大花萱草对镉的耐性及积累特性

通过盆栽试验研究了大花萱草对镉(Cd)的耐性及积累特性。结果表明:Cd浓度为0.5mg·kg-1时刺激大花萱草的生长,大于5mg·kg-1时抑制大花萱草生长,Cd浓度小于5mg·kg-1时延长了大花萱草的绿期和花期;随着Cd浓度的增大,大花萱草根系活力、叶绿素含量和含水量逐渐降低,游离脯氨酸和可溶性糖含量先升高后降低,细胞膜透性逐渐升高;Cd在大花萱草体内分布为根系>地上部分,随着Cd浓度的增大,大花萱草根系和地上部分Cd含量逐渐升高、富集系数和转运系数逐渐降低;Cd浓度为20mg·kg-1时大花萱草对Cd的积累量最大,为1.489mg·株-1。综合分析大花萱草的生长、生理变化及富集Cd的能力,大花萱草适用于浓度小于1mg·kg-1的Cd污染土壤的修复。     

不同镉水平下小麦对镉及矿质养分吸收和积累的品种间差异

土壤Cd污染不仅影响作物的生长发育和产量形成,也对食物安全产生了潜在威胁,本试验以苗期生长特性有明显差异的2个小麦品种为供试材料,设置0、0．03、0．1、0．3和1．0mg.kg^-1Cd等5种处理水平,研究不同Cd水平下两品种的生长和Cd及矿质养分吸收,结果表明,低浓度Cd（0.03mg.kg^-1)对两品种的生长和干物质积累有明显的促进作用,而高浓度Cd（＞0.3mg.kg^-1)则显著抑制生长,且受抑制程度与品种有关,甘谷534的耐性相对较强;地上部和根系的Cd含量,Cd处理水平与品种之间存在着显著的互作,低Cd水平下（＜0.1mg.kg^-1),甘谷534的Cd含量较高,而高Cd水平下,则以鄂81513的Cd含量较高;Cd处理显著影响矿质养分的吸收,鄂81513在0.1mg.kg^-1Cd水平下5种大量元素含量明显低于对照,而甘谷534变化相对较小,这与两品种生长和分蘖对Cd处理的反应表现一致。     

Ecotoxicity of soils contaminated with industrial and domestic wastewater in western Shenyang, China

Soil samples were collected from 7 sites in the up-, mid- and down-reach along and nearby the wastewater irrigation channel, western Shenyang of China. The concentrations of selected pollutants (mineral oil, PAHs - polycycle aromatic hydrocarbons and Cd) were determined by UV spectrometer, HPLC and AAS (atomic adsorption spectrometer) spectrometer, respectively. Toxicity effects of soils were evaluated by seedling emergence test with root length of wheat as the end-point and by earthworms test with the mortality rate and inhibition rates of body weight as endpoints. Results showed accumulation of pollutants for most soils with concentration of 200.2 mg.kg-1 ～1600 mg.kg-1 for mineral oil, 0.33 mg.kg-1～1.81 mg.kg-1 for Cd and 900.16 mg.kg-1～ 2737.91 mg.kg-1 for PAHs. The inhibition rates of root elongation were from -20% up to 40 %, and mortality rates of earthworms ranged from 0%～40% from the exposure period of two weeks to eight weeks by sampling interval of two weeks, the inhibition rates of earthworm growth were from -19.36% to 34.53%, showing effects of stimulation at 2 weeks to an increasing effects of inhibition at 4, 6 and 8 weeks, respectively. Mortality rates correlated with the loss of body weight of earthworms.This study indicated the potential risk of pollutants of environmental low content in soil by the determination of selected chemicals combined with toxicity indexes.     

