铅镉抗性菌株JB11强化植物对污染土壤中铅镉的吸收

研究了铅、镉抗性菌株(JB11)和生物降解螯合剂乙二胺二琥珀酸(S,S)-EDDS)提高高羊茅和红三叶草吸收土壤中铅、镉的能力。从土壤样品中筛选出1株对Cd、Pb具有较强抗性的菌株JB11,经鉴定为成团泛菌属(Pantoea agglomerans)。JB11对Pb2+、Cd2+、Cr6+、Cu2+、Zn2+、Ni2+等多种重金属和卡那霉素、氨苄青霉素、链霉素、四环素等抗生素具有抗性,在温度15—35℃和pH为5.0—9.0范围内生长良好,最适生长温度为30℃,最适pH值为7.0左右,在低于3%的NaCl浓度下生长良好。盆栽试验研究了菌株JB11、EDDS及1/2EDDS+JB11 3种处理下对生长在Cd 100 mg/kg、Cd 200 mg/kg、Pb 500 mg/kg和Pb 1000mg/kg的土壤中的高羊茅和红三叶生长及从土壤富集Cd、Pb能力的影响。结果表明,外加JB11能使高羊茅和红三叶的干重分别比对照都有增加。除外加JB11后在经Pb 1000 mg/kg处理的土壤中高羊茅地上部的Pb浓度、经Cd 200 mg/kg处理的土壤中红三叶地上部的Cd浓度以及经Cd 100 mg/kg处理的土壤中高羊茅和红三叶根部的Cd浓度以外,外加JB11后对其他重金属处理植物中Pb和Cd的含量都显著增加。外加EDDS后除在经Pb 500 mg/kg的土壤中高羊茅根部的Pb浓度增加差异不显著,对其余重金属处理都可产生显著的影响(P0.05)。1/2EDDS+JB11的复合处理下植物重金属吸收量多数高于JB11和EDDS单独处理,JB11用于植物修复土壤Pb和Cd污染具有很大的潜力。     

土壤镉污染对大蒜幼苗生长及根系抗氧化系统的影响

通过土培实验研究了镉污染胁迫对大蒜幼苗生长及根系抗氧化系统的影响.结果表明:与对照组比较,土壤低浓度镉对大蒜幼苗生长略有促进作用,单株鲜质量、干质量、根长及地上部分高度略有增加,而根系活力、可溶性蛋白含量、超氧化物坡化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)和过氧化物酶(POD)活性显著升高,抗氧化防御酶系统仍保持平衡,表现在膜脂质过氧化产物(MDA)含量与对照组无明显差异;但随着土壤镉浓度的进一步增加,大蒜平均单株鲜质量、干质量、平均最大根长及地上部分高度均显著降低,同时,根系活力和可溶性蛋白含量增幅逐渐减弱,抗氧化防御酶系统平衡受到破坏,根系MDA含量显著上升.大蒜对镉吸收积累主要在根部,而向地上部分转运较少.     

Se胁迫条件下EDDS对彩叶草生长和生理指标及Se含量的影响

采用室内水培法,研究了在1.0 mg.L-1Se胁迫条件下添加0.0(CK)、0.5、1.0、1.5、2.5和5.0 mmol.L-1乙二胺二琥珀酸(EDDS)对彩叶草(Coleus blumei Benth.)鲜质量及部分生理指标的影响,并对相同条件下彩叶草各器官的Se含量以及Se富集系数和转运系数进行了分析。分析结果表明:在1.0 mg.L-1Se胁迫条件下,添加0.5～1.5 mmol.L-1EDDS,彩叶草根、茎和叶的鲜质量均明显高于对照;而添加2.5和5.0 mmol.L-1EDDS,各器官的鲜质量均低于对照;总体上,随EDDS浓度的提高,彩叶草根、茎、叶的鲜质量逐渐下降。随着EDDS浓度的提高,彩叶草根中的MDA含量逐渐增加但均显著低于对照;而随EDDS浓度的提高,叶中的SOD、CAT和APX活性均呈低浓度时降低、高浓度时升高的趋势,而GSH含量、POD和GSH-Px活性则呈低浓度时升高、高浓度时降低的趋势。添加1.0 mmol.L-1EDDS,彩叶草叶片中的SOD、CAT和APX活性均降至最低且显著低于对照,而GSH含量、POD和GSH-Px活性则达到最高值且显著高于对照。随EDDS浓度的提高,彩叶草根、茎和叶中的Se含量以及Se富集系数和转运系数均呈低浓度时升高、高浓度时降低的趋势;各处理组彩叶草根中的Se含量明显高于茎和叶,茎中的Se含量则略高于叶;添加1.0 mmol.L-1EDDS,根、茎和叶中的Se含量以及富集系数和转运系数均达到最高值且显著高于对照。实验结果表明:添加适宜浓度的EDDS可增加彩叶草对Se的吸收及富集能力,有利于Se污染土壤的修复,且对彩叶草的生长及代谢无明显影响。     

