Bioaccumulation and translocation of heavy metals by nine native plant species grown at a sewage sludge dump site

In the present study, nine native plant species were collected to determine their potential to clean up nine heavy metals from soil of a sewage sludge dump site. Almost all nine plant species grown at sewage sludge dump site showed multifold higher concentrations of heavy metals as compared to plants grown at the reference site. All the investigated species were characterized by a bioaccumulation factor (BF) > 1.0 for some heavy metals. BF was generally higher for Cd, followed by Pb, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Mn, Zn, and Fe. The translocation factor (TF) varied among plant species, and among heavy metals. For most studied heavy metals, TFs were <1.0. The present study proved that the concentrations of all heavy metals (except Cd, Co, and Pb) in most studied species were positively correlated with those in soil. Such correlations indicate that these species reflect the cumulative effects of environmental pollution from soil, and thereby suggesting their potential use in the biomonitoring of most heavy metals examined. In conclusion, all tissues of nine plant species could act as bioindicators, biomonitors, and remediates of most examined heavy metals. Moreover, Bassia indica, Solanum nigrum, and Pluchea dioscoridis are considered hyperaccumulators of Fe; Amaranthus viridis and Bassia indica are considered hyperaccumulators of Pb; and Portulaca oleracea is considered hyperaccumulator of Mn.     

粤东铅锌尾矿三种优势植物对重金属的吸收和富集特性研究

为探讨铅锌矿废弃地优势植物在重金属污染土壤植物修复中的应用潜力,利用野外采样分析法,从粤东梅县丙村铅锌尾矿区采集其三种优势植物类芦、黄荆、盐肤木的根、茎、叶和土壤样品,测定和分析Pb、Zn、Cu、Cd四种重金属含量.结果表明:该矿区土壤污染严重,Pb、Zn、Cd含量远超土壤环境质量的三级标准,Cu超出二级标准;根际土壤和非根际土壤重金属含量均为Pb＞Zn＞Cu＞Cd,但根际土壤的重金属含量显著低于非根际土壤;这三种植物对Pb、Zn、Cu的转移系数大于1.0,对Cu的富集系数最高,Pb最小,但对四种重金属的富集系数均小于1.0,均未达到超富集植物临界含量标准.三种植物为该矿区的优势植物,说明它们对土壤的重金属污染有很强的耐性,虽然并非典型的超富集植物,但对污染土壤仍有较好的修复效果.     

Screening of plant growth promoting traits in heavy metals resistant bacteria: Prospects in phytoremediation

Phytoremediation is considered as a novel environmental friendly technology, which uses plants to remove or immobilize heavy metals. The use of metal-resistant plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) constitutes an important technology for enhancing biomass production as well as tolerance of the plants to heavy metals. In this study, we isolated twenty seven (NF1-NF27) chromium resistant bacteria. The bacteria were tested for heavy metals (Cr, Zn, Cu, Ni, Pb and Co) resistance, Cr(VI) reduction and PGPB characters (phosphate solubilization, production of IAA and siderophores). The results showed that the bacterial isolates resist to heavy metals and reduce Cr(VI), with varying capabilities. 37.14% of the isolates have the capacity of solubilizing phosphate, 28.57% are able to produce siderophores and all isolates have the ability to produce IAA. Isolate NF2 that showed high heavy metal resistance and plant growth promotion characteristics was identified by 16S rDNA sequence analysis as a strain of Cellulosimicrobium sp.. Pot culture experiments conducted under greenhouse conditions showed that this strain was able to promote plant growth of alfalfa in control and in heavy metals (Cr, Zn and Cu) spiked soils and increased metal uptake by the plants. Thus, the potential of Cellulosimicrobium sp. for both bioremediation and plant growth promotion has significance in the management of environmental pollution.     