Phosphorus supply and the growth of frequently defoliated white clover (Trifolium repens L.) in dry soil

A previous study found that increased phosphorus (P) supply to frequently defoliated white clover plants, growing in a low-P, dry soil, alleviated water stress symptoms and increased plant recovery on rewatering. In this study we determined how these stresses influence white clover growth. Measurements were made of the leaf canopy, stolon infrastructure and root system of the white clover plants growing in a low-P soil. Treatments included the factorial combination of four levels of P supply, two defoliation frequencies and two soil water treatments. White clover growth declined markedly when P-deficient plants were exposed to frequent defoliation and dry soil conditions. Leaf area was more affected than other parameters, in that the combination of stresses reduced leaf area to 2% of maximum observed for infrequently defoliated plants growing in high-P soil, with adequate water. Increased P supply generally increased the growth of all plant parts. Frequently defoliated plants growing in dry soil produced similar or greater leaf mass and leaf area as plants from similar treatments growing in wet soil, when the P supply increased to 50 mg P kg-1 soil. Higher P rates were able to negate the effect of dry soil on these frequently defoliated plants, as a result of larger water and P uptake. Also, the frequently defoliated plants with restricted root growth did not respond to a small increase in P supply (17 mg P kg-1 soil) for the leaf growth, irrespective of whether they were growing in wet or dry soil. Infrequently defoliated plants with greater root growth, compared to frequently defoliated plants, more than doubled their leaf mass with this P treatment.     

土壤Cd胁迫对三七生长和根系DNA损伤及抗氧化酶活性的影响

采用盆栽实验法,研究了土壤中添加0.0(对照)、0.1、0.3、0.6、1.0、3.0、6.0、10.0和30.0 mg·kg-1Cd对三七〔Panax notoginseng(Burk.)F.H.Chen〕生长和抗氧化酶活性的影响,并采用彗星实验对Cd胁迫条件下三七根尖细胞的DNA损伤进行了分析。结果显示:随土壤Cd添加量增加,三七的成活率、株高、单株复叶数和单株叶面积以及单株根、茎和叶片的干质量及鲜质量总体上呈先升高后降低的趋势;其中,各处理组三七植株的成活率和单株复叶数均高于对照,而株高和单株叶面积则在Cd添加量较低的条件下高于对照、在Cd添加量较高的条件下低于对照;单株根、茎和叶的鲜质量及干质量在Cd添加量30 mg·kg-1条件下均小于对照但差异不显著。随Cd添加量的提高,三七根系中SOD和CAT活性呈先上升后下降、再上升再下降的变化趋势,而POD活性总体上逐渐升高;其中,Cd添加量0.6、1.0、3.0和30.0 mg·kg-1处理组的SOD活性极显著或显著低于对照,而各处理组的POD和CAT活性总体上均高于对照且在Cd添加量1.0~30.0 mg·kg-1条件下与对照有极显著差异。彗星实验结果表明:各处理组三七根尖细胞的彗尾长、尾部DNA相对含量和Olive尾矩均有差异,其中,在Cd添加量较高的条件下各指标均高于对照但差异均不显著。研究结果显示:在较低水平的土壤Cd胁迫条件下,三七的生长、抗氧化酶活性和根系DNA均没有受到明显伤害,而较高水平的Cd胁迫则对其生长和抗氧化酶活性有抑制作用,且根尖细胞DNA损伤也较严重。     

水稻籽粒发育过程中各器官镉积累量的变化及其与基因型和土壤镉水平的关系

以镉（Cd）积累潜力不同的2个籼稻品种为材料,研究了籽粒发育过程中各器官中Cd含量的动态变化及其与土壤中Cd含量的关系。结果表明,在含Cd的生长环境中,水稻根系中的Cd含量在整个生育期中保持稳定增长的趋势,而茎叶、穗轴和稻壳等器官在营养生长阶段积累了大量的Cd,然后在籽粒充实过程中向外输出,其中旗叶和稻壳中的Cd输出率在50%以上,明显高于其他营养器官。根系和叶片中的Cd含量与土壤中的Cd含量呈高度线性相关,茎秆和籽粒中的Cd含量与土壤中的Cd含量呈抛物线相关,说明根系、茎秆、叶片等营养器官对Cd有储存和“过滤”作用。低积累品种‘X24’穗轴中的Cd含量明显低于高积累品种‘T705’,说明营养器官中的Cd向籽粒中转运的速率是决定籽粒中Cd积累量的关键因素。但是,只有当土壤中的Cd含量为0.3~1.2 mg＆#183;kg-1时,低积累品种精米中的Cd含量才会显著低于高积累品种;当土壤中的Cd含量高于2.4 mg＆#183;kg-1时,2个品种精米中的Cd含量没有显著差异。     

