量;盐胁迫下,10^-9 mol/L EBL浸种可显著提高萌发种子可溶性糖（SS）和可溶性蛋白（SP）的含量。150 mmol/L NaCl胁迫或非盐胁迫下,10^-9 mol/L EBL处理可不同程度促进番茄种苗超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）和过氧化物酶（POD）活性的上升。综上所述,盐胁迫下,一定浓度范围内的EBL浸种可明显促进番茄种子萌发或成苗,其中以10^-9 mol/L EBL浸种的效果最好,主要是因为EBL施用可积极促进番茄种子萌发中物质转化,SS和SP等溶质积累增多,增强其渗透调节能力;同时SOD和POD酶活增强,缓解盐胁迫导致番茄种子萌发中的次生氧化胁迫。     

铅铬胁迫对小麦种子萌发及幼苗脯氨酸含量的影响北大核心CSCD

旨在探讨铅铬胁迫对小麦的毒害效应以及对幼苗脯氨酸的影响。用不同浓度的铅铬溶液处理小麦,研究铅铬单一及复合胁迫对小麦种子萌发及幼苗脯氨酸含量的影响。结果表明,铅铬单一及复合胁迫均使得小麦种子萌发率降低,幼苗株高、根长降低,鲜物质量和干物质量减少。铅铬处理1 d后,各处理组小麦体内的脯氨酸含量较对照都有升高,尤其是复合胁迫下100mg/L Pb+100 mg/L Cr处理组,其小麦脯氨酸含量较对照升高了32.81%。铅铬处理3、5和7 d后,100 mg/L Cr、50 mg/L Cr、200mg/L Pb+100 mg/L Cr、100 mg/L Pb+100 mg/L Cr这4个处理组的小麦脯氨酸含量较对照均显著升高,其它各处理组与对照相比差异不显著。铅铬胁迫抑制了小麦种子的萌发和幼苗生长,使得小麦体内脯氨酸含量升高,因此建议脯氨酸含量的变化可以作为监测植物铅铬胁迫的指标之一。     

铅铬胁迫对小麦种子萌发及幼苗脯氨酸含量的影响

旨在探讨铅铬胁迫对小麦的毒害效应以及对幼苗脯氨酸的影响。用不同浓度的铅铬溶液处理小麦,研究铅铬单一及复合胁迫对小麦种子萌发及幼苗脯氨酸含量的影响。结果表明,铅铬单一及复合胁迫均使得小麦种子萌发率降低,幼苗株高、根长降低,鲜物质量和干物质量减少。铅铬处理1 d后,各处理组小麦体内的脯氨酸含量较对照都有升高,尤其是复合胁迫下100mg/L Pb+100 mg/L Cr处理组,其小麦脯氨酸含量较对照升高了32.81%。铅铬处理3、5和7 d后,100 mg/L Cr、50 mg/L Cr、200mg/L Pb+100 mg/L Cr、100 mg/L Pb+100 mg/L Cr这4个处理组的小麦脯氨酸含量较对照均显著升高,其它各处理组与对照相比差异不显著。铅铬胁迫抑制了小麦种子的萌发和幼苗生长,使得小麦体内脯氨酸含量升高,因此建议脯氨酸含量的变化可以作为监测植物铅铬胁迫的指标之一。     

锰胁迫下盐肤木锰富集及生理响应特征

为揭示盐肤木(Rhus chinensis)锰积累特征与耐受机制,该研究通过盆栽试验方法,分析0(CK)、1、5、10和20 mmol·L^-1Mn²⁺胁迫对半年生盐肤木幼苗生长、生理生化特征及其锰富集特征的影响。结果表明：(1)盐肤木在Mn²⁺浓度为0~10 mmol·L^-1条件下生长发育状况良好,且在5 mmol·L^-1Mn²⁺处理下叶片舒展,叶片颜色较深,生长最佳,而在20 mmol·L^-1Mn²⁺条件下部分叶片出现褐色斑点、萎蔫卷边的现象;随着Mn²⁺浓度的升高,盐肤木幼苗的生物量呈先升高后下降的趋势,并在5 mmol·L^-1Mn²⁺胁迫时最高。(2)随着Mn²⁺浓度的升高,盐肤木叶片中光合色素含量呈先升后降的趋势,且在Mn²⁺浓度为5 mmol·L^-1时达到峰值。(3)随着Mn²⁺浓度的升高,盐肤木幼苗叶片SOD、POD和CAT活性以及可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白、游离脯氨酸含量均呈先增加后下降的趋势,且多在Mn²⁺浓度为10 mmol·L^-1时达到峰值,而其MDA含量随着Mn²⁺浓度的升高逐渐增加。(4)随着Mn²⁺浓度的升高,盐肤木地上部和地下部锰含量及总锰含量均逐渐增加,其锰生物富集系数下降且均大于1,其转运系数则呈增加的趋势且均小于1。研究发现,盐肤木具有较强的锰富集、转运能力与锰耐受能力,属于锰根部囤积型耐重金属植物,它主要通过积累渗透调节物质、增强抗氧化酶活性以及在根部囤积锰的方式来应对锰胁迫。     

