Biological Responses in the Earthworm Eisenia fetida Exposed to Soils near a Typical Lead Acid Battery Plant

There are increasing concerns over the environmental implications involved in battery plant due to the elevated metal concentrations in the surrounding soils. Earthworms are regarded as a model organism for evaluation of terrestrial environmental pollution. The biochemical responses in the earthworms, Eisenia fetida, exposed to polluted soils were investigated. Soil samples at 0, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 m from a battery plant were collected and used to assess the relationship between sampling distance and biochemical responses in E. fetida. Biochemical alterations were carried out on 1, 3, 7 and 14 d of exposure. The metallothionein (MT), malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD)) were measured. The results demonstrated that concentrations of heavy metals, especially Pb, decreased sharply with increase in distance, which may be due to the leaching and accumulation of Pb in soil during production processes. The concentrations of MT and MDA increased with exposure (dosage and time), indicating that E. fetida presented dose and time dependence after heavy metal exposure. The activities of SOD and CAT increased after heavy metal induction, while the activity of POD was lower than that of the control group. The SOD, CAT and POD present a cooperative effect for the protection of lipids and enzymes due to the pollution. The soils around the battery plant were polluted with metals giving rise to adverse biological effects.     

Effects of Cadmium,Chromium and Lead on Growth,Metal Uptake and Antioxidative Capacity in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Typha angustifolia</Emphasis>

This study investigates the modulation of antioxidant defence system of Typha angustifolia after 30 days exposure of 1 mM chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), or lead (Pb). T. angustifolia showed high tolerance to heavy metal toxicity with no visual toxic symptom when exposed to metal stress, and Cd/Pb addition also increased plant height and biomass especially in Pb treatment. Along with increased Cr, Cd, and Pb uptake in metal treatments, there was enhanced uptake of plant nutrients including Ca and Fe, and Zn in Pb treatment. A significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activities were recorded in plants subjected to Cr, Cd, or Pb stress. Furthermore, Pb stress also improved catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities; whereas Cr stress depressed APX and GPX. The results indicate that enzymatic antioxidants and Ca/Fe uptake were important for heavy metal detoxification in T. angustifolia, stimulated antioxidative enzymes, and Ca, Fe, and Zn uptake could partially explain its hyper-Pb tolerance.     

铅、锌及其交互作用对鱼腥草(Houttuynia cordata)叶绿素含量及抗氧化酶系统的影响

采用营养液培养方法研究铅、锌及其交互作用对鱼腥草叶绿素含量及抗氧化酶系统的影响。实验结果显示，随着Pb浓度的增加，鱼腥草叶绿素含量逐渐降低但无显著变化。Zn在一定浓度下能提高鱼腥草叶绿素含量，而在高浓度Zn胁迫下，叶绿素含量急剧下降。鱼腥草叶片中SOD、POD和CAT3种酶活性都是随着Pb浓度的增加先上升后下降。随着Zn浓度的增加，SOD和CAT也是先上升后下降，POD则是逐渐上升。Pb—Zn交互作用增加了鱼腥草叶绿素含量，对SOD和POD活性具有抑制作用，对CAT活性影响不明显。同时研究结果还表明，单一Pb、Zn对鱼腥草叶绿素含量和抗氧化酶系统的影响大于Pb、Zn二者的共同作用，其中高浓度Zn对鱼腥草的伤害作用最大，而当溶液Pb处理浓度达到400mg／L时，鱼腥草仍能正常生长，说明鱼腥草具有较强的耐Pb能力。     

铅、锌及其交互作用对鱼腥草(Houttuynia cordata)叶绿素含量及抗氧化酶系统的影响

采用营养液培养方法研究铅、锌及其交互作用对鱼腥草叶绿素含量及抗氧化酶系统的影响。实验结果显示,随着Pb浓度的增加,鱼腥草叶绿素含量逐渐降低但无显著变化。Zn在一定浓度下能提高鱼腥草叶绿素含量,而在高浓度Zn胁迫下,叶绿素含量急剧下降。鱼腥草叶片中SOD、POD和CAT 3种酶活性都是随着Pb浓度的增加先上升后下降。随着Zn浓度的增加,SOD和CAT也是先上升后下降, POD则是逐渐上升。Pb-Zn交互作用增加了鱼腥草叶绿素含量,对SOD和POD活性具有抑制作用,对CAT活性影响不明显。同时研究结果还表明,单一Pb、Zn对鱼腥草叶绿素含量和抗氧化酶系统的影响大于Pb、Zn二者的共同作用,其中高浓度Zn对鱼腥草的伤害作用最大,而当溶液Pb处理浓度达到400mg/L时,鱼腥草仍能正常生长,说明鱼腥草具有较强的耐Pb能力。     

