Heavy-metal stress and developmental patterns of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

The rate of global deposition of Cd, Pb, and Zn has decreased over the past few decades, but heavy metals already in the soil may be mobilized by local and global changes in soil conditions and exert toxic effects on soil microorganisms. We examined in vitro effects of Cd, Pb, and Zn on critical life stages in metal-sensitive ecotypes of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, including spore germination, presymbiotic hyphal extension, presymbiotic sporulation, symbiotic extraradical mycelium expansion, and symbiotic sporulation. Despite long-term culturing under the same low-metal conditions, two species, Glomus etunicatum and Glomus intraradices, had different levels of sensitivity to metal stress. G. etunicatum was more sensitive to all three metals than was G. intraradices. A unique response of increased presymbiotic hyphal extension occurred in G. intraradices exposed to Cd and Pb. Presymbiotic hyphae of G. intraradices formed presymbiotic spores, whose initiation was more affected by heavy metals than was presymbiotic hyphal extension. In G. intraradices grown in compartmentalized habitats with only a portion of the extraradical mycelium exposed to metal stress, inhibitory effects of elevated metal concentrations on symbiotic mycelial expansion and symbiotic sporulation were limited to the metal-enriched compartment. Symbiotic sporulation was more sensitive to metal exposure than symbiotic mycelium expansion. Patterns exhibited by G. intraradices spore germination, presymbiotic hyphal extension, symbiotic extraradical mycelium expansion, and sporulation under elevated metal concentrations suggest that AM fungi may be able to survive in heavy metal-contaminated environments by using a metal avoidance strategy.     

Heavy-Metal Stress and Developmental Patterns of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi

The rate of global deposition of Cd, Pb, and Zn has decreased over the past few decades, but heavy metals already in the soil may be mobilized by local and global changes in soil conditions and exert toxic effects on soil microorganisms. We examined in vitro effects of Cd, Pb, and Zn on critical life stages in metal-sensitive ecotypes of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, including spore germination, presymbiotic hyphal extension, presymbiotic sporulation, symbiotic extraradical mycelium expansion, and symbiotic sporulation. Despite long-term culturing under the same low-metal conditions, two species, Glomus etunicatum and Glomus intraradices, had different levels of sensitivity to metal stress. G. etunicatum was more sensitive to all three metals than was G. intraradices. A unique response of increased presymbiotic hyphal extension occurred in G. intraradices exposed to Cd and Pb. Presymbiotic hyphae of G. intraradices formed presymbiotic spores, whose initiation was more affected by heavy metals than was presymbiotic hyphal extension. In G. intraradices grown in compartmentalized habitats with only a portion of the extraradical mycelium exposed to metal stress, inhibitory effects of elevated metal concentrations on symbiotic mycelial expansion and symbiotic sporulation were limited to the metal-enriched compartment. Symbiotic sporulation was more sensitive to metal exposure than symbiotic mycelium expansion. Patterns exhibited by G. intraradices spore germination, presymbiotic hyphal extension, symbiotic extraradical mycelium expansion, and sporulation under elevated metal concentrations suggest that AM fungi may be able to survive in heavy metal-contaminated environments by using a metal avoidance strategy.     

Identification of heavy metal-induced genes encoding glutathione S-transferases in the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus intraradices

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are able to alleviate the stress for plants caused by heavy metal contamination of soil. To analyze the molecular response of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi to these pollutants, a subtractive cDNA library was constructed using RNA from Glomus intraradices extraradical hyphae of a root organ culture treated with a mixture of Cd, Zn, and Cu. Screening by reverse Northern blot analysis indicated that, among 308 clones, 17% correspond to genes up-regulated by heavy metals. Sequence analysis of part of the clones resulted, amongst others, in the identification of six genes putatively coding for glutathione S-transferases belonging to two different classes of these enzymes. Expression analyses indicated that the genes are differentially expressed during fungal development and that their RNA accumulation dramatically increases in extraradical hyphae grown in a heavy metal-containing solution.     