行道树毛白杨树干中重金属元素分布

采用电感耦合等离子体发射光谱法(ICP),测定分析首都机场高速公路旁毛白杨(Populus tomentosa Carr.)树干中Pb、Cd、Cr、Cu、Zn、Ni和Mn 7种重金属元素的含量及积累量,比较分析树干不同组织、不同方位、不同龄级年轮重金属含量差异及与交通量、关键气候因子的相关性。结果表明:树干木质部中各重金属平均含量由大到小依次为Zn、Cu、Cr、Mn、Ni、Pb、Cd,树皮中依次为Zn、Mn、Cr、Pb、Cu、Cd、Ni,树皮中各重金属元素的含量明显高于木质部;同一树干木质部中,各重金属元素在不同方位的分布有所差异,其中,靠近车道一侧的各重金属元素含量均高于背离车道一侧,南北向比较中,Ni、Zn为南侧含量高于北侧,其他5种重金属元素均为北侧高于南侧;以5a为一个龄级将年轮划分为5个龄组,各龄级年轮中重金属含量随时间的变化趋势各异,其中Pb、Cd、Cu、Zn总体呈递减趋势,且与年降水量、最低气温、日照时数、雨天日数和大风日数呈正相关趋势,与年平均气温和最高气温呈负相关趋势;各元素在毛白杨树干木质部中的积累量表现为ZnCrCuMnPbNiCd。     

两种大型真菌菌丝体对重金属的耐受和富集特性

用平板培养法检测大型真菌秀珍菇和猪肚菇菌丝体对重金属铬、铅和锰的耐受及富集特性。分别测定了3种重金属不同浓度处理下秀珍菇和猪肚菇的菌落直径、菌丝体干重和菌丝体中的重金属含量。结果表明:秀珍菇和猪肚菇菌丝体对Cr的耐受特性和耐受能力相当,二者的菌落直径和菌丝体干重均随Cr处理浓度的增加先升高后降低,生长抑制率为50%的Cr浓度都约为200 mg/L,对铬的最大耐受浓度都为500 mg/L。秀珍菇菌丝体对Pb敏感,100 mg/L的Pb即可极显著的抑制秀珍菇菌丝的生长,而猪肚菇则直到500 mg/L的Pb,菌丝体的生长都未受显著影响;二者生长抑制率为50%的Pb浓度分别为100 mg/L和700 mg/L,最大耐受浓度分别为1000 mg/L和2000 mg/L;因此,猪肚菇对Pb的耐受能力比秀珍菇强。秀珍菇不耐锰,而猪肚菇对锰表现出相对较高的耐受能力,生长抑制率为50%的Mn浓度约为1000 mg/L,最大耐受能力为6000 mg/L。秀珍菇菌丝体对Cr和Pb、猪肚菇菌丝体对Cr和Mn均没有达到超富集。但猪肚菇菌丝体中Pb的含量可达1125.56 mg/kg(干重),达到超富集水平,暗示猪肚菇可能是铅超富集大型真菌。     

Bioaccumulation of copper, lead and zinc by the bivalves Macomona liliana and Austrovenus stutchburyi