不同施肥处理对甜菊生长及糖苷含量和积累量的影响

采用盆栽法,以甜菊( Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni)品种‘中山4号'(‘Zhongshan No.4')当年生扦插苗为研究对象,研究不同形态氮肥(硫酸铵、硝酸钠和尿素)及不同施氮量(纯氮)、施磷量( P2 O5)和施钾量( K2 O)对幼苗生长及糖苷含量和单株积累量的影响。结果显示：随氮肥、磷肥和钾肥施用量的提高,甜菊幼苗的株高、茎粗、叶长、叶宽、单株叶干质量和单株茎干质量均呈先升后降的变化趋势,且总体上与对照无显著差异,仅施磷量300 mg·kg-1处理组的叶长显著高于对照;根据施肥量与单株叶干质量的回归方程,确定硫酸铵、硝酸钠、尿素、磷肥和钾肥的施用量分别为64.87、660.21、735.84、211.54和775.92 mg·kg-1时,幼苗单株叶干质量最高。在硫酸铵处理组中,300 mg·kg-1处理组甜菊叶片中的莱鲍迪苷A( R-A)含量及甜菊苷( St)、R-A和总苷的单株积累量以及600 mg·kg-1处理组的St单株积累量高于对照,多数处理组的St、R-A和总苷含量及单株积累量均低于对照;在硝酸钠处理组中,1200 mg·kg-1处理组的R-A和总苷含量、600和900 mg·kg-1处理组的St单株积累量以及300~900 mg·kg-1处理组的R-A和总苷单株积累量高于对照,其他处理组的St、R-A和总苷含量及单株积累量均低于对照;在尿素处理组中,1500 mg·kg-1处理组的R-A和总苷的含量和单株积累量以及600和900 mg·kg-1处理组的R-A和总苷单株积累量高于对照,其他处理组的St、R-A和总苷含量及单株积累量均低于对照;各施氮处理组中,仅1500 mg·kg-1处理组的R-A含量与对照差异显著,其他指标均与对照无显著差异。在施磷处理组中,100 mg·kg-1处理组的R-A含量以及100和200 mg·kg-1处理组的St、R-A和总苷的单株积累量高于对照,多数处理组的St、R-A和总苷含量及单株积累量低于对照且与对照均无显著差异。在施钾处理组中,各处理组的St、R-A和总苷含量及单株积累量均高于对照,其中仅900 mg·kg-1处理组的St、R-A和总苷含量与对照显著差异。各施肥处理组的St含量占总苷含量的百分率均低于对照、R-A含量占总苷含量的百分率均高于对照,且总体上与对照无显著差异。经过综合分析,建议在甜菊生育期内的施肥量为纯氮600~900 mg·kg-1、P2 O5200~300 mg·kg-1和K2 O 600~900 mg·kg-1,其中氮肥以尿素为宜。     

三种观赏植物对重金属镉的耐性与积累特性

通过盆栽实验,对镉(Cd)胁迫下3种观赏植物含羞草、白雪姬和树马齿苋的生长、生理和重金属累积与分布情况进行了研究。结果表明:含羞草、白雪姬和树马齿苋的平均耐性指数分别为105.57、81.35和79.88;在100mg.kg-1Cd浓度下三者叶绿素a、b的含量分别为对照的83.74%、69.83%;60.64%、51.26%和60.64%、51.26%;类胡萝卜素的含量和叶绿素a/b值无明显变化;三者在Cd胁迫下均表现出O2.-离子生成速度上升,MDA含量增加,电导率升高的趋势,其中含羞草的变化幅度最低,白雪姬次之,树马齿苋最高。三者对Cd的耐性表现为含羞草白雪姬树马齿苋。3种观赏植物对Cd均具有较强累积能力,在土壤Cd含量为100mg.kg-1时,三者根和地上部分的Cd累积浓度均高于100mg.kg-1。且对Cd积累能力为树马齿苋含羞草白雪姬。含羞草、白雪姬和树马齿苋在土壤Cd污染的治理中有一定的应用价值。     