肠道修复：一种利用益生菌减少重金属积累的新思路

近年来受到重金属工业废水的排放及人类日常活动的影响,我国大面积土壤中重金属含量急剧增高。不同重金属可能通过食物链进入人体,给人类健康带来隐患。因此,减少重金属在动物体肠道中的积累是降低重金属危害的一个重要课题。研究显示,一些益生菌能够在体内外环境中有效地结合重金属,但人们对益生菌结合重金属的能力,及其对重金属的肠道修复机理了解较少。本文针对目前镉、铅、铬等重金属对环境与动物体健康造成严重危害的现状,分析了各类重金属的污染来源,概括了益生菌在环境与动物体肠道中对各种重金属的修复情况及作用机理,重点考察了益生菌在动物体肠道环境中与重金属相互作用的机理研究,同时对未来利用益生菌制剂直接减少人体肠道内重金属积累进行了展望。     

Toxicity, accumulation, and removal of heavy metals by three aquatic macrophytes

A comprehensive understanding of the uptake, tolerance, and transport of heavy metals by plants will be essential for the development of phytoremediation technologies. In the present paper, we investigated accumulation, tissue and intracellular localization, and toxic effects of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) in three aquatic macrophytes (the angiosperms Lemna minor and Elodea canadensis, and the moss Leptodictyum riparium). We also tested and compared their capacity to absorb heavy metal from water under laboratory conditions. Our data showed that all the three species examined could be considered good bioaccumulators for the heavy metals tested. L. riparium was the most resistant species and the most effective in accumulating Cu, Zn, and Pb, whereas L. minor was the most effective in accumulating Cd. Cd was the most toxic metal, followed by Pb, Cu, and Zn. At the ultrastructural level, sublethal concentrations of the heavy metals tested caused induced cell plasmolysis and alterations of the chloroplast arrangement. Heavy metal removal experiments revealed that the three macrophytes showed excellent performance in removing the selected metals from the solutions in which they are maintained, thus suggesting that they could be considered good candidates for wastewaters remediation purpose.     

重庆溶溪锰矿区土壤重金属污染评价及植物吸收特征

对重庆溶溪锰矿尾渣堆积区土壤、优势植物以及周边农田土壤的重金属含量(Mn、Cd、Cu、Zn和Pb)进行测定分析,并以重庆市土壤背景值为评价标准,应用Hakanson潜在生态危害指数法对土壤中重金属的潜在生态危害进行了评价。结果表明:该锰矿尾渣堆积区土壤中Mn、Cd、Cu、Zn和Pb的平均含量分别为48382.5、3.91、79.97、131.23和80.68 mg/kg,受到Mn、Cd的严重污染,Mn为强或很强生态危害,Cd为极强生态危害,而Cu、Zn、Pb为轻微生态危害,各尾矿渣堆积区的综合潜在生态危害指数(RI)均远大于720,为极强生态危害。对优势植物重金属含量的分析显示,绝大部分植物地上部Mn、Cd含量都超出正常范围的上限值,而Cu、Zn和Pb含量基本都在正常范围内;根据植物对重金属的吸收特征,将植物分为三类:将重金属主要累积于地上部分的富集型,如垂序商陆(Phytolacca americana L.)和酸模叶蓼(Polygonum lapathifolium Linn.),适用于重金属复合污染土壤的植物修复;将重金属主要累积于根部的根部囤积型,如芒(Miscanthus sinensis Anderss.)和乌蕨(Stenoloma chusanum Ching);重金属含量较低的规避型,如黄花蒿(Artemisia annua L.)、长波叶山蚂蝗(Desmodium sequax Wall.)及钻形紫苑(Aster subulatus Michx.);后两种类型的植物可种植在重金属污染严重且使用价值相对较低的矿山废弃地上,同时规避型植物对于研究植物的重金属排斥机理具有重要价值。溶溪锰矿区周边农田土壤主要受到Cd的严重污染,Cd为很强或极强生态危害。     

Screening of willow species for resistance to heavy metals: comparison of performance in a hydroponics system and field trials

