Physiological Effects of Heavy Metals on the Moss Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus

Experiments on the effect of Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn, suppliedas single salt solutions between 10 µM and 0·1M, on the moss Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus showed little alterationto respiratory rates but reduced photosynthetic rates, and somemembrane damage as assessed by K leakage. Two distinct morphologicalforms of the moss showed different responses to supplied heavymetal. Storage of material, after 30 mins exposure to heavymetals, resulted in a further decrease in the photosyntheticrate. Expressing the photosynthetic decline relative to thetotal heavy metal recovered from the moss showed a similar pattern.Transfer of metal from extracellular exchange sites into theprotoplast was also demonstrated with storage after exposure.An approximately linear relationship was demonstrated betweenphotosynthetic decline and intracellular heavy-metal concentration,irrespective of the duration of exposure or morphological natureof the material used. Photosynthetic decline on storage is concludedto be a response to additional metal stress rather than a progressivedeterioration of the physiological process. Cadmium, copper, lead, nickel, zinc, photosynthesis, respiration, membrane damage, intracellular metals, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus (Hedw.) Warnst     

WATER EXCHANGE, TEMPERATURE TOLERANCE, OXYGEN CONSUMPTION AND ACTIVITY OF THE NAMIB DESERT SNAIL, TRIGONEPHRUS SP.

Water exchange, temperature tolerance and oxygen consumptionof the snail, Trigonephrus sp., from the southern Namib desertof Namibia were examined and related to activity. At 25°Cand 15% R.H. mean water loss and food and water uptake were5.95 mg. day^–1 and 630 mg.day^–1, respectively. Bodytemperature tracked sand temperature. Snails tolerated sandtemperatures as high as 45°C. Mean ± S.D. oxygenconsumption rates were 32.0 ± 2.94 µlO₂.g totalbody mass^–1.h^–1 at 15°C, when the snails wereactive, and 11.27 µlO₂.g total body mass^–1.h^–1at 25°C, when the snails were inactive. These values are2-6 times lower than those recorded for the similarly sizedmesic snail, Helix aspersa. Activity experiments indicated thatlow ambient temperatures and high humidities were favoured bythe snails. This, together with the burying behaviour of thesesnails during high temperatures, suggests that they limit stressby restricting activity to physiologically-favourable periods,even though more-extreme conditions may be tolerated. (Received 7 June 1990; accepted 20 November 1990)     

中华绒螯蟹对Pb和Cd的富集与释放特性

应用生物富集双箱动力学模型模拟了中华绒螯蟹(Eriocheir sinensis)分别在Pb浓度为0.25、0.50、0.75mg/L,Cd浓度为0.025、0.050、0.075mg/L的单一水环境中暴露时,蟹鳃、肝胰腺、肌肉和血淋巴对Pb和Cd的生物富集与释放实验,并通过非线性拟合得到中华绒螯蟹对Pb和Cd的富集速率常数k1、排出速率常数k2、生物富集系数BCF、生物半衰期B1/2、富集平衡时生物体内Pb和Cd含量CAmax等动力学参数。结果表明:(1)中华绒螯蟹对Pb和Cd具有明显的富集,蟹鳃、肝胰腺和肌肉中Pb和Cd的含量与富集时间和水环境中Pb和Cd暴露浓度表现出了很好的正相关,血淋巴在富集阶段没有明显的规律。理论平衡状态下鳃、肝胰腺和肌肉中Pb和Cd含量CAmax随着暴露浓度的增大而增大,且成正相关。(2)Pb和Cd在中华绒螯蟹组织器官中的富集具有选择性,开始实验前,Pb在中华绒螯蟹体内的的分布规律为:肝胰腺>鳃>肌肉>血淋巴;Cd的分布规律为:鳃>肝胰腺>血淋巴>肌肉。在实验浓度的Pb和Cd水环境中暴露16d后,Pb的分布规律为:鳃>肝胰腺>肌肉>血淋巴;Cd的分布规律为:肝胰腺>鳃>肌肉>血淋巴。(3)中华绒螯蟹对Pb和Cd的生物富集和释放都较缓慢。经过16d的生物富集,各组织器官中Pb和Cd的含量均未达到稳态平衡。Pb和Cd在组织器官中的生物富集系数(BCF)范围分别为5-51和6-3148,中华绒螯蟹对Cd的富集能力明显高于Pb(P1/2)范围分别为4-9d和8-57d,中华绒螯蟹对Cd的排出能力明显低于Pb。       