青菜幼苗体内几种保护酶的活性对Pb、Cd、Cr胁迫的反应研究

1 引言自从McCord在1969年第一次从牛红血细胞中发现超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)并且证明其功能是清除超氧化物以后,研究者们在植物细胞中也发现了这种酶,并且证明具有同样的功能.后来又发现植物细胞通过多种途径产生活性氧自由基,同时细胞也存在清除这些自由基的多种途径[5],两者形成平衡体系.但是,许多逆境因子如寒冷、干旱、干燥、水淹、重金属Al等都能影响植物体内活性氧代谢系统的平衡,产生大量的氧自由基,它们能够启动膜脂过氧化或膜脂脱脂作     

矿区废弃地先锋植物齿果酸模在Pb、Zn污染下抗氧化酶系统的变化

作为云南矿区废弃地常见的先锋植物,齿果酸模(Rumex dentatus)已形成对重金属污染的耐性生态型,是理想的逆境生态学研究实验材料.为进一步揭示不同抗氧化酶在先锋植物幼苗早期抗逆境的耐性机理中的作用,采集了来自云南兰坪铅锌矿废弃地的齿果酸模,观察其幼苗多种抗氧化酶在实验室模拟的重金属Pb与Zn单一污染条件下(浓度分别为0,1,5,10,50,100,200 mg/kg)的变化特征.结果表明:随着Pb与Zn单一污染浓度的增加,(1)MDA含量持续上升,与对照相比,在200 mg/kg Pb或Zn单一污染下,MDA分别显著上升了427%和330%;而(2)SOD,POD与CAT三者活性变化特征则各有不同.其中SOD活性呈现先升后降的趋势,POD活性则持续上升;而CAT活性很低,在Zn污染下未检测出,Pb污染下其变化无显著规律.相关性分析结果表明,Pb与Zn单一污染导致先锋植物齿果酸模幼苗产生膜脂过氧化,而抗氧化酶系统在抵御这种不良影响的耐性机制中发挥了一定的作用,且不同酶发挥的效用不同,其中POD发挥了主要作用.     

锌、镉及其复合胁迫下白花泡桐幼苗的生理及富集特征

采用水培培养的试验方法,研究白花泡桐幼苗在锌 (Zn)、镉 (Cd) 单一及复合胁迫下的生理生化响应及对重金属的富集、转移特征变化。结果表明,单一及复合重金属胁迫下,白花泡桐的生物量、株高及过氧化物酶 (Peroxidase,POD) 活性均随处理浓度的增加而降低。在复合污染下,Zn、Cd在植株的株高及生物量上表现出拮抗作用。与对照比,单一胁迫下,随着Zn浓度的增加,白花泡桐叶绿素含量和过氧化氢酶 (Catalase,CAT) 活性先增加后减小,超氧化物歧化酶 (Superoxide dismutase,SOD) 活性升高,地上部丙二醛 (Malondialdehyde,MDA) 含量先减小后增加;随着Cd浓度的增加,叶绿素含量和过氧化氢酶 (CAT) 活性升高,超氧化物歧化酶 (SOD) 活性及地上部丙二醛 (MDA) 含量先增加后减小,复合胁迫下,则表现出更加复杂的生理响应。白花泡桐幼苗对Cd的富集部位集中在根部;对Zn的富集部位集中在地上部,且转移系数大于1.00;Zn的加入会促进重金属向地上部分的转移;白花泡桐具有对复合重金属污染地进行有效的生态恢复的潜力。     

Relation between blood levels of heavy metals and some markers of oxidative stress among boys with neuropathic bladder and posterior urethral valve