The aim of this study was to ascertain whether metal resistance in willow (Salix) clones grown in a hydroponics screening test correlated with data from the same clones grown independently in a field trial. If so, results from a short-term, glasshouse-based system could be extrapolated to the field, allowing rapid identification of willows suitable for planting in metal-contaminated substrates without necessitating longterm field trials. Principal Components Analysis was used to show groups of clones and to assess the relative importance of the parameters measured in both the hydroponics system and the field; including plant response factors such as increase in stem height, as well as metal concentrations in plant tissues. The clones tested fell into two distinct groups. Salix viminalis clones and the basket willow Black Maul (S. triandra) were less resistant to elevated concentrations of heavy metals than a group of hardier clones, including S. burjatica 'Germany,' S.x dasyclados, S. candida and S. spaethii. The more resistant clones produced more biomass in the glasshouse and field, and had higher metal concentrations in the wood. The less resistant clones had greater concentrations of Cu and Ni in the bark, and produced less biomass in the glasshouse and field. Significant relationships were found between the response of the same clones grown the in short-term glasshouse hydroponics system and in the field.     

环境重金属污染的植物修复及基因工程在其中的应用

随着工业技术的发展,重金属在土壤和水体中的含量越来越高,重金属污染已日益成为威胁人类健康和人类生活质量的严重的社会问题和环境问题。植物修复可部分解决这一问题且正引起人们的普遍关注。但现在发现许多用于修复的超量积累植物生长缓慢、植株矮小、地上部生物量小,成了实际应用中的最大限制。利用基因工程手段改变植物对重金属吸收、转运、积累和忍耐的机制,从而提高植物对重金属的富集能力,将成为今后植物修复领域研究的一个重要方向。     

Effectiveness of naturally occurring Aphis gossypii on tomato plants as a bio-indicator for heavy metals in Riyadh and Hafar Al-Batin,Saudi Arabia

Although certain pollutants can be biologically degraded by microorganisms, rendering their impact short-term, others can not be impaired, such that their effect persists. The present study evaluates the effectiveness of using a field-collected aphid, Aphis gossypii, as a bio-indicator for heavy metals in tomato farms in Riyadh and Hafar Al-Batin, Saudi Arabia. Heavy metals were selected (Cd, Cu, Zn, and Pb) and measured for comparative screening in field-collected plants, soil, and aphids using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Field-collected aphids from both studied regions were identified as Aphis gossypii. In Riyadh, there was no significant difference observed for Cd, Cu, and Zn for all experimental samples, while, Pb was showed differences among samples especially tomato leaves None of the studied samples in Hafar Al-Batin were showed statistically significant differences in Cd, in reverse to significant differences in the other heavy metals. Comparing concentrations of selected heavy metals between the two studied regions was showed that neither region showed a significant difference in heavy metals except for Cu. This study demonstrates that tomato leaf samples showed the highest concentrations of most studied heavy metals, followed by soil, then aphids. Aphids were utilized as a bio-indicator of heavy metals in the studied regions.     

Phytoavailability assessment of heavy metals in soils by single extractions and accumulation by Phaseolus vulgaris

In Western Europe, policy makers are currently moving towards a more integrated risk-based approach of soil contamination assessment. As part of this approach, selective single extraction procedures have been proposed to add complementary insights regarding heavy metal behaviour and phytoavailability in soils and sediments. However, there is currently a wide range of such procedures available in literature, hampering standardisation and harmonisation of phytoavailability research of heavy metals. The current study examines shoot accumulation of Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn by the test plant Phaseolus vulgaris in 21 soils, differing in soil composition and level of contamination. On these soils, 12 different commonly used extraction procedures have been compared: soil solution extraction by Rhizon soil moisture samplers, 0.01 M CaCl₂, 0.1 M NaNO₃, 1 M NH₄NO₃, 1 M NH₄NOAc, 1 M MgCl₂, 0.11 M HOAc, 0.5 M HNO₃, 0.1 M HCl, DTPA–TEA–CaCl₂, EDTA-NH₄OAc and aqua regia. The plant species used in this study has previously been proposed as a test plant in a bioassay for assessing heavy metal induced oxidative stress in contaminated soils [Van Assche, F., Clijsters, H., 1990. A biological test system for the evaluation of the phytotoxicity of metal-contaminated soils. Environ. Pollut., 66, 157–172]. Cadmium shoot accumulation correlated best with soil solution concentrations, unbuffered nitrate solutions and the dilute CaCl₂ extraction procedure. The same was observed for Zn, yet for this element NH₄OAc and MgCl₂ also provided significant interactions. The best prediction for Ni was observed in the cluster containing CaCl₂ and NH₄NO₃. For Cd, Zn and Ni, the pseudo-total content and the aggressive chelate based and/or acidic extractants did not correlate well with shoot accumulation. Cu and Pb uptake on the other hand was found to correlate significantly (p = 0.01) with total content as well as with all aggressive extraction procedures over the range of soils used in this experiment. In general, the 0.01 M CaCl₂ extraction procedure proved to be the most versatile as it provided a good indication of phytoavailability for all five metals under evaluation.     