Cadmium,chromium, and lead accumulation in aquatic plants and animals near a municipal landfill

This research was conducted to assess the contamination of heavy metals in the water, sediment, aquatic plants and animals around a municipal landfill. The heavy metals were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The concentrations of cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), and lead (Pb) in water and sediment were Not detected (ND), 0.05 ± 0.98, and 0.02 ± 0.01 mg/L; and 0.47 ± 0.23, 18.65 ± 11.39, and 5.36 ± 2.08 mg/kg, respectively. A total of 24 aquatic plants from 4 species were collected from the municipal landfill. Cd concentrations in all plant species were within the standard, while Cr and Pb exceeded the standard. Forty-four fish from 4 species, 29 freshwater snails from 3 species, 10 freshwater prawns from 1 species, and 9 freshwater crabs from 1 species were collected. Cd and Cr concentrations in 2 species of fish samples exceeded the standard and Pb concentration in all fish species exceeded the standard. Cd and Pb concentrations in all freshwater snails were within the standard, except Cr. Meanwhile, Cd and Pb in freshwater prawns and snails were within the standard, except Cr. Five species of frogs were collected. Cd and Cr concentrations in 2 species exceeded the standard. Pb concentrations in all frog species exceeded the standard. The pattern of metal accumulation was fish > frogs > freshwater snails > freshwater prawns = freshwater crab (Cd), freshwater prawn > frogs > freshwater crab = freshwater snail > fish (Cr), and freshwater prawn > fish > frogs > freshwater snail > freshwater crab (Pb).     

三峡水库蓄水后铜鱼和圆口铜鱼肌肉和肝脏中重金属水平

为了解三峡水库蓄水后鱼体重金属富集现状及其潜在的生态风险和食品安全, 测定了三峡水库上、中、下游不同年龄组铜鱼(Coreius heterodon)和圆口铜鱼(C. guichenoti)肌肉和肝脏中重金属含量。利用等离子吸收光谱法、石墨炉原子吸收光谱法、原子荧光光谱法检测样品中Cu、Zn、Cr、Pb、Cd、Hg、As 等 7种重金属含量。结果表明: 7 种重金属在铜鱼和圆口铜鱼体内的含量水平基本一致, 重金属在铜鱼和圆口铜鱼肌肉中含量大小均为Zn Cu Cr Hg AsPb Cd, 在铜鱼肝脏中含量大小为Zn Cu Pb Cd Cr As Hg, 而在圆口铜鱼肝脏中含量大小为Zn Cu Pb Cr Cd Hg As。铜鱼和圆口铜鱼肝脏中重金属含量显著高于肌肉(P0.05)。两种鱼类间大部分重金属在库区上、中、下游无显著差异(P 0.05)。铜鱼和圆口铜鱼肌肉(可食用部分)中7 种重金属含量均未超过国家食品安全卫生标准, 属于安全食用范围;肝脏中除Cd 和Pb 外的其他元素含量均未超过国家标准。相关结果反映了三峡水库175 m 蓄水后底栖土著经济鱼类重金属的污染状况, 对了解该地区水产品质量安全状况及水产品安全评价提供了参考依据。       

GROWTH, MORTALITY AND FECUNDITY IN SUCCESSIVE GENERATIONS OF HEIX ASERSA MULLER CULTURED INDOORS AND CROWDING EFFECTS ON FAST-, MEDIUM- AND SLOW-GROWING SNAILS OF THE SAME CLUTCH