Survival strategies of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in Cu-polluted environments

This review provides an overview of the mechanisms evolved by arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi to survive in Cu-contaminated environments. These mechanisms include avoidance strategies to restrict entry of toxic levels of Cu into their cytoplasm, intracellular complexation of the metal in the cytosol and compartmentalization strategies. Through the activity of specific metal transporters, the excess of Cu is translocated to subcellular compartments, mainly vacuoles, where it would cause less damage. At the level of the fungal colony, AM fungi have also evolved compartmentalization strategies based on the accumulation of Cu into specific fungal structures, such as extraradical spores and intraradical vesicles. In addition to the avoidance and compartmentalization strategies, AM fungi have also mechanisms to combat the Cu-generated oxidative stress or to repair the damage induced.     

Litter N retention over winter for a low and a high phenolic species in the alpine tundra

Mycorrhizal fungus colonization of roots may modify plant metal acquisition and tolerance. In the present study, the contribution of the extraradical mycelium of an arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus, Glomus mosseae (BEG 107), to the uptake of metal cations (Cu, Zn, Cd and Ni) by cucumber (Cucumis sativus) plants was determined. The influence of the amount of P supplied to the hyphae on the acquisition and partitioning of metal cations in the mycorrhizal plants was also investigated. Pots with three compartments were used to separate root and root-free hyphal growing zones. The shoot concentration of Cd and Ni was decreased in mycorrhizal plants compared to non-mycorrhizal plants. In contrast, shoot Zn and Cu concentrations were increased in mycorrhizal plants. High P supply to hyphae resulted in decreased root Cu concentrations and shoot Cd and Ni concentrations in mycorrhizal plants. These results confirm that some elements required for plant growth (P, Zn, Cu) are taken up by mycorrhizal hyphae and are then transported to the plants. Conversely, Cd and Ni were transported in much smaller amounts by hyphae to the plant, so that arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus colonization could partly protect plants from toxic effects of these elements. Selective uptake and transport of plant essential elements over non-essential elements by AM hyphae, increased growth of mycorrhizal plants, and metal accumulation in the root may all contribute to the successful growth of mycorrhizal plants on metal-rich substrates. These effects are stimulated when hyphae can access sufficient P in soil.     

Heavy metal localisation in mycorrhizas ofEpipactis atrorubens (Hoffm.) Besser (Orchidaceae) from zinc mine tailings

Summary The metal distribution within mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal roots ofEpipactis atrorubens collected from zinc mine tailings and an area rich in heavy metal ores (both located in southern Poland) was investigated. The tailings, consisting of postflotation material, were characterised by high levels of toxic elements such as Zn, Pb, and Cd, while soil outside the tailings was also strongly enriched in heavy metals. Atomic absorption spectrometry and proton-induced X-ray emission analysis revealed that heavy metals were mostly accumulated within orchid roots. Elemental maps from proton-induced X-ray emission showed that plant root epidermis and fungal coils which had developed within cortical cells of roots collected from the zinc mine tailings were the main places of Zn and Pb accumulation, associated with increased concentrations of Fe, Cd, Ti, Mn, Si, Ca, and S. The mean content of Pb and Zn in the coils was 4 to 5 times higher than in the root epidermis. In mycorrhizal roots from the tailings a statistically significant decrease in Pb and Zn content towards the inside of the root was observed. The mean content of Pb in coils from roots of plants growing outside the tailings was about 1% of the concentration in root coils from the tailings. Coils selected from orchid roots originating from a site outside the tailings contained comparatively high concentrations of Zn, Cd, and Cu, which was probably due to the high content of these elements in the soil. The results presented suggest a biofiltering effect against heavy metals by orchid mycorrhizal fungi.     