BackgroundThe status of heavy metals in children with lower urinary tract pathology that may harm the upper tract, e.g., neuropathic bladder and posterior urethral valve and its relationship with oxidative stress has not been adequately investigated. Therefore, the object of the current work was to evaluate the concentrations of copper, zinc, cadmium and lead and their relations with levels of catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) in boys with neuropathic bladder and posterior urethral valve.MethodsThirty-six children with neuropathic bladder, 35 children with posterior urethral valve and 33 health controls were included in the study. In addition to routine laboratory tests, blood samples were collected from patients and controls to assess levels of Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb in addition to plasma concentrations of CAT, MDA and GSH.ResultsSignificantly elevated levels of Cu, Pb, CAT, MDA and GSH and significantly lower concentration of blood Zn were found in the studied groups compared to the controls. In the posterior urethral valve group, blood level of Cu was positively correlated with GSH while a significantly negative relation was observed between blood Zn and CAT activity among the neuropathic bladder patients.ConclusionNeuropathic bladder and posterior urethral valve may lead to abnormalities in the blood levels of heavy metals (i.e. Cu, Pb and Zn) and markers of oxidative stress (CAT, MDA and GSH). Therefore, the levels of theses metal ions should be monitored during the treatment course of neuropathic bladder and posterior urethral valve patients to prevent or minimize long-term oxidative injury.     

镉、铜和锌胁迫下黑藻活性氧的产生及抗氧化酶活性的变化研究

研究了不同Cd、Cu、Zn处理浓度对黑藻体内活性氧()产生及对抗氧化酶(SOD、POD、CAT)活性的分子毒理学效应以探讨高等水生植物抗氧化酶对重金属胁迫的反应。结果表明,三种重金属都不同程度地加快了产生速率;Cu使SOD、POD、CAT活性下降;Cd也都减弱了SOD和POD活性,而CAT活性在0.5—5mg/L处理浓度时增加;Zn对SOD活性也为抑制作用,当浓度为0.5—5mg/L时POD和CAT活性都上升。关联度分析发现Cd、Cu和Zn胁迫下黑藻起主要保护作用的分别为SOD、POD和CAT,而SOD最易受到影响。Cd、Cu处理下的叶绿素含量也都呈下降趋势,而0.5—5mg/L的Zn浓度刺激了叶绿素合成。所有Zn处理、0.5mg/L的Cu处理和0.5—1mg/L的Cd处理的叶绿素a/b值都大于对照值。除了Cu使可溶性蛋白含量减少外,0.5—5mg/L的Zn和0.5—1mg/L的Cd都使其含量增加。综合起来,Cu的毒性最强,其次为Cd,Zn最弱。致死阈浓度分别为:Cu:0.5—1mg/L;Cd:1—2mg/L;Zn:5—6mg/L。SOD是评价重金属对沉水植物毒性效应的灵敏指标。黑藻对水环境Cu污染反应敏感。       

锌胁迫对彩色豆马勃体内锌的分布和活性形态及其抗氧化系统的影响

彩色豆马勃Pisolithus tinctorius可广泛与林木建立外生菌根,其共生可促进植物生长,提高植物对重金属的耐受性。然而,关于彩色豆马勃对重金属锌(Zn)胁迫的生理响应还不完全清楚。本研究在纯培养条件下,测定了Zn胁迫对彩色豆马勃生物量、Zn的活性形态和亚细胞分布,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)和过氧化物酶(POD)活性,谷胱甘肽(GSH)、抗坏血酸(AsA)和黑色素含量的影响。结果表明,Zn胁迫抑制了彩色豆马勃的生长,在浓度为563 μmol/L时,达到半数最大抑制浓度(IC₅₀),在浓度为600 μmol/L时,生物量降低42.6%。Zn在彩色豆马勃中以活性较低的草酸盐、难溶于水的磷酸盐、果胶酸盐以及与蛋白质呈结合态或吸着态的形式为主。Zn胁迫显著提高了彩色豆马勃菌丝中CAT、POD和SOD活性,增加了GSH和黑色素含量,但对AsA的含量没有显著影响。本研究表明,彩色豆马勃主要通过调节Zn的分布及抗氧化系统,增加黑色素含量,增强对Zn的耐受性,为外生菌根真菌修复重金属污染土壤提供了理论支持。     

The effects of copper, manganese and zinc on plant growth and elemental accumulation in the manganese-hyperaccumulator Phytolacca americana

Synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence (SRXRF) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry were used to estimate major, minor and trace elements in Cu-, Zn- and Mn-treated Phytolacca americana. The effects of the addition of Cu, Zn and Mn on morphological parameters, such as root length, shoot height, and fresh and dry weights of shoots and roots, were also examined. In addition, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), guaiacol peroxidases (GPX) and catalase (CAT) and the expression of Fe-SOD, Cu/Zn-SOD, metallothionein-2 and glutathione S-transferase (GST) exposed to the highest amounts of Cu, Zn or Mn were detected. Our results confirmed the following: (1) Zn supplementation leads to chlorosis, disturbed elemental homeostasis and decreased concentrations of micro- and macroelements such as Fe, Mg, Mn, Ca and K. Cu competed with Fe, Mn and Zn uptake in plants supplemented with 25μM Cu. However, no antagonistic interactions took place between Cu, Zn, Mn and Fe uptake in plants supplemented with 100μM Cu. Mn supplementation at various concentrations had no negative effects on elemental deficits. Mn was co-located with high concentrations of Fe and Zn in mature leaves and the concentrations of macro elements were unchanged. (2) P. americana supplemented with increased concentrations of Zn and Cu exhibited lower biomass production and reduced plant growth. (3) When plants were supplemented with the highest Zn and Cu concentrations, symptoms of toxicity corresponded to decreased SOD or CAT activities and increased APX and GPX activities. However, Mn tolerance corresponded to increased SOD and CAT activities and decreased POD and APX activities. Our study revealed that heavy metals partially exert toxicity by disturbing the nutrient balance and modifying enzyme activities that induce damage in plants. However, P. americana has evolved hyper accumulating mechanisms to maintain elemental balance and redox homeostasis under excess Mn.     

Biochemical and RAPD Analysis of Hibiscus rosa sinensis Induced by Heavy Metals

The present study was designed to assess the effects of three different metals (cadmium, lead, and zinc) at the same concentrations on Hibiscus rosa sinensis during metal uptake. The effects of different metals at the same concentrations were assessed on biomass, root-shoot length, and biochemical parameters like chlorophyll and antioxidant enzymes like SOD and CAT to establish the tolerance potential and toxic effects on plants in different metals. The accumulation of metals by plants was found to be in the following order: Zn > mixed metals > Cd > Pb, where Zn was accumulated approximately 79.6% in plant tissues. Plants removed from Cd showed more enzyme activities than the other two metals. DNA stability was investigated by a Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique, which demonstrated that the samples in Cd and mixed metal showed similar trends, whereas samples in Zn and Pb showed similar band intensity to the control. Results suggested that Cd and/or heavy metal stress influences antioxidant status and also induces DNA changes during remediation. Therefore, these studies could be a useful biomarker assay for better treatment for metals’ remediation from soil by means of phytoremediation.     

铜锌复合污染对铜富集植物大聚藻抗氧化酶活性的影响

以前期筛选的铜富集植物大聚藻为材料,采用两因素随机区组试验设计,通过盆栽试验研究了不同浓度铜锌复合污染对大聚藻抗氧化酶活性的影响,以揭示铜富集植物大聚藻对重金属的耐性机理,为芦溪河及其它类似污染河流的生态恢复与植被重建提供参考依据。结果表明:(1)铜锌复合污染条件下,大聚藻生物量都表现出低促高抑现象。(2)铜锌复合污染时,大聚藻MDA含量随铜锌浓度升高表现出先升高后降低的变化。(3)铜锌复合污染对大聚藻抗氧化酶系统活性均有不同程度的影响,低浓度铜锌复合污染对SOD(超氧化物歧化酶)、POD(过氧化物酶)和CAT(过氧化氢酶)有促进作用,而随浓度的升高则表现出不同的规律。研究发现,铜锌胁迫下,大聚藻细胞应急防御系统被启动,SOD、POD和CAT发挥作用,体内过量自由基及时被清除,使大聚藻能够保持高的耐性。     