The accumulation of heavy metals in Typha latifolia L. grown in a stream carrying secondary effluent

Typha latifolia L. from aquatic plants is widely found throughout Kehli Stream (Elazig, Turkey). This study examined the uptake of some metals by T. latifolia and the transfer from roots to other plant parts. The accumulation of Mn in T. latifolia L. can be suggested as a tolerance strategy due to its transfer factor higher than 1.0. The enrichment coefficients in the leaves of T. latifolia L. were higher than 1.0 for Zn and Mn and often lower than 1.0 for other metals. Similarly, the enrichment coefficients of all metals, except for Cr, in roots of T. latifolia L. were higher than 1.0. This study demonstrated that T. latifolia L. could be considered as either a bio-indicator or a bio-accumulator for sediments and water polluted by metals.     

Concentrations of heavy metals in fish species targeted by anglers in central New Jersey: A pilot study

The purpose of this study was to investigate the concentrations of toxic metals in the edible portion of fish tissue obtained from the Raritan River in New Brunswick, New Jersey (NJ) between April and May of 2014. Species collected for this study included commonly caught fish such as bluegill, small and large mouth bass, brown and rainbow trout, bullhead catfish, and white perch. Samples were filleted and the muscle tissue subsequently dehydrated and then chemically digested. Samples were analyzed using Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Levels of 28 different metals were quantified for each specimen. In general, metal contamination in fish tissues was below the recommended limits. However, lead was found in one sample at a tissue concentration of 88 µg per 225 g fillet, which is above the recommended daily consumption limit as set by the Food and Safety Authority of Ireland. The maximum level found for arsenic was 23 µg per 225 g fillet. The fish samples taken from the Raritan River in New Brunswick, NJ for this study did not contain dangerous levels of most of the metals tested.     

Phytoremediation of heavy metal contaminated soil potential by woody plants on Tonglushan ancient copper spoil heap in China

Fast-growing metal-accumulating woody plants are considered potential candidates for phytoremediation of metals. Tonglushan mining, one of the biggest Cu production bases in China, presents an important source of the pollution of environment. The sample was collected at Tonglushan ancient copper spoil heap. The aims were to measure the content of heavy metal in the soil and woody plants and to elucidate the phytoremediation potential of the plants. The result showed that soil Cu, Cd and Pb were the main contamination, the mean contents of which were 3166.73 mg/kg, 3.66 mg/kg and 137.06 mg/kg respectively, which belonged to severe contamination. Fourteen species from 14 genera of 13 families were collected and investigated; except for Ligutrum lucidum, the other 13 woody plants species were newly recorded in this area. In addition, to assess the ability of metal accumulation of these trees, we proposed accumulation index. Data suggested that Platanus × acerilolia, Broussonetia papyrifera, Ligutrum lucidum, Viburnum awabuki, Firmiana simplex, Robina pseudoacacia, Melia azedarach and Osmanthus fragrans exhibited high accumulated capacity and strong tolerance to heavy metals. Therefore, Platanus × acerilolia and Broussonetia papyrifera can be planted in Pb contaminated areas; Viburnum awabuki, Firmiana simplex, Robina pseudoacacia and Melia azedarach are the suitable trees for Cd contaminated areas; Viburnum awabuki, Melia azedarach, Ligutrum lucidum, Firmiana simplex, Osmanthus fragrans and Robina pseudoacacia are appropriate to Cu, Pb and Cd multi-metal contaminated areas.     