水分、氮肥及MeJA处理对白桦三萜积累特性的影响

以一年半生白桦幼树为试材,研究水分、氮肥和茉莉酸甲酯(MeJA)处理对白桦三萜物质积累的影响,并对白桦植株中三萜积累规律进行了探讨。结果表明:(1)白桦幼树植株中总三萜主要分布在茎皮和叶片,根皮中最低,平均含量分别为71.94、81.60和25.45mg.g-1;叶片中总三萜积累高峰出现在6、7月份,茎皮和根皮中总三萜积累高峰分别出现在8月份和7月份。(2)干旱胁迫早期(6月)中度和重度干旱胁迫显著促进了叶中总三萜积累,分别是对照的1.24和1.27倍。茎皮中,除7月水分胁迫处理显著高于对照外,其它各月份水分胁迫不利于茎皮中总三萜含量积累,干旱胁迫不利根皮中三萜积累。(3)施氮早期(6月)不利于三萜在叶片和根皮中积累,中后期(7～10月),氮肥处理对三萜积累有显著促进作用;而施氮早期(6～7月)促进茎皮中三萜积累作用。(4)MeJA喷施处理对叶片和根皮中三萜积累(7月～10月)均具有显著的促进作用,在积累高峰期分别是对照的1.42倍和1.52倍。(5)轻度干旱、氮肥均促进了白桦幼树株高的增长和生物量的积累,而MeJA处理对整株生物量的积累不利。     

干旱胁迫下镉处理对互叶醉鱼草幼苗生长、镉积累及光合生理的影响

为探究干旱条件下,互叶醉鱼草(Buddleja alternifolia Maxim.)幼苗对重金属镉胁迫的生长及光合生理响应机制,以两年生互叶醉鱼草幼苗为试验材料,设置对照与干旱两个水分处理组(土壤相对含水率分别为:65%—60%,35%—30%),每个水分处理条件下再分别设置3个镉处理浓度(0.28、(0.6+0.28)、(1.2+0.28)mg/kg),共6个处理。测定不同水分及镉处理对互叶醉鱼草生长、生物量、光合参数及体内重金属含量的影响。结果表明:干旱与镉复合胁迫下植物的存活率为100%。镉胁迫、干旱与镉复合胁迫均不同程度抑制了互叶醉鱼草幼苗生长、生物量积累、植株的光合作用及叶绿素含量,且其光合和叶绿素含量的降幅明显大于单一镉胁迫。镉胁迫下,互叶醉鱼草幼苗单株最高镉富集量为69.33 mg/kg,而复合胁迫下单株最高镉富集量为50.68 mg/kg。以上结果表明:干旱胁迫能够加重镉胁迫对植物的影响,使复合胁迫下互叶醉鱼草生长、光合生理及镉富集能力下降。但单一镉胁迫下,互叶醉鱼草对镉具有更强的耐受性,并有较高的生物富集能力,且干旱与Cd复合胁迫下互叶醉鱼草幼苗仍有一定的镉积累量。因此在干旱半干旱区园林绿化以及Cd污染地区的生态建设中,互叶醉鱼草是一种具有巨大应用潜力和前景的灌木树种。     