Influence of joint application of heavy metals on level of each metal accumulated in the periwinkle Tympanotonus fuscatus (Gastropoda: Potamididae)

Most laboratory assessments of toxicity and bioaccumulation of heavy metals have been concentrated on the accumulation of these metal ions when exposed singly to the test organisms. However, under the natural environmental settings, the metals are never present in isolation and may interact with each other, therefore justifying the need to study the influence of joint application of metals on accumulated levels in exposed animals. In this study, exposure of the periwinkle Tympanotonus fuscatus to sublethal concentrations (equivalent to 0.1 and 0.01 of 96 h LC50) of heavy metals revealed that they were bioaccumulative varying amounts, depending on the type of metal, exposure period and concentration in the test media. While Zn and Pb ion accumulation increased steadily with exposure time, the amounts of Cu accumulated fluctuated regularly over the 30-day experimental period. The levels of Zn, Cu and Cd bioaccumulated over the 30-day experimental period were reduced by over 2-6 folds (with bioaccumulation ratio values ranging from 0.15 to 0.81) when compared to concentrations of the respective metals accumulated during single bioaccumulation studies. However, Pb concentrations accumulated during the joint action studies increased nearly 2-fold (bioaccumulation ratio range 1.36 to 2.0-fold).     

Extracellular complexation of Cd in the Hartig net and cytosolic Zn sequestration in the fungal mantle of Picea abies – Hebeloma crustuliniforme ectomycorrhizas

Compartmentation of heavy metals on or within mycorrhizal fungi may serve as a protective function for the roots of forest trees growing in soils containing elevated concentrations of metals such as Cd and Zn. In this paper we present the first quantitative measurements by X‐ray microanalysis of heavy metals in high‐pressure frozen and cryosectioned ectomycorrhizal fungal hyphae. We used this technique to analyse the main sites of Cd and Zn in fungal cells of mantle and Hartig net hyphae and in cortical root cells of symbiotic Picea abies – Hebeloma crustuliniforme associations to gain new insights into the mechanisms of detoxification of these two metals in Norway spruce seedlings. The mycorrhizal seedlings were exposed in growth pouches to either 1 mM Cd or 2 mM Zn for 5 weeks. The microanalytical data revealed that two distinct Cd‐ and Zn‐binding mechanisms are involved in cellular compartmentation of Cd and Zn in the mycobiont. Whereas extracellular complexation of Cd occurred predominantly in the Hartig net hyphae, both extracellular complexation and cytosolic sequestration of Zn occurred in the fungal tissue. The vacuoles were presumed not to be a significant pool for Cd and Zn storage. Cadmium was almost exclusively localized in the cell walls of the Hartig net (up to 161 mmol kg ^{? 1} DW) compared with significantly lower concentrations in the cell walls of mantle hyphae (22 mmol kg ^{? 1} DW) and in the cell walls of cortical cells (15 mmol kg ^{? 1} DW). This suggests that the apoplast of the Hartig net is a primary accumulation site for Cd. Zinc accumulated mainly in the cell walls of the mantle hyphae (111 mmol kg ^{? 1} DW), the Hartig net hyphae (130 mmol kg ^{? 1} DW) and the cortical cells (152 mmol kg ^{? 1} DW). In addition, Zn occurred in high concentrations in the cytoplasm of the fungal mantle hyphae (up to 164 mmol kg ^{? 1} DW) suggesting that both the cell walls and the cytoplasm of fungal tissue are the main accumulation sites for Zn in P. abies resulting in decreased Zn transfer from the fungus to the root.     

