Phytoavailability of Heavy Metals and Metalloids in Soils Irrigated with Wastewater,Akaki, Ethiopia: A Greenhouse Study

Irrigation with untreated wastewater from several industrial, commercial, and domestic discharges for decades caused accumulation of various heavy metals and metalloids in soils along the Akaki River in Ethiopia. Assessment of environmental threats and the potential phytoremediation of the soils require understanding of the toxic elements’ uptake and distribution in plant parts. Hence, a greenhouse study was performed to examine the phytoavailability and distribution of Cr, Ni, Co, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Hg, Se, V, and As in forage grasses: Oat (Avena sativa), Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana), Setaria (Setaria sphacelata), and the legumes Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and Desmodium (Desmodium unicinatum). The average contents of Cr, Ni, Co, Cu, Zn, Pb, Hg, Se, and V in the plants were generally higher than the background levels for forage grasses/legumes, and some of these elements were in the phytotoxic range. Root bioconcentration factor (BCF = root to soil concentration ratio) > 1 was observed for Cu (Oat, Rhodes, Desmodium, and Setaria: Fluvisol), Zn (Setaria: Fluvisol), Cd (Rhodes: Fluvisol; Setaria from both soils) and Hg (Oat and Alfalfa: Fluvisol). Alfalfa and Desmodium displayed translocation factor > 1 (TF = shoot to root concentration ratio) for most heavy metals. Most heavy metals/metalloids may pose a health threat to humans and stock via introduction to the food chain. The plant factors (species and plant part), soil factors (soil type, soil fractions, pH, and CEC), and their interactions significantly (p < 0.05) influenced plant heavy metal and metalloid levels. However, the role of plant part and species emerged as the most important on heavy metal uptake, translocation, sequestration, and ultimately transfer to the food chain. Accordingly, the uptake and distribution of heavy metals/metalloids in the plants reflect the potential environmental and health hazards attributable to the use of fodder grasses, legumes, and cultivation of vegetables in soils with polymetallic and metalloid contamination.     

Phytostabilization of Acidic Soils with Heavy Metal Contamination Using Three Forage Grasses in Combination with Organic and Inorganic Amendments

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of organic and inorganic amendments on metal stabilization and the potential of three forage grasses, i.e., Pennisetum americanum × Pennisetum, Euchlaena mexicana, and Sorghum dochna, for phytostabilization of acidic heavy metal-contaminated soils. The three grasses died 5 days after transplanting into the contaminated soils. Organic fertilizer (pig slurry and plant ash) only or combined with lime, NPK fertilizer, and sewage sludge resulted in adequate grass growth in the contaminated soils through a significant increase in the soil pH, N, P, K, and organic matter contents, and a decrease in the metal concentrations. The shoot biomass of P. americanum×P. purpureum and S. dochna was 1.92 and 2.00 times higher than that of E. Mexicana. The solubility of Cd, Pb, and Zn strongly depends on organic matter, while the solubility of Cu strongly depends on both soil organic matter and pH. The concentrations of Cd, Pb, and Zn in plant shoots growing in soil with a mixed amendment were significantly lower than plants growing in soil amended with an organic fertilizer only, whereas the Cu concentrations in plant shoots exhibited the opposite trend. The results indicated that 5% organic fertilizer only or combined with 5% sewage sludge were appropriate amendments and S. dochna and P. americanum × Pennisetum are suitable plants for phytostabilization of acidic heavy metal-polluted soils.     