砷对玉米生长、抗氧化系统及离子分布的影响

采用温室砂培试验,研究了不同浓度砷（As）处理对玉米郑单958幼苗生物量积累、光合色素含量、抗氧化系统、As及矿质离子吸收、分布的影响.结果表明：低浓度（＜2 mg·L^-1）的As刺激了玉米幼苗的生长,植株株高、主根长和生物量积累均显著增加;高浓度（＞4 mg·L^-1）As严重抑制了玉米幼苗生长.2 mg·L^-1As处理下,叶绿素a、叶绿素b和叶绿素a+b含量均达到峰值;随As处理浓度增加,叶绿素含量逐渐下降;电镜观察发现,10 mg·L^-1 As处理下,叶片叶绿体结构遭到破坏,类囊体膜溶解.根系3种抗氧化酶（SOD、POD、CAT）活性均随As浓度增加而增大;叶片3种抗氧化酶活性在8 mg·L^-1出现峰值,且对As处理的敏感性表现为POD>CAT>SOD.MDA、可溶性糖和可溶性蛋白含量与As浓度呈正相关.高浓度的As明显抑制了P、K、Ca、Fe等元素的吸收.根系对As胁迫的反应比地上部更为敏感,因此根系生长发育指标更适合作为植物As毒害的指示指标.     

不同栽培方式对籼、粳稻根表铁膜和根铁、镉含量的影响

在Cd污染土壤中研究淹水、覆膜、覆草和湿润栽培对籼、梗稻不同生育时期根表铁膜Fe、Cd含量和根Cd含量的影响．结果表明,在分蘖期,梗稻根表铁膜Fe含量和根Cd含量在4种栽培方式中平均为6．37和25．49mg．kg^-1。分别比籼稻的4．52和16．37mg·kg^-1增加1．85和9．12mg·kg^-1．在孕穗期,粳稻根表铁膜Fe、Cd含量和根Cd含量在4种栽培方式中平均为1．60、16．35和54．68mg·kg^-1,分别比籼稻的1．06、9．56kg和43．31mg·kg^-1增加0．54、6．79和11．37mg·kg^-1．在灌浆期,梗稻根表铁膜Fe含量覆草和湿润栽培为0．89和1．00mg·kg^-1,分别比籼稻的0．63和0．30mg·kg^-1增加0．26和0．70mg·kg^-1;梗稻根表铁膜Cd和根Cd含量在4种栽培方式中平均为15．23和73．68mg·kg^-1,分别比籼稻的3．46和52．38mg·kg^-1增加11．77和21．30mg·kg^-1收获时。根表铁膜Fe含量淹水栽培的籼稻为1．21mg·g^-1,比梗稻的0．65mg·g^-1增加0．56mg·g^-1,覆草栽培的梗稻为0．94mg·g^-1,比籼稻0．55mg·g^-1增加0．39mg·g^-1;根表铁膜Cd含量湿润栽培的梗稻为7．96mg·kg^-1,比籼稻的5．09mg·kg^-1增加2．87mg·kg^-1;根Cd含量梗稻在4种栽培方式中平均为54．53mg·kg^-1,比籼稻的35．91mg·kg^-1增加18．62mg·kg^-1。     

东北山地灌木沼泽植物铜、锌分布特征及季节动态

研究了东北山地灌木沼泽主要植物--细叶沼柳、五蕊柳、丛苔草和修氏苔草中Cu、Zn分布、积累及其季节动态.结果表明:Cu含量变动范围为6～12 mg·kg-1,细叶沼柳和五蕊柳各器官Cu含量为根》枝》叶;丛苔草和修氏苔草为茎》叶》根,Cu主要积累在灌木的根系和苔草的茎叶中,灌木和苔草中Cu含量相差较小.Zn含量变动在30～250 mg·kg-1之间,细叶沼柳和五蕊柳各器官Zn含量为叶》枝》根,尤其是叶和枝中都在150 mg·kg-1以上;丛苔草和修氏苔草各器官Zn含量为根》茎》叶.Zn多积累在灌木的叶和苔草的根中,且灌木各器官Zn含量明显高于苔草.细叶沼柳和五蕊柳各器官对Zn的富集系数均大于1.45,显示出较强的Zn富集能力.4种供试植物在生长初期地上部分Cu、Zn含量较高,且随着季节变化呈波动式降低趋势,而根中则表现出生长初期和末期Cu、Zn含量较高的特点.     