菰和菖蒲对重金属的胁迫反应及其富集能力

通过盆栽实验研究了Cu—Zn—Ph-Cd复合污染条件下,菰和菖蒲的生长状况、生理特性及吸收和富集重金属的能力。结果表明,高浓度污染下菰和菖蒲不能存活;低、中浓度中菖蒲的生长受到抑制,菰各生长指标与对照相比差异不显著,表明菰对低、中浓度重金属的耐性强于菖蒲。随着污染浓度的增加,菰和菖蒲叶片叶绿索含量显著降低;菰叶绿素a／b值略有降低,菖蒲叶绿素a／b值显著降低;菰和菖蒲叶片脯氨酸含量、相对电导率显著升高,超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、过氧化物酶（POD）活性在低浓度时升高,中浓度时降低。菰体内重金属含量为Zn〉Cu〉Pb〉Cd,菖蒲体内的含量为Cu〉Zn〉Pb〉Cd,且二者体内的重金属含量都随着污染浓度的增加而升高。菰和菖蒲对Cd的富集系数较大,地上部分（茎与叶）和地下部分（根与根状茎）均大于1;对Pb的富集系数较小,地上部分和地下部分均小于1。菰和菖蒲地下部分重金属含量均高于地上部分含量,二者根系对4种重金属都有较强的滞留效应,平均滞留率均大于50％。各处理中菰对重金属的吸收量均高于菖蒲。综合分析菰和菖蒲的生长、生理及富集重金属的能力,菰比菖蒲更适用于低、中浓度重金属污染水体的生态修复。     

The metal distribution and the change of physiological and biochemical process in soybean and mung bean plants under heavy metal stress

Soybean [Glycine max (Linn.) Merrill] and mung bean [Vigna radiate (Linn.) Wilczek] plants were challenged with 5 kinds of heavy metals [cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg)] in a hydroponic system. We applied 4 different metal treatments to study the effects of heavy metals on several physiological and biochemical parameters in these species, including root length, heavy metal concentrations and allocation in different organs, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase activities, the content of malondialdehyde (MDA), protein and chlorophyll. The data showed that the growth of the roots of soybean and mung bean was equally sensitive to external Hg concentrations. Soybean was more sensitive to external Cd concentrations, and mung bean was more sensitive to external Cr, Cu and Pb concentrations. Normal concentrations of heavy metal would not cause visible toxic symptoms, and a low level of heavy metal even slightly stimulated the growth of plants. With the rise of heavy metal concentration, heavy metal stress induces an oxidative stress response in soybean and mung bean plants, characterized by an accumulation of MDA and the alternation pattern of antioxidative enzymes. Meanwhile, the growth of plants was suppressed, the content of chlorophyll decreased and leaves showed chlorosis symptoms at high metal concentrations.     

Pb、Ni胁迫对大羽藓抗氧化酶系统的影响

研究了Pb、Ni单一及复合胁迫下大羽藓细胞活性氧自由基的累积与清除、光合系统和膜系统的受损情况及其抗氧化酶系统的变化.结果表明：在较低胁迫浓度(Pb<0.1 mmol·L^-1,Ni<0.01 mmol·L^-1)下,大羽藓叶绿素含量具有应激效应,在较高胁迫浓度(Pb>0.1 mmol·L^-1,Ni>0.01 mmol·L^-1)下则具有抑制效应;随Pb-Ni复合胁迫浓度的增加,苔藓活性氧自由基和丙二醛的累积量逐渐增大;大羽藓超氧化物歧化酶和过氧化氢酶活性降低,过氧化物酶活性增加,过氧化物酶在清除Pb、Ni胁迫产生的活性氧自由基的过程中起着重要作用.大羽藓丙二醛含量和过氧化氢酶活性对Pb、Ni胁迫具有浓度依赖性,可以将其作为监测该类重金属污染的生物标志物.     

铜递进胁迫对芦竹生理指标、富集能力的影响

通过测定叶片中叶绿素含量、过氧化氢酶（CAT）、过氧化物酶（POD）和超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性、丙二醛（MDA）含量、脯氨酸含量及质膜透性,研究了不同浓度铜胁迫对芦竹幼苗植株的生理指标及富集能力的影响。结果表明：随铜处理浓度的增大,叶片中叶绿素含量、POD、SOD和CAT活性均呈先升高后降低的趋势,当铜处理浓度在100mg·kg^-1时,叶绿素含量、CAT活性达到最大值,而POD、SOD活性在200mg·kg^-1处理时达到最大值。MDA含量、脯氨酸含量及质膜透性均随铜浓度增大而升高,当铜处理浓度在800mg·kg^-1时,叶片中的MDA含量、脯氨酸含量及质膜透性达到最大值。检测芦竹中铜含量的分布规律为根（地下部分）〉茎、叶（地上部分）,当铜处理浓度未达800mg·kg^-1时,转运系数小于1,富集系数大于1。结果表明芦竹对铜污染土壤具有一定耐受力。     