Mobilization of Cu and Zn by root exudates of dicotyledonous plants in resin-buffered solutions and in soil

It has been frequently suggested that root exudates play a role in trace metal mobilization and uptake by plants, but there is little in vivo evidence. We studied root exudation of dicotyledonous plants in relation to mobilization and uptake of Cu and Zn in nutrient solutions and in a calcareous soil at varying Cu and Zn supply. Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) were grown on resin-buffered nutrient solutions at varying free ion activities of Cu (pCu 13.0–10.4) and Zn (pZn 10.1–6.6). The Cu and Zn concentrations in the nutrient solution increased with time, except in plant-free controls, indicating that the plant roots released organic ligands that mobilized Cu and Zn from the resin. At same pCu, soluble Cu increased more at low Zn supply, as long as Zn deficiency effects on growth were small. Zinc deficiency was observed in most treatment solutions with pZn ≥ 9.3, but not in nutrient solutions of a smaller volume/plant ratio in which higher Zn concentrations were observed at same pZn. Root exudates of Zn-deficient plants showed higher specific UV absorbance (SUVA, an indicator of aromaticity and metal affinity) than those of non-deficient plants. Measurement of the metal diffusion flux with the DGT technique showed that the Cu and Zn complexes in the nutrient solutions were highly labile. Diffusive transport (through the unstirred layer surrounding the roots) of the free ion only could not explain the observed plant uptake of Cu and of Zn at low Zn²⁺ activity. The Cu and Zn uptake by the plants was well explained if it was assumed that the complexes with root exudates contributed 0.4% (Cu) or 20% (Zn) relative to the free ion. In the soil experiment, metal concentrations and organic C concentrations were larger in the solution of planted soils than in unplanted controls. The SUVA of the soil solution after plant growth was higher for unamended soils, on which the plants were Zn-deficient, than for Zn-amended soils. In conclusion, root exudates of dicotyledonous plants are able to mobilize Cu and Zn, and plants appear to respond to Zn deficiency by exuding root exudates with higher metal affinity.     

Litter N retention over winter for a low and a high phenolic species in the alpine tundra

Mycorrhizal fungus colonization of roots may modify plant metal acquisition and tolerance. In the present study, the contribution of the extraradical mycelium of an arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus, Glomus mosseae (BEG 107), to the uptake of metal cations (Cu, Zn, Cd and Ni) by cucumber (Cucumis sativus) plants was determined. The influence of the amount of P supplied to the hyphae on the acquisition and partitioning of metal cations in the mycorrhizal plants was also investigated. Pots with three compartments were used to separate root and root-free hyphal growing zones. The shoot concentration of Cd and Ni was decreased in mycorrhizal plants compared to non-mycorrhizal plants. In contrast, shoot Zn and Cu concentrations were increased in mycorrhizal plants. High P supply to hyphae resulted in decreased root Cu concentrations and shoot Cd and Ni concentrations in mycorrhizal plants. These results confirm that some elements required for plant growth (P, Zn, Cu) are taken up by mycorrhizal hyphae and are then transported to the plants. Conversely, Cd and Ni were transported in much smaller amounts by hyphae to the plant, so that arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus colonization could partly protect plants from toxic effects of these elements. Selective uptake and transport of plant essential elements over non-essential elements by AM hyphae, increased growth of mycorrhizal plants, and metal accumulation in the root may all contribute to the successful growth of mycorrhizal plants on metal-rich substrates. These effects are stimulated when hyphae can access sufficient P in soil.     

Phytoextraction of cadmium with Thlaspi caerulescens

The in situ phytoextraction of cadmium from soils can only be achieved using plants that are both tolerant to high Cd concentrations and able to extract sufficient amounts of the metal. However, very few plant species are capable of remediating Cd polluted soils in a reasonable time frame. This paper aims to show that the population of the hyperaccumulator Thlaspi caerulescens J. & C. Presl. from Viviez (south of France), which has a high Cd-accumulating capability, is an efficient tool to remove Cd from contaminated soils. Roots of T. caerulescensViviez proliferate in hot spots of metals in soils which is particularly advantageous because of heterogeneity of the distribution of metal in polluted soils. Isotopic techniques showed that plants from this population acquire Cd from the same pools as non-accumulating species, but that it was much more efficient than non-hyperaccumulators at removing the metal from the soil labile pool. This is due: to (i) a specific rooting strategy, and (ii) a high uptake rate resulting from the existence in this population of Cd-specific transport channels or carriers in the root membrane. Growth and overall extraction can be improved with appropriate N fertilisation, supplied either as mineral fertilisers or uncontaminated sewage sludge. Selecting bigger plants is possible from within a suitable Cd-accumulating population to improve the phytoextraction process. Growing the Cd-accumulating populations results in a reduction in the availability of Cd and Zn as shown with field and lysimeter experiments conducted for several years. As a result, on a practical aspect, Cd hyperaccumulating populations of T. caerulescens may be used as a tool to efficiently reduce the availability of Cd in soils, providing appropriate populations are used.     