丛枝菌根真菌菌丝体吸附重金属的潜力及特征

应用玻璃珠分室培养系统获得丛枝菌根真菌材料,研究了离体真菌菌丝体对pH缓冲体系中Zn、Cd和Mn等金属离子的吸附特征。试验结果表明,真菌菌丝体对各金属离子吸附能力差异显著,对Cd最强,Zn次之,Mn最弱。试验条件下,菌体可分别吸附相当于自身干物重1.6%的Mn、2.8%的Zn和13.3%的Cdo吸附于菌丝体的Cd2+绝大部分可以被Ca2+交换吸附。另外研究了宿主植物根系对Cd的吸附作用,证实菌根真菌侵染改变了根系的吸附特性,相对于非菌根根系,菌根的CEC较高,对Cd的吸附能力较强。试验结果为重金属污染条件下丛枝菌根强化根系的屏障作用提供了直接证据。     

Arbuscular mycorrhizal contribution to heavy metal uptake by maize (Zea mays L.) in pot culture with contaminated soil

In two pot-culture experiments with maize in a silty loam (P2 soil) contaminated by atmospheric deposition from a metal smelter, root colonization with indigenous or introduced arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and their influence on plant metal uptake (Cd, Zn, Cu, Pb, Mn) were investigated. Soil was -irradiated for the nonmycorrhizal control. In experiment 1, nonirradiated soil provided the mycorrhizal treatment, whereas in experiment 2 the irradiated soil was inoculated with spores of a fungal culture from P2 soil or a laboratory reference culture, Glomus mosseae. Light intensity was considerably higher in experiment 2 and resulted in a fourfold higher shoot and tenfold higher root biomass. Under the conditions of experiment 1, biomass was significantly higher and Cd, Cu, Zn and Mn concentrations significantly lower in the mycorrhizal plants than in the nonmycorrhizal plants, suggesting a protection against metal toxicity. In contrast, in experiment 2, biomass did not differ between treatments and only Cu root concentration was decreased with G. mosseae-inoculated plants, whereas Cu shoot concentration was significantly increased with the indigenous P2 fungal culture. The latter achieved a significantly higher root colonization than G. mosseae (31.7 and 19.1%, respectively) suggesting its higher metal tolerance. Zn shoot concentration was higher in both mycorrhizal treatments and Pb concentrations, particularly in the roots, also tended to increase with mycorrhizal colonization. Cd concentrations were not altered between treatments. Cu and Zn, but not Pb and Cd root-shoot translocation increased with mycorrhizal colonization. The results show that the influence of AM on plant metal uptake depends on plant growth conditions, on the fungal partner and on the metal, and cannot be generalized. It is suggested that metal-tolerant mycorrhizal inoculants might be considered for soil reclamation, since under adverse conditions AM may be more important for plant metal resistance. Under the optimized conditions of normal agricultural practice, however, AM colonization even may increase plant metal absorption from polluted soils.     

黄河口盐地碱蓬湿地土壤-植物系统重金属污染评价

以黄河口盐地碱蓬湿地为例,评价了淹水和非淹水区湿地表层土壤As、Cd、Cu、Cr、Pb和Zn 6种重金属的污染程度及其在土壤-植物系统中的迁移、富集特征,分析了不同积水深度和土壤理化性质对研究区土壤重金属含量的影响.研究结果表明,与土壤或沉积物质量标准相比,黄河口盐地碱蓬湿地土壤受As和Cd污染最严重,而其它重金属污染较轻;非淹水土壤Cd、Cr和Zn含量高于淹水湿地,而As、Cu和Pb则较低;而且淹水土壤As含量随积水深度增加而呈下降趋势,但积水深度对其他重金属含量的影响不明显.相关性分析结果表明,按照受土壤关键影响因子的不同重金属(除As外)可以分为两类:第一类为Cd、Cr和Zn,这些重金属含量受土壤pH值和盐分影响较大,且相互间存在显著正相关关系,表明它们可能有相同的来源;第二类为Pb和Cu,它们受土壤pH值、盐分和有机质的影响,且Pb和Cu之间存在显著正相关关系.除Cr、Cu和Zn外,重金属在盐地碱蓬的根系内一般不发生显著富集,但绝大多数重金属都表现出地上部分的含量比根系更高的现象.     