外源GSH对盐胁迫下番茄幼苗生长及抗逆生理指标的影响

采用营养液栽培法,研究外源谷胱甘肽(GSH)对NaCl胁迫下番茄幼苗生长、根系活力、电解质渗透率和丙二醛(MDA)、脯氨酸(Pro)、可溶性糖含量以及超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性的影响,为利用外源物质减轻盐胁迫伤害提供理论依据。结果显示:(1)NaCl胁迫显著抑制了番茄幼苗的生长、根系活力和SOD、POD、CAT活性,提高了电解质渗透率及MDA、Pro、可溶性糖含量;(2)外源喷施GSH能够诱导NaCl胁迫下番茄幼苗叶片抗氧化酶SOD、POD、CAT活性上调,电解质渗透率及MDA含量下降,Pro和可溶性糖含量恢复至对照水平;(3)外源喷施还原型谷胱甘肽抑制剂(BSO)使NaCl胁迫下番茄幼苗的根系活力以及抗氧化酶SOD、POD、CAT活性下降,脯氨酸含量提高;(4)喷施GSH可诱导BSO和NaCl共处理番茄植株的根系活力、SOD、POD、CAT活性提高,MDA和Pro含量降低。研究表明,外源GSH可通过提高促进盐胁迫下番茄幼苗植株渗透调节能力及清除活性氧的酶促系统的防御能力、降低细胞膜脂过氧化程度、保护膜结构的完整性,从而有效缓解NaCl胁迫对番茄幼苗生长的抑制,提高其耐盐性。     

羽衣甘蓝对镉的耐性和富集特征研究

以观赏绿化植物羽衣甘蓝(Brassica oleracea L.var.acephala DC.)为试验材料,采用盆栽试验,研究其对镉的耐性和富集特征,探讨羽衣甘蓝对镉污染土壤生物修复的可行性。结果显示:(1)随着镉处理浓度的增加,羽衣甘蓝干重呈先升高后降低的趋势,20~80mg·kg-1镉处理能促进植株的生长,100~120mg·kg-1镉处理虽然显著抑制了根系的生长,但是促进了地上部的生长,整体而言对全株生长无明显影响,表明羽衣甘蓝对镉有较强的耐性,且地上部的耐性高于根系。(2)所有镉处理下,羽衣甘蓝叶片的SOD、POD和APX活性较高,MDA含量和电解质渗漏率与对照无差异;而镉处理浓度高于80mg·kg-1时,根系的SOD、CAT和APX活性显著降低,MDA含量和电解质渗漏率显著升高,引起严重的膜脂过氧化伤害,这可能是羽衣甘蓝地上部的镉耐性高于根系的原因之一。(3)羽衣甘蓝地上部的镉含量高于根系,且随着镉处理浓度的增加均逐渐增加,在镉处理浓度为120mg·kg-1时达到最大值,分别为50.15mg·kg-1(根系)和52.01mg·kg-1(地上部);植株对镉的转运系数大于1,地上部镉富集量高于根系,地上部最大富集量为每株343.19μg。研究表明,羽衣甘蓝对镉有很强的耐性和富集、转运能力,是一种良好的修复镉污染土壤的观赏绿化植物资源。     