Assessment of Cu,Pb and Zn content in selected species of grasses and in the soil of the roadside embankment

It was assumed in the study that heavy metals occurring in soils and the air accumulate in grasses constituting the main species used in the turfing of soil in road verges and embankments along traffic routes and in other parts of urbanized areas. The aim of the present study was to assess the bioaccumulation of Cu, Pb, and Zn in three selected lawn cultivars of five grass species and in the soil of the roadside green belt in terms of soil properties and heavy metal uptake by plants in the aspect of determining their usefulness in protecting the soils from contamination caused by motor vehicle traffic. Samples of the plant material and soil were collected for chemical analysis in the autumn of 2018 (October) on the embankment along National Road No. 17 between Piaski and ?opiennik (Poland), where 15 lawn cultivars of five grass species had been sown 2 years earlier. During the study, Cu, Pb, and Zn levels were determined in the aboveground biomass of the grasses under study and in the soil beneath these grasses (the 0–20 cm layer). All the grass species under study can thus be regarded as accumulators of Cu and Zn because the levels of these elements in the aboveground biomass of the grasses were higher than in the soil beneath these grasses. The present study demonstrates that the grasses can accumulate a large amount of Cu and Zn from soils and transfer it to the aboveground biomass. Tested species of grasses are not a higher bioaccumulators for Pb. The best grass species for the sowing of roadsides embankment, with the highest BCF values for the studied metals, is Lolium perenne (Taya variety).     

Natural variation in cadmium tolerance and its relationship to metal hyperaccumulation for seven populations of Thlaspi caerulescens from western Europe

Thlaspi caerulescens J. & C. Presl is a distinctive metallophyte of central and western Europe that almost invariably hyperaccumulates Zn to> 1.0% of shoot dry biomass in its natural habitats, and can hyperaccumulate Ni to> 0.1% when growing on serpentine soils. Populations from the Ganges region of southern France also have a remarkable ability to accumulate Cd in their shoots to concentrations well in excess of 0.01% without apparent toxicity symptoms. Because hyperaccumulation of Cd appears to be highly variable in this species, the relationship between Cd tolerance and metal accumulation was investigated for seven contrasting populations of T. caerulescens grown under controlled conditions in solution culture. The populations varied considerably in average plant biomass (3.1‐fold), shoot : root ratio (2.2‐fold), Cd hyperaccumulation (3.5‐fold), shoot : root Cd‐concentration ratio (3.1‐fold), and shoot Cd : Zn ratio (2.6‐fold), but the degree of hyperaccumulation of Cd and Zn were strongly correlated. Two populations from the Ganges region were distinct in exhibiting high degrees of both Cd tolerance and hyperaccumulation (one requiring 3 µM Cd for optimal growth), whereas across the other five populations there was an inverse relationship between Cd tolerance and hyperaccumulation, as has been noted previously for Zn. Metal hyperaccumulation was negatively correlated with shoot : root ratio, which could account quantitatively for the differences between populations in shoot Zn (but not Cd) concentrations. On exposure to 30 µM Cd, the two Ganges populations showed marked reductions in shoot Zn and Fe concentrations, although Cd accumulation was not inhibited by elevated Zn; in the other five populations, 30 µM Cd had little or no effect on Zn or Fe accumulation but markedly reduced shoot Ca concentration. These results support a proposal that Cd is taken up predominantly via a high‐affinity uptake system for Fe in the Ganges populations, but via a lower‐affinity pathway for Ca in other populations. Total shoot Cd accumulated per plant was much more closely related to population Cd tolerance than Cd hyperaccumulation, indicating that metal tolerance may be the more important selection criterion in developing lines with greatest phytoremediation potential.     