Cadmium and copper uptake and accumulation by Sesbania rostrata seedling, a N-fixing annual plant: implications for the mechanism of heavy metal tolerance

Sesbania rostrata,an annual tropical legume,has been found to be tolerant to heavy metals,with an unknown mechanism.It is a promising candidate species for revegetation at mine tailings.In this study,sequential extractions with five buffers and strong acids were used to extract various chemical forms of cadmium and copper in S.rostrata,with or without Cd or Cu treatments,so that the mechanisms of tolerance and detoxification could be inferred.Both metals had low transition rates from roots to the aboveground of S.rostrata.The transition ratio of Cd (4.00%) was higher than that of Cu (1.46%).The proportion of NaCl extracted Cd (mostly in proteinbinding forms) increased drastically in Cd treated plants from being undetectable in untreated plants.This suggests that Cd induced biochemical processes producing proteinlike phytochelatins that served as a major mechanism for the high Cd tolerance of S.rostrata.The case for Cu was quite different,indicating that the mechanism for metal tolerance in S.rostrata is metal-specific.The proportion of water-insoluble Cu (e.g.oxalate and phosphate) in roots increased significantly with Cu treatment,which partially explains the tolerance of S.rostrata to Cu.However,how S.rostrata copes with the high biotic activity of inorganic salts of Cu,which increased in all parts of the plant under Cu stress,is a question for future studies.Sesbania rostrata is among the very few N-fixing plants tolerant to heavy metals.This study provides evidence for the detoxification mechanism of metals in Sesbania rostrata.     

Influence of heavy metals on the accumulation of trimethylglycine, putrescine and spermine in food plants

Summary. Increased contents of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn) and other heavy metals in barley plants enhanced the accumulation of trimethylglycine (betaine), putrescine and spermine. Higher contents of heavy metals in barley were caused by soil enrichment with heavy metals and by soil salinity. The highest accumulation of spermine and betaine (increase 3-fold or 5-fold in comparison to untreated soil substrates) was obtained at the highest concentration of heavy metals in plants. Consequently the betaine-N / protein-N-ratio and the spermine-N / protein-N-quotient increased 3-fold in plants with high heavy metal contents. The biomass formation was not changed significantly by the different experimental treatments. Received January 28, 2000 Accepted March 1, 2000     

Effect of different media composition on the micropropagation of Erica andevalensis, a metal accumulator species growing in mining areas (SW Spain)

We describe a micropropagation and acclimatization protocol of Erica andevalensis Cabezudo & Rivera, using stem pieces collected from wild plants. This species always grows in soils enriched with metals such as Fe, Pb, Zn and in acid pH (2.5–4). Among the different media and hormone concentration tested, MS medium with ammonium nitrate concentration reduced to a quarter, 2 mg l⁻¹ indole-acetic acid (IAA) and 0.5 mg l⁻¹ kinetin was found to yield the best growth response in the plants. This medium produced an average of 3.6 ± 1.2 shoots and 16.9 ± 8.3 verticils per explant after 30 days of the onset of the culture. MS media achieved rooting without phytohormones. Rooted plantlets were successfully transferred to plastic containers with autoclaved perlite, watered with MS half-strength, and then to pots with commercial substrate after 2 weeks. New plants were produced in about 100 days. As far as we know, this is the first time that a replicable and complete micropropagation protocol for E. andevalensis has been developed. The plants looked healthy with no visual detectable phenotypic variations. The protocol provides a successful technique that could be used for the conservation of the species, as well as new researches on phenolics and triterpenoids compounds found in plant extracts.     