Heavy metal accumulation in iron plaque and growth of rice plants upon exposure to single and combined contamination by copper, cadmium and lead

A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the bioaccumulation of heavy metals and growth response of rice plants after exposure to single and combined contamination by Cu, Cd and Pb. The results showed that the biomass production was not significantly affected by either single or combined treatment of Cu, Cd and Pb. Adding Cu (Cd, or Pb) separately all increased concentrations of the respective element in root and shoot (p < 0.001). In the combined contamination, Pb promoted both root and shoot absorption of Cu and Cd (p < 0.001), and Cu affected Cd and Pb absorption in the root, but Pb concentrations in both root and shoot were not affected by Cd application. The formation of iron plaques varied obviously with soil types. Heavy metal accumulation in iron plaques was induced by the three elements (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the three heavy metals exhibited an interactive relationship as measured by the Cu, Cd, Pb and Fe concentrations in root surface iron plaques. The iron plaques partially inhibited transfer of Pb to root and shoot, but no such effect was observed for Cu and Cd. This research indicates that the interaction among different heavy metal elements is very complex. It is very important to have a clear understanding on the associated mechanism and the consequential impact on plant growth.     

镉污染对不同生境拟水狼蛛氧化酶和金属硫蛋白应激的影响

为探讨镉(Cd)对机体抗氧化功能及金属硫蛋白(MT)的影响,在室内分别用不添加Cd2 和添加浓度为20 mgkg-1 Cd2 培养基培养的黑腹果蝇来饲喂4种不同生境下(S1,S2,S3和S4)拟水狼蛛,于饲喂5d、10d和20d后,分别测定其体内MT和丙二醛 (MDA)的含量及超抗氧化酶(GST、SOD和CAT)活性。结果表明：1,不同生境拟水狼蛛用不添加Cd2 培养基培养的黑腹果蝇饲喂后,不添加Cd2 对照组拟水狼蛛镉的积累量和MT含量无显著变化,但均显著低于添加Cd2 污染组。添加Cd2 污染组拟水狼蛛镉的积累量和MT含量都显著高于对照组,且均随着饲喂时间的延长而显著升高,具有明显的时间–效应关系(p<0.05)。2,在饲喂5d和10d后,不添加Cd饲喂的拟水狼蛛MDA含量和抗氧化酶系差异都不显著。添加Cd2 污染组(S1,S2和S3)MDA含量显著高于对照组(S4),MDA含量与饲喂时间呈显著正相关(p<0.05);GST、SOD和CAT等抗氧化酶活性污染组显著低于对照组,与饲喂时间呈显著负相关(p<0.05);饲喂20d后,污染组MDA含量和抗氧化酶（SOD和CAT）活性均与对照组无显著差异,但GST活性差异显著。     

Heavy metal accumulation in iron plaque and growth of rice plants upon exposure to single and combined contamination by copper, cadmium and lead

A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the bioaccumulation of heavy metals and growth response of rice plants after exposure to single and combined contamination by Cu, Cd and Pb. The results showed that the biomass production was not significantly affected by either single or combined treatment of Cu, Cd and Pb. Adding Cu (Cd, or Pb) separately all increased concentrations of the respective element in root and shoot (p < 0.001). In the combined contamination, Pb promoted both root and shoot absorption of Cu and Cd (p < 0.001), and Cu affected Cd and Pb absorption in the root, but Pb concentrations in both root and shoot were not affected by Cd application. The formation of iron plaques varied obviously with soil types. Heavy metal accumulation in iron plaques was induced by the three elements (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the three heavy metals exhibited an interactive relationship as measured by the Cu, Cd, Pb and Fe concentrations in root surface iron plaques. The iron plaques partially inhibited transfer of Pb to root and shoot, but no such effect was observed for Cu and Cd. This research indicates that the interaction among different heavy metal elements is very complex. It is very important to have a clear understanding on the associated mechanism and the consequential impact on plant growth.