The effect of soil type and degree of metal contamination upon uptake of Cd,Pb and Cu in bush beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Summary Five soils of increasing specific surface area (SSA) were loaded to five levels of contamination with Cd, Pb and Cu, and bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were grown on the soils for 30 days. A linear correlation was found between the concentration of Cd in the soil solutions and the amount absorbed by the plant per gram root material for four out of the five soils, and, in the case of Cu, for all five soils. Quantitatively, there was insufficient Cd or Cu in the soil solution to account for plant uptake of these metals. The amount of Cd absorbed by plants could also be related to the adsorption density (concentration/SSA soil) of the metal in four of the five soils, whereas the Cu content of plants could be related to the adsorption density of all five soils. It is thought that the metals were removed from the soil solution by root absorption and replenished by metal cations adsorbed onto surface sites in the soil. Consideration of the adsorption density of these metals in the soil may be a useful means to determine the permissible limits for heavy metal application for a wide range of soils. Lead uptake was significantly correlated to total Pb in soils, but not to the adsorption density or soil solution concentrations. The possible interpretation of the results are discussed.     

Cadmium and zinc bioaccumulation by Phytolacca americana from hydroponic media and contaminated soils

Abstract

Hydroponic, greenhouse and field experiments were conducted to explore the potential of pokeweed (Phytolacca americana L.) to accumulate Zn and Cd from nutrient solutions and contaminated soils. The hydroponic results confirmed that this native species is a strong Zn and Cd bioaccumulator that does not experience severe phytotoxicity until quite high root and shoot concentrations, approaching 4000 and 1600?mg?kg^?1 of Zn, and 1500 and 500?mg?kg^?1 of Cd, respectively. These high Zn and Cd concentrations were accompanied by increased sulfur and lower manganese in both shoots and roots. However, in field and greenhouse trials with soils historically contaminated by a number of heavy metals including Zn and Cd, concentrations of Zn and Cd in shoots of P. americana reached concentrations less than 30% and 10%, respectively, of those achieved with hydroponics. The main constraint to phytoremediation of soils by P. americana was the low concentrations of Zn and Cd in soil solution. Pretreatment of the metal-contaminated soil by oxalic acid increased soluble Cd and Zn but failed to increase plant uptake of either metal, a possible result of higher solubility of competing metal ions (Cu, Mn) or low bioavailability of Cd and Zn-oxalate complexes.     

Arbuscular mycorrhizal contribution to heavy metal uptake by maize (Zea mays L.) in pot culture with contaminated soil

In two pot-culture experiments with maize in a silty loam (P2 soil) contaminated by atmospheric deposition from a metal smelter, root colonization with indigenous or introduced arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and their influence on plant metal uptake (Cd, Zn, Cu, Pb, Mn) were investigated. Soil was -irradiated for the nonmycorrhizal control. In experiment 1, nonirradiated soil provided the mycorrhizal treatment, whereas in experiment 2 the irradiated soil was inoculated with spores of a fungal culture from P2 soil or a laboratory reference culture, Glomus mosseae. Light intensity was considerably higher in experiment 2 and resulted in a fourfold higher shoot and tenfold higher root biomass. Under the conditions of experiment 1, biomass was significantly higher and Cd, Cu, Zn and Mn concentrations significantly lower in the mycorrhizal plants than in the nonmycorrhizal plants, suggesting a protection against metal toxicity. In contrast, in experiment 2, biomass did not differ between treatments and only Cu root concentration was decreased with G. mosseae-inoculated plants, whereas Cu shoot concentration was significantly increased with the indigenous P2 fungal culture. The latter achieved a significantly higher root colonization than G. mosseae (31.7 and 19.1%, respectively) suggesting its higher metal tolerance. Zn shoot concentration was higher in both mycorrhizal treatments and Pb concentrations, particularly in the roots, also tended to increase with mycorrhizal colonization. Cd concentrations were not altered between treatments. Cu and Zn, but not Pb and Cd root-shoot translocation increased with mycorrhizal colonization. The results show that the influence of AM on plant metal uptake depends on plant growth conditions, on the fungal partner and on the metal, and cannot be generalized. It is suggested that metal-tolerant mycorrhizal inoculants might be considered for soil reclamation, since under adverse conditions AM may be more important for plant metal resistance. Under the optimized conditions of normal agricultural practice, however, AM colonization even may increase plant metal absorption from polluted soils.     