This paper examines the optimum conditions for edible snailsHelix aspersa to be cultured indoors successfully in successivegenerations (originating from the crossing of snails comingfrom different clutches of a previous generation), and the effectof crowding on growth and reproduction in fast-, medium-, andslow-growing snails coming from the same clutches. The timeneeded for the snails to reach marketable size (25–32mm)varied from 2.5 to 5 months up to the 7th generation. The timeneeded for the snails to mature and reproduce from 4 to 7 monthsuntil the fifth generation. After the F5 x F5 generation, thefinal size of the snails decreased. The number of eggs did notdiffer statistically among the different generations but thereproductive success (how many snails reproduced/cage) increasedfrom Fl = Fl generation onwards to F5 x F5. In F6 x F6 onlythree (out of 26) snails reproduced and in F7 x F7 none, althoughthe snails remained under controlled conditions for 15 moremonths. Mortality in the different generations varied from 0–10%up to F5 x F5 but from F6 x F6 onwards increased and reached25%. Concerning the origin of snails, it was found that largersnails (originating from Kyparissia, Peloponnesos) lay statisticallymore eggs (138.40 ± 29.60, N =5) than smaller ones (77.38± 40.42, N=4) (originating from Hania, island of Crete).Hatching success was greater, too. (Received 10 September 1996; accepted 24 March 1997)     

Zinc, Lead and Cadmium Tolerance, Uptake and Accumulation by the Common Reed,Phragmites australis(Cav.) Trin. ex Steudel

Zinc (Zn), lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) tolerance in populationsof seedlings ofPhragmites australisraised from seeds collectedfrom a mine site (Plombières, Belgium) contaminated withZn, Pb and Cd and three ‘clean’ sites (Felixstowe,UK; Wisbech, UK; and Mai Po, Hong Kong) were studied under glasshouseconditions. Small differences were found between the metal-contaminatedpopulation and the three ‘clean’ populations whenseedlings were grown in 1.0 µg  ml^-1Zn and 10.0 µgml^-1Pb treatment solutions. In general, however, different populationsof seedlings showed similar growth responses, metal uptake andindices of Zn, Pb and Cd tolerance when cultured in the samemetal-contaminated media for 89 d or in the same metal treatmentsolutions (ZnSO₄:1.0 and 4.0 µg ml^-1Zn; Pb(NO₃)₂: 10.0and 25.0 µg ml^-1Pb; CdSO₄: 0.5 and 1.0 µg ml^-1Cd)for 3 weeks. There was insufficient evidence to support thehypothesis that the metal-contaminated population has evolvedto a Zn-, Pb- or Cd-tolerant ecotype but the results indicatedsome differentiation between the populations with that fromHong Kong being the least productive under the experimentalconditions used. The implications of the findings on selectionof provenances for use in constructed wetlands for wastewatertreatment are discussed. Metal accumulation; heavy metal tolerance; Phragmites australis; population differentiation     

Fractionation,Source Identification and Risk Assessments for Heavy Metals in Soils near a Small-Scale Industrial Area (Çanakkale-Turkey)

Contamination of soils by heavy metals due to urbanization increases various environmental concerns. The objective of this research was to determine the potential sources of heavy metals in agricultural soils in the vicinity of a small-scale industrial area and to assess their environmental impacts. Soil samples were obtained from 15 different locations near a small industrial area in the Çanakkale province of Turkey. Heavy metal (Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn) contents of soil samples were determined with four different geochemical fractions via a sequential extraction procedure. The results revealed that pseudo-total heavy metal concentrations were ordered in decreasing order as Zn > Pb > Cu > Ni > Co > Cd. Considering the results, Cd (1.95 ± 0.12 µg/g), Pb (39.21 ± 2.14 µg/g) and Zn (64.99 ± 8.16 µg/g) values were above the normal values specified for agricultural lands. The findings obtained from sequential extraction procedure showed that Cd (78%) and Pb (65%) existed mostly in mobile phases. Such mobile phases originated mostly from anthropogenic sources. These findings were also supported by chemometric analyses. Risk assessments pointed out that while Pb and Zn have moderate risks on the environment, Cd creates high risks.     