Aquatic organisms take up heavy metals from surrounding environments which accumulate in their body tissues. In the region of Auckland, New Zealand, the heavy metals, copper (Cu), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) are the primary sediment contaminants of concern. Previous investigations have revealed adverse effects of Cu and Zn, but not of Pb, on estuarine infauna and a higher sensitivity of the deposit-feeding bivalve Macomona liliana than the suspension-feeding bivalve Austrovenus stutchburyi to these metals. In order to further examine the bioavailability of Cu, Pb and/or Zn and their interactive effects, bioaccumulation of Cu, Pb and Zn was measured in M. liliana and A. stutchburyi after 10-day exposure to these metals in the laboratory. Both bivalves accumulated Pb and Zn, while bioaccumulation of Cu only occurred in A. stutchburyi in the presence of Zn. There was some evidence that the presence of Pb could increase bioaccumulation of Zn. Bioaccumulation was generally much higher in M. liliana than in A. stutchburyi, potentially suggesting their higher uptake rates of metals and thus explaining the higher sensitivity of M. liliana to these heavy metals. Bioaccumulation of Pb in the bivalves and its potential influences on the bioavailability of other metals indicated that, despite the lack of any evidence for acute toxicity of Pb in previous studies, it could still pose a potentially important environmental threat. Bioaccumulation of heavy metals found in the present study also highlights the needs for further investigations of potential chronic toxicity of these metals.     

Phytoremediation potential of Eichornia crassipes in metal-contaminated coastal water

The potential of Eichornia crassipes to serve as a phytoremediation plant in the cleaning up of metals from contaminated coastal areas was evaluated in this study. Ten metals, As, Cd, Cu, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, V and Zn were assessed in water and the plant roots and shoots from the coastal area of Ondo State, Nigeria and the values were used to evaluate the enrichment factor (EF) and translocation factor (TF) in the plant. The critical concentrations of the metals were lower than those specified for hyperaccumulators thus classifying the plant as an accumulator but the EF and TF revealed that the plant accumulated toxic metals such as Cr, Cd, Pb and As both at the root and at the shoot in high degree, which indicates that the plant that forms a large biomass on the water surface and is not fed upon by animals can serve as a plant for both phytoextraction and rhizofiltration in phytoremediation technology.     

Organic and inorganic human-induced contamination of Posidonia oceanica meadows

In coastal environments, plants are used for phytoremediation of contamination. Organic and inorganic contaminants may be due to natural and/or anthropogenic sources. The aim of this study is to compare inorganic (trace metal) and organic (PAH) contamination in Posidonia oceanica and to analyse the relationship between these types of pollutants indeed very few studies have been interested in their correlations and common sources. P. oceanica leaves were collected in two sites exhibiting different levels of human-induced pressure. Higher values were recorded in the more polluted site (Toulon) for trace metals (Ag, Hg, Pb) as well as for PAHs (Medium Molecular Weight and High Molecular Weight) due to the presence of the city and/or harbour in proximity. For the first time in a coastal environment, correlations were observed between metals and PAHs.     

A plant genetically modified that accumulates Pb is especially promising for phytoremediation

From a number of wild plant species growing on soils highly contaminated by heavy metals in Eastern Spain, Nicotiana glauca R. Graham (shrub tobacco) was selected for biotechnological modification, because it showed the most appropriate properties for phytoremediation. This plant has a wide geographic distribution, is fast-growing with a high biomass, and is repulsive to herbivores. Following Agrobacterium mediated transformation, the induction and overexpression of a wheat gene encoding phytochelatin synthase (TaPCS1) in this particular plant greatly increased its tolerance to metals such as Pb and Cd, developing seedling roots 160% longer than wild type plants. In addition, seedlings of transformed plants grown in mining soils containing high levels of Pb (1572 ppm) accumulated double concentration of this heavy metal than wild type. These results indicate that the transformed N. glauca represents a highly promising new tool for use in phytoremediation efforts.     

Differential expression of proteins induced by lead in the Dwarf Sunflower Helianthus annuus

The Dwarf Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is a hyperaccumulator of toxic metals including cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), and lead (Pb). In order to identify stress response to Pb, plants were exposed to a mixture of 30 mg/l of three ions, Cd, Cr, and Ni, with and without Pb. Soluble proteins were resolved by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Four proteins were differentially expressed and very abundant in the leaf samples after plants were exposed to all these four metals. The first protein spot contained two proteins: chitinase and a chloroplast drought-induced stress protein CDSP-34. The second spot contained a thaumatin-like protein. Two proteins in spot 3 were identified as heat-shock cognate 70-1 and the large subunit of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase. Several peptides were identified in spot 4 but none could be matched to any sequence in the NCBI database.     