两种羟基苯乙酸对大豆萌发的化感效应研究

通过田间和室内试验相结合,利用高效液相色谱检测大豆根际土境和残茬腐解液中的对羟基苯乙酸和间羟基苯乙酸的含量;在培养皿内研究两种酚酸对大豆生长抑制效应;研究了二者对大豆DNA熔点(Tm)的影响,并采用SDS—PAGE方法研究二者对根系蛋白合成的影响．结果表明,在大豆根际土境和残茬腐解液中检测到对羟基苯乙酸;两种羟基苯乙酸处理后,大豆例根效和主根长均显著减少,表现出明显的化感抑制效应,间羟基苯乙酸的抑制效应更明显;两种羟基苯乙酸使大豆DNA的熔点(Tm)下降,一些小分子蛋白的合成受到影响,从而抑制大豆生长,表现出典型的化感效应。     

Remobilization of cadmium in maturing shoots of near isogenic lines of durum wheat that differ in grain cadmium accumulation.

Cadmium accumulation in grain of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum) represents a concern to consumers. In an effort to understand the regulation of Cd accumulation in maturing grain, the remobilization of 109Cd applied to stem and flag leaves was examined in two near-isogenic lines that differ in grain Cd accumulation. Absorbed 109Cd was primarily retained in the labelling flap (50-54% and 65-80% for stem and flag leaves, respectively). Cadmium exported from the stem flap initially (3 d) accumulated in the stem in a declining gradient towards the head. Subsequent remobilization of Cd deposited in the stem was associated with Cd accumulation in the grain. Cadmium exported from the flag leaf flap was primarily directed to the grain. Little (<1%) Cd accumulated in the glumes or rachis, and transport of Cd to shoot tissues below the flag leaf node was low (<1%). On average, 9% and 17% of absorbed 109Cd accumulated in the grain 14 d after labelling the stem and flag leaf, respectively. Irrespective of labelling position, the low Cd-accumulating isoline averaged 1.5-2-fold lower Cd accumulation per grain and Cd concentration in the grain than the high Cd-accumulating isoline. Cadmium accumulation in the grain was inversely correlated with Cd retention in the stem (stem labelled) and labelling flap (flag leaf labelled) for both isolines. Cadmium translocation to the grain was not inhibited by Zn when both were applied simultaneously (50 pM 109Cd; 0.5 microM 65Zn) to the flag leaf. These results show that elevated remobilization of Cd from the leaves and stem to the maturing grain may be partially responsible for the high accumulation of Cd in durum wheat grain.     

Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) depends on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi for growth and P uptake at intermediate but not high soil P levels in the field

The contribution of indigenous arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) to growth and phosphorus (P) uptake by oilseed flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) was examined in two field experiments covering soil P levels from 20–86 mg kg-1 NaHCO3-extractable P. The fumigant dazomet was applied to the soil in half of the plots to obtain control plants with reduced mycorrhiza formation. An extensive AMF colonization of up to 48% of the root length was established in untreated soil of both experiments, although P fertilization reduced colonization to 28–39% at the latest harvests. Fumigation markedly decreased or totally prevented AMF colonization throughout the experiments. Root growth responded to fumigation by increased total and specific root length. Shoot P uptake was decreased by fumigation at soil P levels lower than ca. 50 mg kg-1 whereas shoot growth was reduced by fumigation at soil P levels lower than ca. 40 mg kg-1. The effects of fumigation were ascribed to the suppression of mycorrhiza formation. The effect of the AMF increased with decreasing soil P levels. Phosphorus inflow through roots (based on shoot P uptake) was reduced more strongly by fumigation than total P uptake. The P inflow through fungal tissue in roots was estimated to 4 × 10-14 mol P cm-1 s-1. We conclude that AMF are essential to flax growth at soil P levels below ca. 40 mg P kg-1, which is representative of the conditions under which most flax is grown.     