Growth and mineral element composition in two ecotypes of Thlaspi caerulescens on Cd contaminated soil

The heavy metal hyperaccumulator Thlaspi caerulescens occurs both on heavy metal polluted soils (metallicolous ecotype MET) and on soils with normal heavy metal content (non-metallicolous ecotype: NMET). In order to assess the extent and structure of variation in growth, shoot accumulation of Cd, Zn and mineral element (Ca, Mg, K, Fe), a MET ecotype from Belgium and a NMET ecotype from Luxembourg were studied. Seven maternal families from two populations of each ecotype were grown on both Cd and Zn contaminated soil. Although both ecotypes presented a similar heavy metal tolerance in the experimental conditions tested, they differed in several points. The MET populations had markedly higher biomass and higher root:shoot ratio compared to NMET populations. The Zn, and at lesser extent, the Cd hyperaccumulation capacity tended to be higher in the NMET populations. The same trend was observed for the foliar concentrations of Mg, Ca and Fe with NMET populations having higher concentrations compared to MET ones. Cd and Zn concentrations were negatively correlated with the biomass of both ecotype. However, the negative correlation between the Zn and biomass was much lower in MET ecotype suggesting a tighter control of internal Zn concentration in this ecotype. Finally, although the Cd phytoextraction capacity was similar in both ecotype, a higher Zn phytoextraction capacity was detected in NMET ecotype when these plants grow on moderate Cd and Zn concentrations.     

Plant Cd2+ and Zn2+ status effects on root and shoot heavy metal accumulation in Thlaspi caerulescens

* In this study we address the impact of changes in plant heavy metal, (i.e. zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd)) status on metal accumulation in the Zn/Cd hyperaccumulator, Thlaspi caerulescens. * Thlaspi caerulescens plants were grown hydroponically on both high and low Zn and Cd regimes and whole-shoot and -root metal accumulation, and root (109)Cd(2+) influx were determined. * High-Zn-grown (500 microm Zn) plants were found to be more Cd-tolerant than plants grown in standard Zn conditions (1 microm Zn). Furthermore, shoot Cd accumulation was significantly greater in the high-Zn-grown plants. A positive correlation was also found between shoot Zn accumulation and increased plant Cd status. Radiotracer (109)Cd root flux experiments demonstrated that high-Zn-grown plants maintained significantly higher root Cd(2+) influx than plants grown on 1 microm Zn. It was also found that both nickel (Ni) and copper (Cu) shoot accumulation were stimulated by high plant Zn status, while manganese (Mn) accumulation was not affected. * A speculative model is presented to explain these findings, suggesting that xylem loading may be one of the key sites responsible for the hyperaccumulation of Zn and Cd accumulation in Thlaspi caerulescens.     