土壤不同镉水平对马缨丹生长及其抗氧化酶活性的影响

采用盆栽试验方法,分别设置0(对照,不添加镉)、30、60、90、120、150、180、210mg·kg-1共8个土壤镉处理水平,研究土壤不同镉水平对马缨丹(Lantana comara L.)生长及其抗氧化酶活性的影响,以探讨马缨丹对镉胁迫的生理响应机制。结果显示:(1)随着土壤镉处理浓度的升高,马缨丹干重呈先升高后降低的趋势,30mg·kg-1镉处理能促进植株的生长,而浓度高于60mg·kg-1时显著抑制马缨丹的生长。(2)马缨丹叶片和根系中O-·2产生速率、H2O2和MDA含量及电解质渗漏率均随土壤镉处理浓度的升高和胁迫时间的延长逐渐升高,胁迫90d时,叶片和根系中O-·2产生速率、H2O2和MDA含量及电解质渗漏率分别在镉浓度高于60和30mg·kg-1时显著低于对照。(3)叶片和根系抗氧化酶SOD、POD、APX和CAT活性随着土壤镉处理浓度的增加大体呈先升高后降低的趋势,并在镉浓度分别高于90和60mg·kg-1时,叶片和根系抗氧化酶活性显著低于对照。研究表明,低浓度镉处理土壤能促进马缨丹植株生长,而高浓度镉处理土壤显著降低了马缨丹体内抗氧化酶活性,导致活性氧大量积累,引起严重的膜脂过氧化伤害,从而显著抑制马缨丹植株的生长。     

小麦苗期对1, 2, 4-三氯苯胁迫的生理响应

通过砂培试验,研究了6种浓度(0、0.3、0.6、1.0、1.5 mmol/kg沙和2.0 mmol/kg沙)的1, 2, 4-三氯苯(TCB)对两种小麦烟辐188(耐性基因型)和扬麦16(敏感基因型)种子发芽率、发芽指数、幼苗生物量、以及叶片和根系的蛋白质含量、丙二醛含量(MDA)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性、过氧化物酶(POD)活性、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性等生理指标的影响.结果表明两种小麦基因型具有显著的差异,在TCB胁迫下,烟辐188的种子发芽率、发芽指数、幼苗生物量均高于扬麦16,烟辐188和扬麦16的叶片可溶性蛋白含量分别与对照差异不显著和显著偏低.随着TCB浓度的升高,烟辐188根系的可溶性蛋白含量呈上升趋势,与对照差异显著,而扬麦16先略有上升然后呈下降趋势,且显著低于对照.TCB胁迫导致扬麦16叶片SOD、POD活性小于对照,CAT活性显著小于对照;而烟辐188叶片SOD活性与对照间差异不明显,POD和CAT活性在低浓度TCB胁迫时与对照差异不大,在高浓度时小于对照,其MDA含量低于扬麦16.烟辐188根系SOD、POD活性对TCB胁迫不敏感,扬麦16 SOD、POD活性受O-·2诱导而上升,但由于其O-·2产生速率要大于烟辐188,仍然不能清除多余的O-·2,最终其根系MDA含量高于烟辐188.总体而言,TCB胁迫下烟辐188的发芽情况、幼苗生长情况和生理指标均好于扬麦16,表现出对TCB胁迫有较强的耐受性和适应性.     

不同能源柳无性系对土壤镉污染的抗性研究

运为了比较不同能源柳无性系对土壤镉抗性的差异,采用盆栽方法,设置土壤镉含量5个梯度(0、10、20、40、80 mg·kg^-1),以乡土旱柳为对照,对能柳1、能柳2、能柳E、能柳C的扦插幼苗对土壤镉污染的生理生态反应进行了系统测定,分析了不同无性系的抗性。结果显示,低浓度处理（≤20 mg·kg^-1）促进苗木生长,其中能柳2在10 mg·kg^-1处理下根和单株生物量增幅最大,可达到对照的132.0%和120.0%;随着镉浓度的增加,生长量下降,在最高浓度处理下,能柳C生长量降低最少,根、枝、叶和单株生物量分别为对照的86.1%、85.3%、82.9%、84.9%,旱柳的枝、叶生物量降低最多,为对照（无镉）的43.8%、45.0%,而能柳1的根、单株生物量降低最多,仅为对照的36.1%、44.4%;随着镉浓度的增加,不同能源柳无性系叶片的SOD、POD、CAT活性和根系活力基本呈现先升后降的趋势,其中,CAT活性变化较为平缓;关于SOD活性和根系活力,能柳1、能柳2在20 mg·kg^-1时已显著下降,旱柳在40 mg·kg^-1时显著下降,而能柳E、能柳C在40 mg·kg^-1时才显著下降。采用隶属函数对5个无性系在镉胁迫条件下的生长和酶指标进行综合分析,不同无性系对土壤镉污染的抗性顺序为能柳C>能柳2>能柳1>旱柳>能柳E。不同无性系对镉均有抗性,都可在镉污染区推广种植,栽培中,应根据土壤污染和绿化目标,做出适当选择。     