Effect of Phosphorus Deficiency on Carbohydrate Metabolism of Mentha arvensis

The effects of phosphorus deficiency on carbohydrate fractions of Mentha arvensis L. var. piperascens were studied. Mint plants were grown in sand cultures under full nutrition and phosphorus deficiency conditions. Component organs, viz., leaf, stem and root, were sampled at four different stages of the growth cycle and analysed for various sugar fractions. In leaf and root phosphorus deficiency brought about a definite increase in all sugar fractions whereas in stem a reduction was noticed. The stem appeared to be the principal storage organ throughout the growth. Maximum sugar concentration was recorded at the age of 70 days, which represents the full maturity stage, and coincided with maximum essential oil accumulation.     

Comparison of urinary creatine with other biomarkers for detection of cadmium induced testicular damage

In this study, biomarkers of testicular damage were compared. In particular, urinary creatine was evaluated as a non-invasive marker of damage. Male rats were exposed to various doses of cadmium chloride, an established testicular toxicant. Pathological damage, testes weights, urinary creatine and creatinine, serum LDH-C4 and serum testosterone were determined. Cadmium chloride caused dose-dependent damage to the testes undetectable at the lowest dose (0.75 mg kg-1) but apparent at a dose of 1.125 mg kg-1. Urinary creatine was significantly raised after doses of 1.125 mg kg-1 and above 24-48 hr after dosing, and at the highest dose within 24 hr after dosing. Testes weight and serum testosterone were significantly decreased, and LDH-C4 significantly increased, at the highest dose (3.0 mg kg-l). Therefore urinary creatine was the most sensitive marker of acute cadmium-induced testicular damage and dysfunction.     

Bioaccumulation in Miscanthus sacchariflorus grown on cadmium-contaminated sediments: a comparative study between submerged and non-submerged environments

Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in aquatic plants is significantly affected by hydrological regime and therefore the accumulation and translocation of cadmium in five organs—panicle, leaf, stem, root, and bud—of an emergent plant (Miscanthus sacchariflorus) were compared between the submerged environment and non-submerged environment. In the submerged condition, the cadmium concentration was higher in the panicle and leaf than in the stem, root, and bud. Cadmium concentration in the root exhibited a positive regression with cadmium concentration in the sediment. However, cadmium concentration in the panicle, leaf, stem, and bud exhibited no significant regression with cadmium concentration in the sediment. In the non-submerged environment, the cadmium concentration was higher in the below-ground organs than in the aboveground organs. The mean bioaccumulation coefficient in the 24 investigated plots in the submerged environment was higher than that in the 20 and 40?mg kg^?1 cadmium treatments in the non-submerged environment. The mean translocation factor in the submerged environment was nine times higher than that in non-submerged environment. These results indicate that submergence enhanced cadmium bioaccumulation in the aboveground organs and that this plant can be used to remove heavy metals from polluted rivers and lakes.     

Comparison of urinary creatine with other biomarkers for detection of cadmium induced testicular damage

In this study, biomarkers of testicular damage were compared. In particular, urinary creatine was evaluated as a non-invasive marker of damage. Male rats were exposed to various doses of cadmium chloride, an established testicular toxicant. Pathological damage, testes weights, urinary creatine and creatinine, serum LDH-C4 and serum testosterone were determined. Cadmium chloride caused dose-dependent damage to the testes undetectable at the lowest dose (0.75 mg kg-1) but apparent at a dose of 1.125 mg kg-1. Urinary creatine was significantly raised after doses of 1.125 mg kg-1 and above 24-48 hr after dosing, and at the highest dose within 24 hr after dosing. Testes weight and serum testosterone were significantly decreased, and LDH-C4 significantly increased, at the highest dose (3.0 mg kg-l). Therefore urinary creatine was the most sensitive marker of acute cadmium-induced testicular damage and dysfunction.