Root development and heavy metal phytoextraction efficiency: comparison of different plant species in the field

Heavy metal phytoextraction is a soil remediation technique which implies the optimal use of plants to remove contamination from soil. Plants must thus be tolerant to heavy metals, adapted to soil and climate characteristics and able to take up large amounts of heavy metals. Their roots must also fit the spatial distribution of pollution. Their different root systems allow plants to adapt to their environment and be more or less efficient in element uptake. To assess the impact of the root system on phytoextraction efficiency in the field, we have studied the uptake and root systems (root length and root size) of various high biomass plants (Brassica juncea, Nicotiana tabacum, Zea mays and Salix viminalis) and one hyperaccumulator (Thlaspi caerulescens) grown in a Zn, Cu and Cd contaminated soil and compared them with total heavy metal distribution in the soil. Changes from year to year have been studied for an annual (Zea mays) and a perennial plant (Salix viminalis) to assess the impact of the climate on root systems and the evolution of efficiency with time and growth. In spite of a small biomass, T. caerulescens was the most efficient plant for Cd and Zn removal because of very high concentrations in the shoots. The second most efficient were plants combining high metal concentrations and high biomass (willows for Cd and Zn and tobacco for Cu and Cd). A large cumulative root density/aboveground biomass ratio (L_A/B), together with a relative larger proportion of fine roots compared to other plants seemed to be additional favourable characteristics for increased heavy metal uptake by T. caerulescens. In general, for all plants correlations were found between L _A/B and heavy metal concentrations in shoots (r=0.758^***, r=0.594^***, r=0.798^*** (P<0.001) for Cd, Cu and Zn concentrations resp.). Differences between years were significant because of variations in climatic conditions for annual plants or because of growth for perennial plants. The plants exhibited also different root distributions along the soil profile: T. caerulescens had a shallow root system and was thus best suited for shallow contamination (0.2 m) whereas maize and willows were the most efficient in colonising the soil at depth and thus more applicable for deep contamination (0.7 m). In the field situation, no plant was able to fit the contamination properly due to heterogeneity in soil contamination. This points out to the importance and the difficulty of choosing plant species according to depth and heterogeneity of localisation of the pollution.     

Spatial Distribution of Heavy Metals in Soil and Flora Associated with the Glass Industry in North Central India: Implications for Phytoremediation

The effect of the glass industry on soil metal characterization was assessed at five test sites at five successive distances in a semi-arid area. A comprehensive profile of Zn, Cd, Pb, Ni, Cu, and As levels in soils was obtained. The spatial distribution patterns of integrated contamination indices for these metals show a similar decreasing trend in distribution as we move further from the industrial cluster. There was significant correlation among individual heavy metal concentrations in the soil samples. Integrated contamination indices indicate that 64% of the sites were in the high contamination range and 28% were in the moderate contamination range. A statistically significant difference (P ≤ 0.001) was obtained for each metal on comparing mean metal content among soil samples. Phytoremedial potential of 12 native plant species was also evaluated. Individual elements displayed remarkably different patterns of accumulation in soils as well as plants. Plants established limited capabilities in mobilizing Zn, Pb, Ni, and Cu in the root zone. While Cd, Cu, As, Zn and Pb were predominantly partitioned in shoots, Ni was equally partitioned between shoots and roots. Interestingly, some plants showed a different partitioning trend at higher concentrations of different metals compared to lower concentrations. Potential species for phytoremediation include Calotropis procera (Milk weed), Chenopodium murale (Goosefoot),Poa annua (Annual bluegrass) and Datura stramonium (Thorn apple). None of the species showed phytoremedial potential for Ni and Cu.     

四川甘洛铅锌矿区优势植物的重金属含量

通过野外调查采样,分析了四川凉山州甘洛县铅锌矿区土壤的重金属含量,以及矿区生长的13种优势植物对Pb、Zn、Cd、Cr、Cu的吸收与富集能力及其富集特性.结果表明,矿区土壤受Pb、Zn、Cd 3种重金属污染严重,13种植物体内的Pb含量均高于普通植物10倍以上,具有修复矿区土壤铅污染的潜力,其中植物1的转运系数和富集系数都大于1,满足Pb超富集植物的基本特征.Zn在凤尾蕨、细风轮菜、大火草、蔗茅、小飞蓬和牛茄子中含量较高.小飞蓬和紫茎泽兰的Cd含量较一般植物高出17～61倍,其中,紫茎泽兰的转运系数与富集系数均大于1,其对Cd的吸收特性值得进一步研究.     