FEEDING AND GROWTH RESPONSES TO COPPER, ZINC, MERCURY AND LEAD IN THE TERRESTRIAL GASTROPOD ARIONATER (LINNE)

Food consumption and growth variations related to several dosagesof heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Hg and Pb) in diet were studied inthe terrestrial slug Arion ater for 27 days of experimentaltreatment. The work reported here is part of a larger project to investigatethe histological effects of metal exposure in pulmonate gastropods. Graphics on food consumption and growth vs. time for each metal,and regression for each behaviour observed are presented. (Received 30 May 1985;     

重金属离子对黑斑蛙胚胎及蝌蚪的毒性影响

本文研究了5种重金属对黑斑蛙胚胎期及蝌蚪期的毒性作用,结果表明,各重金属离子对胚胎期中的孵化期和开口期毒性较大,其余各期毒性较小。各重金属离子对胚胎的毒性顺序为Hg     

UPTAKE OF ACETATE BY NEOTRICULA APERTA (GASTROPODA: POMATIOPSIDAE), THE SNAIL HOST OF SCHISTOSOMA MEKONGI IN THE LOWER MEKONG BASIN

All three races of Neotricula aperta, an epilithic, schistosometransmitting, snail of the Mekong and Mul rivers of NortheastThailand and southern Laos, were found to take up acetate froma dilute solution. After 48 h incubation the mean specific netuptake rates (µmol^–1 g^–1 h^–1), from750 µM acetate, were: 1.86, -race; 1.39, ß-raceand 3.25, y-race. Over 48 h the snails were able to achievereductions in the ambient acetate concentration of up to 60%.Incubations under bacteriostatis suggested that bacteria arenot involved in the uptake of acetate by N. aperta. The uptakecharacteristics conform to the Michaelis-Menten model. The transportconstants, J_max (µmol^–1 g^–1 h^–1) andK_t (µM) were 1.10 and 102 respectively (-race). Racialdifferences in uptake characteristics are discussed in relationto micro-habitat differences. HPLC indicated concentrations of acetate in y-N. aperta microhabitatsof around 325 µM. This suggests a pool size sufficientto satisfy only 6% of the snail's basal metabolic rate (BMR).Levels within the epilithic aufwuchs, however, are probablyhigh enough to provide for more than 50% of the BMR. The possible role of acetate in the energy metabolism of N.aperta is discussed. Short-chain carboxylic acids (such as acetate),arising from the decomposition of the aufwuchs, could representsources of fermentable organics that may be taken up by N. apertasnails and used to supplement their nutrition during times offood shortage. However, further investigations involving ¹⁴C-labellingtechniques are required. The findings of this investigationhave implications for the chemical ecology and life-cycle ofN. aperta. (Received 16 June 1994; accepted 28 July 1994)     

Modification of the root plasma membrane lipid composition of cadmium-treated Pisum sativum

The effects of in vivo Cd treatments on pea root plasma membrane(PM) lipid composition were studied. In the long-term experiment,plants were supplied with Cd: moderate stress (10 µM)or strong stress (50 µM) for 10 d. Growth of root andshoot was severely affected in 50 µM Cd-treated plants,as evidenced by the approximately 7-fold reduction in theirRelative Growth Increment (RGI). Treatment with Cd (10 µM)resulted in changes to the lipid composition of the pea rootPM, including increases in the degree of unsaturation of phospholipid-associatedfatty acids and in the relative amount of stigmasterol (30–42%).This change was accompanied by a reduction in sitosterol content(26.8 to 17.4 µg mg^–1 protein). However, the sterolcomposition was not altered in plants treated with 50 µMCd for 10 d. The content of phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine(major phospholipids present in pea root PM) decreased as Cdlevel increased, but the ratio between them remained unaffected.In the short-term experiment, plants exposed to Cd (50 µM)accumulated less sitosterol (from 27.7 to 14.0 µg g mg^–1protein) over 72 h, but no significant effect on other measuredlipids was observed. The physiological repercussions of changesin plasma membrane lipid composition, as a result of Cd exposureare discussed. Key words: Cadmium, lipids, pea, Pisum sativum, plasma membranes     