镉胁迫下红树植物木榄幼苗的生理生化特性

用含CdCl2的Hoagland营养液处理了沙培中的木榄(Bruguiera gymnorrhiza)幼苗.2个月后对幼苗丙二醛(MDA)、叶绿素含量、过氧化物酶(POD)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性及其同工酶进行分析.结果表明,镉引起幼苗膜质过氧化,导致总叶绿素含量显著下降.镉主要影响迁移率大的阴离子型POD同工酶的活性.1 mmol·L-1镉显著抑制根中2条CAT同工酶RC-1和RC-2的活性.木榄根CAT和叶POD同工酶分析可作为红树林镉污染的监测手段之一.     

镉诱导的菊芋幼苗膜脂过氧化和抗氧化酶活性及过氧化物酶同工酶的改变

用含有不同浓度(0~400μmol/L)Cd(NO3)2的Hoagland营养液处理砂培的菊芋。处理50d后,测定植物体内镉积累量以及过氧化物酶(POD)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性,并对POD同工酶进行电泳分析。发现在Cd50~100μmol/L浓度内,随着镉浓度的升高,菊芋根和叶中镉的积累量显著增加,而随后积累量的增加有所减少。根和叶中MDA含量显著上升,说明镉引起了膜脂过氧化。0~100μmol/LCd处理,根和叶中POD活性随Cd浓度增加而增强,而在200~400μmol/LCd处理下有所减弱。根和叶SOD活性在50~200μmol/LCd处理下随Cd浓度增加而增强,而在400μmol/LCd处理下SOD活性明显受到抑制。根和叶CAT活性随Cd浓度升高而增强。电泳结果显示,POD同工酶变化明显,镉诱导出一条新酶带LP10。菊芋POD同工酶可以作为镉污染的土壤的生物指示剂。     

Effects of plant growth regulators (DA-6 and 6-BA) and EDDS chelator on phytoextraction and detoxification of cadmium by Amaranthus hybridus Linn.

In this study, pot experiments were carried out to investigative the effects of growth-promoting hormone diethyl aminoethyl hexanoate (DA-6), 6-Benzylaminopurine (6-BA), and chelator [S,S]-Ethylenediaminedisuccinic acid (EDDS) when applied to soil contaminated with cadmium (Cd). The substances were applied alone and in combination to assess their impact on biomass, Cd phytoextraction, subcellular distribution, and chemical forms in Cd hyperaccumulator Amaranthus hybridus Linn. (A. hybridus). Results showed that the treatment of EDDS alone inhibited plant growth, and raised the Cd concentration in the plant shoot and root. Treatments with DA-6 and 6-BA combined with EDDS alleviated the negative effect of EDDS on plant growth, resulting in a synergistic effect on Cd phytoaccumulation and translocation. At the subcellular level, DA-6 and 6-BA detoxified the Cd toxicity in the plant by retaining the Cd in the cell wall. On the distribution of the chemical form of Cd in plant shoot, DA-6 and 6-BA significantly decreased Cd mobility in the plant compared to EDDS. These results confirmed that combining DA-6 and 6-BA with EDDS can counteract the adverse effect of EDDS on plant growth. The treatment of 5.0 mmol kg^?1 EDDS + 1 μM DA-6 was optimal for improving the remediation of A. hybridus Linn. growing in Cd contaminated soil.     