The potential of Thlaspi caerulescens for phytoremediation of contaminated soils

Uptake of Cd, Zn, Pb and Mn by the hyperaccumulator Thlaspi caerulescens was studied by pot trials in plant growth units and in populations of wild plants growing over Pb/Zn base-metal mine wastes at Les Malines in the south of France. The pot trials utilised metal-contaminated soils from Auby in the Lille area. Zinc and Cd concentrations in wild plants averaged 1.16% and 0.16% (dry weight) respectively. The unfertilised biomass of the plants was 2.6 t/ha. A single fertilised crop with the above metal content could remove 60 kg of Zn and 8.4 kg Cd per hectare. Experiments with pot-grown and wild plants showed that metal concentrations (dry weight basis) were up to 1% Zn (4% Zn in the soil) and just over 0.1% Cd (0.02% Cd in the soil). The metal content of the plants was correlated strongly with the plant-available fraction in the soils as measured by extraction with ammonium acetate and was inversely correlated with pH. Bioaccumulation coefficients (plant/soil metal concentration quotients) were in general higher for Cd than for Zn except at low metal concentrations in the soil. There was a tendency for these coefficients to increase with decreasing metal concentrations in the soil. It is proposed that phytoremediation using Thlaspi caerulescens would be entirely feasible for low levels of Cd where only a single crop would be needed to halve a Cd content of 10 g/g in the soil. It will never be possible to remediate elevated Zn concentrations within an economic time frame (<10 yr) because of the lower bioaccumulation coefficient for this element coupled with the much higher Zn content of the soils.     

Differential effects of AM fungal isolates on Medicago truncatula growth and metal uptake in a multimetallic (Cd, Zn, Pb) contaminated agricultural soil

Toxic metal accumulation in soils of agricultural interest is a serious problem needing more attention, and investigations on soil–plant metal transfer must be pursued to better understand the processes involved in metal uptake. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are known to influence metal transfer in plants by increasing plant biomass and reducing metal toxicity to plants even if diverging results were reported. The effects of five AM fungi isolated from metal contaminated or non-contaminated soils on metal (Cd, Zn) uptake by plant and transfer to leachates was assessed with Medicago truncatula grown in a multimetallic contaminated agricultural soil. Fungi isolated from metal-contaminated soils were more effective to reduce shoot Cd concentration. Metal uptake capacity differed between AM fungi and depended on the origin of the isolate. Not only fungal tolerance and ability to reduce metal concentrations in plant but also interactions with rhizobacteria affected heavy metal transfer and plant growth. Indeed, thanks to association with nodulating rhizobacteria, one Glomus intraradices inoculum increased particularly plant biomass which allowed exporting twofold more Cd and Zn in shoots as compared to non-mycorrhizal treatment. Cd concentrations in leachates were variable among fungal treatments, but can be significantly influenced by AM inoculation. The differential strategies of AM fungal colonisation in metal stress conditions are also discussed.     

Complexation and detoxification of Zn and Cd in metal accumulating plants

Metal accumulating plants exposed to toxic levels of zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd) uptake metals through extracellular and intracellular complexation with inorganic and organic ligand formation. However, little is known about the nature and formation mechanism of these metal–ligand complexes. Though, Zn and Cd have many similar chemical properties, yet their complexation and compartmentalization in plants vary with plant species. In principal, the question arises what factors govern Zn and Cd partitioning in plants? What form of the metal is taken up by the root, and is further distributed and accumulated in both vegetative and reproductive tissues? Therefore, the aim of present study is to address several questions concerning the mechanisms of Zn and Cd coordination and compartmentalization in plants using X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) technique. XAS allows direct determination of elemental oxidation states and coordination environments in different plant tissues. This review article briefly explains some other important techniques of XAS; EXAFS (extended X-ray absorption fine structure) and XANES (X-ray absorption near edge structure), which are employed for determining Zn and Cd complexation within the plant. Therefore, In present review, the predominant as well as the minor chemical forms of Zn and Cd present in particular plant tissue have been discussed which could give better insight towards metal accumulation and detoxification mechanisms operated in plants. This information could assist in employing suitable hyperaccumulator plants for metal phytoextraction and reclamation of metal contaminated sites.     