Ecophysiological responses of the mangrove Avicennia marina to trace metal contamination

Growth responses of Avicennia marina seedlings to contamination by different concentrations of two essential (Cu, Zn) and two non-essential (Pb, Hg) trace metals were studied under glasshouse conditions. We tested the hypothesis that soil retention and root ultrafiltration would exclude most of the trace metals, and that those that are absorbed and translocated to the shoots would interfere with plant performance and be excreted via leaf salt glands. One-month-old seedlings were subjected to Cu, Zn, Pb and Hg at concentrations of 0, 40, 80, 120 and 160 μg g⁻¹ sediment for 12 months in a randomized complete block design (n = 6). Photosynthesis was measured at the end of 12 months of trace metal exposure with a portable gas exchange system and chlorophyll fluorescence with a pulse-modulated fluorometer. After morphometric measurements, plants were harvested and analyzed for Cu, Zn, Pb and Hg by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Total dry biomass decreased with increasing trace metal concentration for all metals. In the 160 μg g⁻¹ Cu, Zn, Hg and Pb treatments, total biomass was significantly lower than the control value by 43%, 37%, 42% and 40%, respectively. Decreases in plant height and number of leaves followed trends similar to those for total biomass and ranged from 37% to 60%, compared to the controls. Decreases in chlorophyll content in the trace metal treatments ranged from 50% to 58% compared to the control. Carbon dioxide exchange, quantum yield of photosystem II (PSII), electron transport rate (ETR) through PSII and photosynthetic efficiency of PSII (F_v/F_m) were highest in the control treatment and decreased with increasing trace metal concentrations. Decreases in CO₂ exchange in the 160 μg g⁻¹ treatments for all trace metals ranged from 50% to 60%. Concentrations of all trace metals in plant organs increased with increasing metal concentrations and were higher in roots than in shoots, with concentrations of Cu and Zn being considerably higher than those of Hg and Pb. Qualitative elemental analyses and X-ray mapping of crystalline deposits over the glands at the leaf surfaces indicated that Cu and Zn were excreted from the salt glands, while Hg and Pb were absent, at least being below the limits of detection. These results demonstrate that growth processes are sensitive to trace metals and therefore can be considered as a cost of metal tolerance, but salt glands of this mangrove species do contribute eliminating at least part of physiologically essential trace metals if taken up in excess.     

Common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) scales as a bioindicator reflecting its exposure to heavy metals throughout life

The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the usefulness of fish scales as a bioindicator reflecting the concentrations of heavy metals in the environment as compared to typical recognized bioindicators such as the liver or kidney. Heavy metal (Zn, Mn, Cu, Cd, Fe, Ni, Pb) concentration analysis (with the atomic absorption technique) was performed in different annuli on the fish scale to characterize the metals’ accumulation in the consecutive years of the fish's life corresponding to individual scale increments. The results confirmed the usefulness of fish scales as a bioindicative tissue reflecting the condition of the environment in subsequent growing seasons. The results of the present study demonstrated that fish scales are more sensitive to the accumulation of Mn, Ni, and Pb, whose concentrations in different parts of the scales were even 10 times higher than in soft tissues, and significantly correlated with their levels in liver or kidney. In light of this finding, further studies involving controlled exposure of fish to different metals could be performed. Their results could allow for obtaining an excellent tool for monitoring the environment inhabited by fish in the present and past without the need to kill the animals.     

Accumulation of Indium and other heavy metals by Eleocharis acicularis: an option for phytoremediation and phytomining

Eleocharis acicularis was exposed to different concentrations of In, Ag, Pb, Cu, Cd, and Zn in the laboratory to assess its capability in accumulating these metals. After 15 days, 477 mg/kg dry wt. of In was accumulated by the roots; concentrations of Ag, Pb, Cu, Cd, and Zn in the shoots were 326, 1120, 575, 195, and 213 mg/kg dry wt., respectively. The results indicate that E. acicularis has the ability to accumulate these metals from water, making it a good candidate species for phytoremediation and phytomining.