Effects of organic amendments on Cd, Zn and Cu bioavailability in soil with repeated phytoremediation by Sedum plumbizincicola

Organic materials with different functional groups can be used to enhance metal bioavailability. Traditional organic materials (rice straw and clover) and ethylenediamine disuccinic acid (EDDS) were applied to enhance metal uptake from polluted soil by Sedum plumbizincicola after repeated phytoextraction. Changes in pH, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and metal concentrations were determined in the soil solution after EDDS application. Amendment of the soil with ground rice straw or ground clove resulted in higher concentrations of Cd only (by factors of 1.92 and 1.71 respectively) in S. plumbizincicola compared to control soil. Treatment with 3 mmol kg(-1) EDDS increased all the metals studied by factors of 60.4, 1.67, and 0.27 for Cu, Cd, and Zn, respectively. EDDS significantly increased soil solution DOC and pH and increased soil plant-available metals above the amounts that the plants could take up, resulting in high soil concentrations of soluble metals and high risk of ground water contamination. After repeated phytoremediation of metal contaminated soils the efficiency of metal removal declines as the concentrations of bioavailable metal fractions decline. Traditional organic materials can therefore be much more effective and environmentally friendly amendments than EDDS in enhancing phytoremediation efficiency of Cd contaminated soil     

Assessment of EDDS and vermicompost for the phytoextraction of Cd and Pb by sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

The effects of Ethylenediamine disuccinic acid (EDDS) (0 and 5?mmol·kg^?1) as a synthetic chemical amendment, vermicompost (0 and 5%w/w) as an organic amendment and their combined application were evaluated for the phytoextraction by sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) at three artificial contamination levels in soils (0, 50, and 100?mg·kg^?1 for Cd and 0, 100, and 200?mg·kg^?1 for Pb). The results showed that the application of EDDS was the most effective method to increase Pb and Cd concentrations in both parts of the plant. The results also showed that the application of EDDS increased 9.27% shoot Pb content at 200?mg·kg^?1 but decreased 15.95% shoot Cd content at 100?mg·kg^?1 contamination level with respect to the respective controls. The bioavailable concentrations of Cd at 100?mg·kg^?1 and Pb at 200?mg·kg^?1 contamination level in the soil at the end of experiment increased 25% and 26%, respectively after the application of EDDS but vermicompost decreased 43.28% the bioavailable Pb concentration relative to their controls. Vermicompost increased the remediation factor index of Cd, thus making it the best treatment for the phytoextraction of Cd. The combined application of EDDS and vermicompost was the best amendment for Pb phytoextraction.     

Identifying the functional groups and the influence of synthetic chelators on Cd availability and microbial biomass carbon in Cd-contaminated soil

Synthetic chelators play an important role in boosting the microbial biomass carbon (MBC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and heavy metal solubility in a contaminated soil toward a sustainability of environment for agricultural crops. Castor plant was grown under different levels of Cd contaminated soil (?Cd and +Cd) following adding three chelating agents, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (H₄EDTA), nitriloacetic acid (H₃ NTA), and NH₄ citrate (ammonium citrate) to the soil at rates of 10, 15, and 25 mmol in 5 kg of soil per pot. The highest bioavailable Cd concentrations in soil and castor plant were obtained from NH₄ citrate and H₄EDTA treatments in the contaminated soil. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis showed that NH₄ citrate was the most effective chelator in Cd-contaminated soil. MBC and DOC contents were significantly increased and reached at 81.98–80.37 and 1.96–1.90 mg kg^?1 respectively, in the (H₃ NTA) and NH₄ citrate treatments in Cd-contaminated soil. Further research is needed to investigate the use of chelators in the phytoextraction of Cd-contaminated soils under field conditions and whether it may be beneficial in accelerating the phytoextraction of Cd through hyperaccumulating plants.     

A novel strategy using biodegradable EDDS for the chemically enhanced phytoextraction of soils contaminated with heavy metals

For the sake of cost and potential environmental risk, it is necessary to minimize the amount of chelants used in chemically enhanced phytoextraction. In the present study, a biodegradable chelating agent, EDDS was added in a hot solution at 90°C to the soil in which garland chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum coronarium L.) and beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L., white bean) were growing. The application of hot chelant solutions was much more efficient than the application of normal chelant solutions (25°C) in improving the uptake of heavy metals by plants. When 1 mmol kg⁻¹ of EDDS as a hot solution was applied to soil, the concentrations of Cu, Zn and Cd and the total phytoextraction by the shoots of the two plant species exceeded or approximated those in the shoots of plants treated with 5 mmol kg⁻¹ of normal EDTA solution. The concentrations of metals in the shoots of beans were significantly correlated with the relative electrolyte leakage rate of root cells, indicating that the root damage resulting from the hot solution might play an important role in the process of chelant-enhanced metal uptake. The soil leaching study demonstrated that decreasing the dosage of chelant resulted in decreased concentrations of soluble metals in soils. On the 28th day following the application of chelant, the concentrations of soluble metals in the EDDS treated soil were not significantly different from the concentrations in the control soil to which chelants had not been applied. The application of biodegradable EDDS in hot solutions to soil may be an efficient alternative in chemically-enhanced phytoextraction to increase metal removal and to reduce possible leaching.Section Editor: J. Barcelo     