Evaluation of elemental allelopathy in Acroptilon repens (L.) DC. (Russian Knapweed)

Although Acroptilon repens (L.) DC. (Russian knapweed) is known to concentrate zinc (Zn) in upper soil layers, the question of whether the elevated Zn has an allelopathic effect on restoration species has not been addressed. Experiments were conducted to investigate whether soils collected from within infestations of A. repens (high-Zn) inhibit the germination or growth and development of desirable restoration species, compared to soils collected adjacent to an A. repens infestation (low-Zn). Four bioassay species [Sporobolus airoides (Torrey) Torrey (alkali sacaton), Pseudoroegneria spicata (Pursh) A. Love (bluebunch wheatgrass), Psathyrostachys juncea (Fischer) Nevski (Russian wildrye) and A. repens] were germinated in a growth chamber and grown in a greenhouse in both soils and received treatments for the alleviation of Zn toxicity (P, Fe, Fe-oxide, and soil mixing) to isolate the effects of elevated soil Zn on plant performance. Percent germination, total plant biomass, tiller and stem number, inflorescence number, and tissue metal levels were compared among soil types and treatments for each species. There was no evidence from any of the indicators measured that high-Zn soils reduced plant performance, compared to low-Zn soils. Tissue Zn levels barely approached the lower range of phytotoxic levels established for native grasses. Older plants with longer exposure times may accumulate higher Zn concentrations. S. airoides and A. repens both had higher biomass in the high-Zn soil, most likely due to increased macronutrient (N and P) availability. As the Zn levels in the soils used in this study were much higher than any levels previously reported in soils associated with A. repens, it is unlikely that the elevation of soil Zn by A. repens will hinder germination or growth and development of desirable grasses during establishment.     

Effects of inoculation of a plant growth promoting rhizobacterium <Emphasis Type="Italic">Burkholderia</Emphasis> sp. D54 on plant growth and metal uptake by a hyperaccumulator <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sedum alfredii</Emphasis> Hance grown on multiple metal contaminated soil

Batch experiments were designed to characterize a multiple metal resistant bacterium Burkholderia sp. D54 isolated from metal contaminated soils in the Dabaoshan Mine in South China, and a follow-up experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of inoculating the isolate on plant growth and metal uptake by Sedum alfredii Hance grown on soils collected from a heavily contaminated paddy field in Daxing County, Guangxi Zhuang Automounous Region, Southwest China. Our experiments showed that strain D54 produced indole acetic acid (IAA), siderophores, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase, and solubilizing inorganic phosphate and solubilized insoluble metal bearing minerals. Bacterial inoculation significantly enhanced S. alfredii biomass production, and increased both shoot and root Cd concentration, but induced little variation in root/shoot Pb concentration and shoot Zn concentration. Despite this, the total shoot and root uptake of Cd, Pb and Zn in S. alfredii inoculated with D54 increased greatly compared to the non-inoculated controls. It was concluded that inoculation with strain D54 could help S. alfredii grow better on metal contaminated soils, produce more biomass, and remove more metals from soil, which implies improved efficiency of phytoextraction from metal contaminated soil. The knowledge gained from the present experiments constitutes an important advancement in understanding of the interaction between plant growth-promoting bacteria and hyperaccumulators with regard to plant ability to grow and remove the multiple heavy metals from soils.