HEAVY METALS AND MARINE PHYTOPLANKTON: CORRELATION OF TOXICITY AND SULFHYDRYL-BINDING1,2

In a study of sublethal effects of metals on growth of the marine diatom Asterionella japonica Cleve, the relative toxicities of Hg, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, and Mn are shown to be correlated (r = 0.961) with the solubility products of the corresponding metal sulfides. The results, together with findings elsewhere, suggest a common action for these heavy metals, with toxicity deriving from metal binding to sulfhydryl-containing compounds in the cell.     

Alterations in Neurobehavioral Responses in Fishes Exposed to Lead and Lead-chelating Agents

Lead (Pb) is a neurotoxic element that causes behavioral dysfunctionin fishes within days of exposure to sublethal concentrations.To test the hypothesis that internal stores of Pb have long-termbehavioral effects, Pb-exposed (0.3 ppm) fish were either treatedwith the Pb-chelating drug meso-2,3 dimercaptosuccinic acid(DMSA) or returned to controlconditions (0.0 ppm Pb). Swimmingcapacity improved after a 7-day DMSA (1.5 ppm) exposure (ANOVAP < 0.05). Removing fish from conditions of waterborne Pbdid not achieve this result; DMSA alone without Pb pretreatmenthad no significant effect. Blood Pb (BPb) levels in controlor DMSA-only fish were not detectable. Treated groups had significantlyhigher BPb (ANOVA, P < 0.05): Pb-exposed fish—530.5± 156.7, 884.6 ± 130.0 ppm (1, 2 wks, respectively);Pb-exposed 0.0 ppm water—488.8 ± 67.3 ppm after2 wks; Pb-exposed 1.5 ppm DMSA—202.0 ± 116.0 ppmafter 2 wks. Norepinephrine and vanillylmandelic acid levelswere altered by Pb exposure (ANOVA, P < 0.05). Whereas removingPb did not facilitate a return to control values, adding DMSAdid (ANOVA, P < 0.05). Temporal-spatial response patternsto a stimulus in Pb-exposed (0.1 ppm) and Pb-exposed 0.0 ppmPb water groups differed from controls (0.0 ppm Pb; 0.0 ppmDMSA) for stimulus response angle, and rate and extent of movementaway from stimulus source. While the two control types weresimilar for stimulus response angle and reaction time, DMSA-onlycontrols, unlike 0.0 ppm Pb controls, did not respond as a tightly-associatedgroup after the stimulus.     

DCEBIO stimulates Cl- secretion in the mouse jejunum

We investigated the effects of 5,6-dichloro-1-ethyl-1,3-dihydro-2H-benzimidazol-2-one(DCEBIO) on the Cl^– secretory response of the mouse jejunum using the Ussing short-circuit current (I_sc) technique. DCEBIO stimulated a concentration-dependent, sustained increase in I_sc (EC₅₀ 41 ± 1 µM). Pretreating tissues with 0.25 µM forskolin reduced the concentration-dependent increase in I_sc by DCEBIO and increased the EC₅₀ (53 ± 5 µM). Bumetanide blocked (82 ± 5%) the DCEBIO-stimulated I_sc consistent with Cl^– secretion. DCEBIO was a more potent stimulator of Cl^– secretion than its parent molecule, 1-ethyl-2-benzimidazolinone. Glibenclamide or NPPB reduced the DCEBIO-stimulated I_sc by >80% indicating the participation of CFTR in the DCEBIO-stimulated I_sc response. Clotrimazole reduced DCEBIO-stimulated I_sc by 67 ± 15%, suggesting the participation of the intermediate conductance Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channel (IK_Ca) in the DCEBIO-activated I_sc response. In the presence of maximum forskolin (10 µM), the DCEBIO response was reduced and biphasic, reaching a peak response of the change in I_sc of 43 ± 5 µA/cm² and then falling to a steady-state response of 17 ± 10 µA/cm² compared with DCEBIO control tissues (61 ± 6 µA/cm²). The forskolin-stimulated I_sc in the presence of DCEBIO was reduced compared with forskolin control tissues. Similar results were observed with DCEBIO and 8-BrcAMP where adenylate cyclase was bypassed. H89, a PKA inhibitor, reduced the DCEBIO-activated I_sc, providing evidence that DCEBIO increased Cl^– secretion via a cAMP/PKA-dependent manner. These data suggest that DCEBIO stimulates Cl^– secretion of the mouse jejunum and that DCEBIO targets components of the Cl^– secretory mechanism. 1-ethyl-2-benzimidazolinone; forskolin; glibenclamide; clotrimazole; H89     