镉胁迫对鸡冠花种子萌发及幼苗生理生化特性的影响

采用水培法和盆栽法测定分析不同浓度Cd(0、50、100、150、200 mg/L)胁迫对鸡冠花种子萌发、幼苗生物量、叶片光合色素、渗透调节物质(可溶性蛋白、可溶性糖、脯氨酸)、丙二醛(MDA)、低分子巯基化合物(GSH、GSSG、Cys、NPT)含量以及抗氧化酶 (SOD、POD、CAT、APX)活性的影响,探讨鸡冠花耐受Cd胁迫的能力及其生理机制,为植物解毒机制提供基础资料。结果显示：(1)鸡冠花种子的发芽势、发芽率和发芽指数在低浓度Cd处理下提高,而活力指数、根长及苗长在各浓度Cd胁迫下均不同程度降低,以上指标均在低浓度(50、100 mg/L)Cd胁迫下受到显著抑制,且根长受抑制程度显著高于苗长;幼苗生物量(整株鲜重、地上部分鲜重及地下部分鲜重)在200 mg/L Cd胁迫时受到显著抑制,较对照分别下降了61.9%、58.4%和72.7%;根冠比及主根长虽未受到显著影响,但总体呈现降低趋势。(2)鸡冠花幼苗叶片叶绿素和类胡萝卜素含量在100~200 mg/L Cd胁迫下均显著降低,叶片可溶性蛋白、可溶性糖和脯氨酸含量在Cd胁迫下总体呈升高趋势,并分别在50、150、200 mg/L时显著升高。(3)鸡冠花幼苗叶片各抗氧化酶活性在Cd胁迫下呈不同变化趋势,POD和APX活性在各浓度Cd胁迫分别增加23.1%~304.2%和160.0%~280.0%;SOD活性在各浓度Cd胁迫均受到抑制,但仅在150 mg/L时显著降低43.2%;CAT活性在50~150 mg/L Cd胁迫下显著增强了46.6%~66.5%,但在200 mg/L Cd胁迫却显著降低59.5%。(4)高浓度(200 mg/L)Cd胁迫下鸡冠花幼苗叶片巯基化合物GSH、GSSG、Cys、NPT含量分别比对照上升了53.2%、164.2%、53.9%和0.79%,而GSH/GSSG比值显著降低。研究发现,鸡冠花种子萌发期和幼苗期对Cd胁迫均具有一定的耐受力,但高浓度Cd胁迫仍致使幼苗部分抗氧化酶活性降低,ROS过量积累,引起膜脂过氧化程度加深,其产物MDA含量逐渐升高;Cd胁迫促进低分子巯基化合物含量呈不同幅度的增加,但GSH/GSSG比值下降,细胞内氧化还原反应(Redox)受到抑制,导致幼苗正常生长代谢受阻,生物量持续降低。     

Differential response of wheat roots to Cu, Ni and Cd treatment: oxidative stress and defense reactions

Wheat seedlings cv. Zyta were treated with Cu, Ni and Cd at the concentrations causing approximately 50 % root growth inhibition, i.e. 12.5, 50 and 60 μM, respectively. Tissue metal accumulation, membrane permeability, lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation, concentration of thiol compounds as well as protease, glutathione S-transferase (GST) and peroxidase (POD) activities were studied in roots after 7 days of metal exposure. The metals showed different concentrations in root tissues with Cu and Cd being accumulated to the smallest and to the greatest extent, respectively. Membrane permeability was significantly enhanced by Cu and Ni but not by Cd treatment. All metals induced similar increase in protein oxidation, while significant enhancement of lipid peroxidation was observed only in the case of Cu treatment. The detected thiol compounds: cysteine (Cys), homocysteine (Hcy), γ-glutamylcysteine (γ-GluCys) and glutathione (GSH) were differently influenced by the metal treatment. Ni appeared to be the most effective inductor of GSH accumulation while both Cu and Ni similarly increased Cys content in the roots. Accumulation of γ-GluCys was found in response to Cu and Cd applications. Concentration of Hcy was enhanced by Cd treatment but exposure to Ni decreased its content below the level of detection. The activity of GST was considerably elevated by Cd and Ni treatments, while POD activity was increased only in response to Cu application. Our study showed that wheat roots differently responded to treatment with metals used at the concentrations having similar impact on growth.     