黔西北铅锌矿区植物群落分布及其对重金属的迁移特征

重金属耐性植物和超富集植物的筛选、鉴定和驯化是植物修复技术研究与发展的关键。以黔西北4个不同恢复年限的铅锌矿为研究对象,通过群落生态调查利用聚类分析方法筛选出研究区域中重金属耐性植物优势种,并分析其对重金属Pb、Zn、Cu、Cd的迁移富集能力。结果表明:4个矿区共发现高等植物22种,分属13科21属,筛选出9种重金属耐性植物优势种,其中转运系数大于1的植物有:黄花蒿(Cu)、珠光香青(Zn)、大叶醉鱼草(Zn/Pb/Cd)、野艾蒿(Cu/Zn/Pb/Cd);没有富集系数大于1的植物。其中大叶醉鱼草具有耐贫瘠、耐旱、生物量大等优势,可将其作为典型的重金属耐性先锋植物,用于矿区废弃地的植物修复。     

Screening of metal uptake by plant colonizers growing on abandoned copper mine in Kapunda,South Australia

Systematic site survey for sample collection and analysis was conducted at a derelict copper (Cu) mine at Kapunda, South Australia. Cu concentrations in the soils at this former mine ranged from 65–10107 mg kg^?1. The pH and EC varied widely in the 3.9–8.4 and 152–7311 µS ranges, respectively. Nine plant species growing over the copper mine site were selected to screen for metal uptake to determine their suitability for phytoremediation. The Australian native tree species Eucalyptus camaldulensis indicated enrichment factor (EF) of 2.17, 1.89, and 1.30 for Cu, Zn, and Pb, respectively, suggesting that this species of tree can accumulate these metals to some degree. The stress-resistant exotic olive, Olea europaea exhibited EF of ≤ 0.01 for Cu, Cd, and Pb, and 0.29 for Zn, which is characteristic of an excluder plant. Acacia pycnantha, the Australian pioneer legume species with EF 0.03, 0.80, 0.32, and 0.01 for Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb, respectively, emerged as another strong metal excluder and consequently as an ideal metal stabilizer.     

Using wild plant species as indicators for the accumulation of emissions from a thermal power plant, Candiota, South Brazil

The impact of Candiota coal-fired thermal power plant on air quality was evaluated during two years by means of passive biomonitoring. The monitoring consisted of the quarterly collection of leaf samples of Baccharis dracunculifolia, Elephantopus mollis, Eryngium horridum, Paspalum notatum and Piptochaetium montevidense or the shoot of Baccharis trimera at five sites located in the area around the power plant. The element load of these plants was used as indicator for atmospheric pollution. In the samples collected, sulphur and heavy metal cadmium contents were measured. Among the species evaluated, E. mollis presented the highest potential to accumulate metal, followed by B. trimera. The Aeroporto and AFUCAN sampling sites, located in the prevailing wind directions, presented the highest level of metal contamination.     

Cadmium and copper uptake and accumulation by Sesbania rostrata seedling, a N-fixing annual plant: implications for the mechanism of heavy metal tolerance

Sesbania rostrata, an annual tropical legume, has been found to be tolerant to heavy metals, with an unknown mechanism. It is a promising candidate species for revegetation at mine tailings. In this study, sequential extractions with five buffers and strong acids were used to extract various chemical forms of cadmium and copper in S. rostrata, with or without Cd or Cu treatments, so that the mechanisms of tolerance and detoxification could be inferred. Both metals had low transition rates from roots to the aboveground of S. rostrata. The transition ratio of Cd (4.00%) was higher than that of Cu (1.46%). The proportion of NaCl extracted Cd (mostly in protein-binding forms) increased drastically in Cd treated plants from being undetectable in untreated plants. This suggests that Cd induced biochemical processes producing protein-like phytochelatins that served as a major mechanism for the high Cd tolerance of S. rostrata. The case for Cu was quite different, indicating that the mechanism for metal tolerance in S. rostrata is metal-specific. The proportion of water-insoluble Cu (e.g. oxalate and phosphate) in roots increased significantly with Cu treatment, which partially explains the tolerance of S. rostrata to Cu. However, how S. rostrata copes with the high biotic activity of inorganic salts of Cu, which increased in all parts of the plant under Cu stress, is a question for future studies. Sesbania rostrata is among the very few N-fixing plants tolerant to heavy metals. This study provides evidence for the detoxification mechanism of metals in Sesbania rostrata.