Accumulation of Ag, Cd, Co, Cu, Hg, Ni and Pb in Pavlova viridis Tseng (Haptophyceae)

The flagellate alga Pavlova viridis Tseng was investigated in the laboratory for accumulation of the heavy metals, silver, cadmium, cobalt, copper, mercury, nickel and lead. The cultures were grown in an artificial seawater medium mixed with the individual metals at different concentrations. Based on data from the controls, the baseline metal concentrations in P. viridis were shown to be in an order of Cu > Pb > Co > Cd > Ni > Ag > Hg. In the experimental groups, the seven metals displayed different isotherm equilibrium patterns and the metal uptake capacity of the alga was Ni > Pb > Co > Hg > Cu > Cd > Ag at equilibrium. When assessed using the bioconcentration factors, metal accumulation by P. viridis was demonstrated to be the most efficient at a concentration of 0.001 mg L-1 for Ag, Cd and Co, and at 0.01 mg L-1 for Cu, Hg, Ni and Pb. This study suggests that P. viridis can be a source of mineral supplements in mariculture. The alga is not, however, recognized as an effective agent for removing heavy metals from wastewater. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Assessment of potential health risk of heavy metals in soils from a rapidly developing region of China

Soil heavy metal contamination is a major environmental concern, and health risk associated with heavy metals is not fully explored. A combination of spatial analysis and Monte Carlo simulation was successfully used to identify the possible sources and health risk of cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), and copper (Cu) in soils collected from a rapidly developing region of China. It was found that mean concentrations of Cd (0.17 mg/kg ), As (8.74 mg/kg ), Hg (0.15 mg/kg ), Pb (27.28 mg/kg ), and Cu (33.32 mg/kg ) were greater than the soil background values. Accumulation and spatial variability of heavy metals were significantly affected by anthropogenic activities and soil properties. The risk assessment indicated that non-carcinogenic risk was not significant. However, 95% of the total cumulative carcinogenic risk of children was greater than 1E-05, implying high potential carcinogenic risk with As and Pb representing the major contributors. Ingestion of heavy metals in the soils was the main exposure pathway compared with the inhalation and the dermal exposure. Concentration of heavy metals in the soils, particulate emission factor, and dermal exposure ratio were the major parameters affecting health risk. This study highlights the importance of assessment of soil direct exposure health risk in studying heavy metal exposures.     

烟草叶片膜保护酶系统对土壤Hg,Cd,Pb胁迫的响应

采用盆栽实验,就烟草膜保护酶系统对土壤Hg,Cd,Pb胁迫的响应进行研究。结果表明:随着Hg,Cd,Pb浓度的增加,POD活性逐渐增加,CAT活性逐渐减小,SOD活性在三种元素共同作用时逐渐下降,在元素单一或两两作用时,SOD活性呈单峰曲线,但总体水平仍较低。土壤Hg,Cd,Pb的这种影响表现出三元素共同作用>两两元素作用>单一元素作用。影响的结果造成活性氧产生与清除之间的不平衡,致使相关生理生化过程紊乱。三种重金属对烟草活性氧清除系统的影响表现出明显地协同作用。     

Tolerance and hyperaccumulation of a mixture of heavy metals (Cu,Pb, Hg,and Zn) by four aquatic macrophytes