Phytoextraction Potential of Poplar (Populus alba L. var. pyramidalis Bunge) from Calcareous Agricultural Soils Contaminated by Cadmium

To investigate the phytoextraction potential of Populus alba L. var. pyramidalis Bunge for cadmium (Cd) contaminated calcareous soils, a concentration gradient experiment and a field sampling experiment (involving poplars of different ages) were conducted. The translocation factors for all experiments and treatments were greater than 1. The bioconcentration factor decreased from 2.37 to 0.25 with increasing soil Cd concentration in the concentration gradient experiment and generally decreased with stand age under field conditions. The Cd concentrations in P. pyramidalis organs decreased in the order of leaves > stems > roots. The shoot biomass production in the concentration gradient experiment was not significantly reduced with soil Cd concentrations up to or slightly over 50 mg kg^–1. The results show that the phytoextraction efficiency of P. pyramidalis depends on both the soil Cd concentration and the tree age. Populus pyramidalis is most suitable for remediation of slightly Cd contaminated calcareous soils through the combined harvest of stems and leaves under actual field conditions.     

Plant uptake and the leaching of metals during the hot EDDS-enhanced phytoextraction process

Using pot experiments, the effect of the application of the biodegradable chelating agent S,S-ethylenediaminedisuccinic acid (EDDS) in hot solutions at 90 degrees C on the uptake of Cu, Pb, Zn, and Cd by corn (Zea mays L. cv. Nongda No. 108) and beans (P vulgaris L. white bean), and the potential leaching of metals from soil, were studied. When EDDS was applied as a hot solution at the rate of 1 mmol kg(-1), the concentrations and total phytoextraction of metals in plant shoots exceeded or approximated those in the shoots of plants treated with normal EDDS at the rate of 5 mmol kg(-1). On the other hand, the leaching of Cu, Pb, Zn, and Cd after the application of the hot EDDS solution at the rate of 1 mmol kg(-1) was reduced by 46%, 21%, 57%, and 35% in comparison with that from the application of normal EDDS at 5 mmol kg(-1), respectively. For treatment with 1 mmol kg(-1) of EDDS, the leached metals decreased to the levels of the control group (that without EDDS amendment) 14 d after the application of EDDS. The soil amendment with biodegradable EDDS in hot solutions may provide a good alternative to chelate-enhanced phytoextraction in enhancing metal uptake by plants and limiting metals from leaching out of the soil.     

Uptake of Cadmium by Hydroponically Grown,Mature Eucalyptus Camaldulensis Saplings and the Effect of Organic Ligands

The potential suitability of Eucalyptus camaldulensis for Cd phytoextraction was tested in a hydroponic study. Saplings were exposed to 4.5 and 89 μM Cd for one month, with and without EDTA and s,s-EDDS at 0.1, 1, and 5 mM. The saplings’ growth was not affected at the 4.5 μM Cd concentration, yet it decreased 3-fold at 89 μM, and almost all the Cd taken up was immobilized in the roots, reaching 360 and 5300 mg Cd kg^?1, respectively (approximately 75% of which was non-washable in acid). The respective Cd root-to-shoot translocation factors were 0.14 and ≈5*10^?4. At 0.1 mM concentration, EDTA and EDDS had no effect or even a positive effect on the saplings growth. This was reversed at 1 mM, and the chelants became lethal at the 5 mM concentration. At 89 μM Cd in the growth medium, 0.1 mM EDTA increased Cd translocation into the shoots by almost 10-fold, however it strongly reduced Cd content inside the roots. This hydroponic study indicates the feasibility of E. camaldulensis use for cleanup Cd-contaminated soils at environmental concentrations, both for site stabilization (phytostabilization) and gradual remediation (phytoextraction). EDTA was shown to be much more efficient in enhancing Cd translocation than s,s-EDDS.