In the present investigation, four macrophytes, namely Typha latifolia (L.), Lemna minor (L.), Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms-Laubach, and Myriophyllum aquaticum (Vell.) Verdc, were evaluated for their heavy metal (Cu, Pb, Hg, and Zn) hyperaccumulation potential under laboratory conditions. Tolerance analyses were performed for 7 days of exposure at five different treatments of the metals mixture (Cu⁺², Hg⁺², Pb⁺², and Zn⁺²). The production of chlorophyll and carotenoids was determined at the end of each treatment. L. minor revealed to be sensitive, because it did not survive in all the tested concentrations after 72 hours of exposure. E. crassipes and M. aquaticum displayed the highest tolerance to the metals mixture. For the most tolerant species of aquatic macrophytes, The removal kinetics of E. crassipes and M. aquaticum was carried out, using the following mixture of metals: Cu (0.5 mg/L) and Hg, Pb, and Zn 0.25 mg/L. The obtained results revealed that E. crassipes can remove 99.80% of Cu, 97.88% of Pb, 99.53% of Hg, and 94.37% of Zn. M. aquaticum withdraws 95.2% of Cu, 94.28% of Pb, 99.19% of Hg, and 91.91% of Zn. The obtained results suggest that these two species of macrophytes could be used for the phytoremediation of this mixture of heavy metals from the polluted water bodies.     

An effect of zinc on M-phase and G1 of the plant cell cycle in the synchronous TBY-2 tobacco cell suspension

An analysis was undertaken of the effects of a toxic metal,zinc, on plant cell suspension cultures of the TBY–2 cellline of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum cv. Bright Yellow 2) in orderto determine whether Zn acts in a cell cycle-specific manner.In the control treatment (0 Zn), following a 24 h synchronizationwith aphidicolin and 7 h after the release from the inhibitor,the mitotic index peaked at 45%. The inclusion of Zn in the24 h aphidicolin treatment (100, 200 or 300 µM Zn) resultedin a concentration–dependent decrease in the mitotic peakto 30%, 22% and 10%, respectively, but did not affect the timingof the peak. Hence, despite high concentrations of Zn, cellstraversed from S–phase to mitosis, albeit in smaller proportions,at the same rate as the controls. Cells treated with 0, 100or 200 µM Zn during synchronization and then releasedinto Zn–free media showed successive peaks in mitoticindex at 7 h and 21 h following release, i.e. Zn-treated cellsprogressed through a complete cell cycle at the same rate asthe controls. Synchronization and subsequent release into Zn–containingmedium (100 µM) examined the effect of the metal on predominantlylate G1 cells. In this treatment, the mitotic index peaked at7 h and 19 h, indicating a slightly faster cell cycle (12 h)compared with the control (14 h). Continuous exposure to 100µM Zn through both synchronization and release resultedin a cell cycle of 11 h and a differential effect on the componentphases: M–phase lengthened (1.5 h to 3.5 h) and G1 shortened(6 h to 1 h) compared with the control treatment. Vital staining (Evans Blue) revealed that cell mortality increasedfrom 2.7% (0 Zn) to 6.1% and 6.5% at 100 and 200 µM Zn,respectively. The Zn content of cells increased 40–lfoldfrom 0 to 100 µM Zn. The data are consistent with theeffects of Zn reducing the cycling cell population primarilythrough cell arrest rather than cell death, but also revealthat a substantial population of TBY–2 cells progressedthrough the cell cycle despite accumulating Zn. In particular,the duration of G2 and S-phase was remarkably invariant, clearlyindicating that once plant cells meet the requirements of lateG1 check-points, they are committed to divide, even in the presenceof toxic concentrations of Zn. The synchronous TBY–2 cell suspension, which lacks theheterogeneity and developmental constraints of plant meristems,is an excellent system to study the effects of known toxic metals,and indeed other environmental factors, on the plant cell cycle. Key words: Cell cycle, plant cell suspensions, Nicotiana tabacum, zinc, toxicity