EFFECTS OF INOCULATION WITH ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI ON MAIZE GROWN IN MULTI-METAL CONTAMINATED SOILS

Pot culture experiments were established to determine the effects of colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) (Glomus mosseae and G. sp) on maize (Zea mays L.) grown in Pb, Zn, and Cd complex contaminated soils. AMF and non-AMF inoculated maize were grown in sterilized substrates and subjected to different soil heavy metal (Pb, Zn, Cd) concentrations. The root and shoot biomasses of inoculated maize were significantly higher than those of non-inoculated maize. Pb, Zn, and Cd concentrations in roots were significantly higher than those in shoots in both the inoculated and non-inoculated maize, indicating the heavy metals mostly accumulated in the roots of maize. The translocation rates of Pb, Zn, and Cd from roots to shoots were not significantly difference between inoculated and non-inoculated maize. However, at high soil heavy metal concentrations, Pb, Zn, and Cd in the shoots and Pb in the roots of inoculated maize were significantly reduced by about 50% compared to the non-inoculated maize. These results indicated that AMF could promote maize growth and decrease the uptake of these heavy metals at higher soil concentrations, thus protecting their hosts from the toxicity of heavy metals in Pb, Zn, and Cd complex contaminated soils.     

Effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal inoculation on heavy metal accumulation of maize grown in a naturally contaminated soil

A pot culture experiment was carried out to study heavy metal (HM) phytoaccumulation from soil contaminated with Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd by maize (Zea mays L.) inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi (AMF). Two AM fungal inocula--MI containing only one AM fungal strain (Glomus caledonium 90036) and MII consisting of Gigaspora margarita ZJ37, Gigaspora decipens ZJ38, Scutellospora gilmori ZJ39, Acaulospora spp., and Glomus spp.--were applied to the soil under unsterilized conditions. The control received no mycorrhizal inoculation. The maize plants were harvested after 10 wk of growth. MI-treated plants had higher mycorrhizal colonization than MII-treated plants. Both MI and MII increased P concentrations in roots, but not in shoots. Neither MI nor MII had significant effects on shoot or root dry weight (DW). Compared with the control, shoot Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd concentrations were decreased by MI but increased by MII. Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd uptake into shoots and roots all increased in MII-treated plants, while in MI-treated plants Cu, Zn, and Pb uptake into shoots and Cd uptake into roots decreased but Cu, Zn, and Pb uptake into roots and Cd into shoots increased. MII was more effective than MI in promoting HM extraction efficiencies. The results indicate that MII can benefit HMphytoextraction and, therefore, show potential in the phytoremediation of HM-contaminated soils.     

Silicon and heavy metal tolerance of higher plants

The heavy metal tolerant Cardaminopsis halleri, grown on Zn and Cu polluted soil, showed electron dense metal containing precipitates (Zn, Cu, Sn, Fe, Al) on the leaf surface, in the intercellular spaces (Zn, Cu, Sn), the cell walls and the cell wall thickenings of the xylem vessels (Zn, traces of Cu and Fe). Large amounts of Zn were measured in the vacuoles, the main storage compartment for this metal in Cardarminopsis. The cytoplasm and nuclei contained small precipitates, including mainly Zn and Si. As shown by ESI Zn was co-localized with Si in these structures. The EEL-spectra of the cytoplasmic precipitates corresponded with the spectra of Zn-silicate. Besides Zn-silicate, electron translucent structures in the cytoplasm were identified as SiO2 by their EEL spectra. It was concluded that in the cytoplasm of Cardaminopsis Zn is transiently accumulated as silicate, being slowly degraded to SiO2. Zn is translocated into the vacuole and accumulated in an unknown form. A second Si and Zn-uptake mechanism was found, excluding a membrane and cytoplasm passage. Pinocytotic vesicles, formed by the plasmamembrane and the tonoplast, enable a direct translocation of Si and Zn from extracellular compartments into the vacuole. The formation of Zn-silicate is part of the heavy metal tolerance mechanism and may be responsible for the amelioration of the Zn toxicity in Cardaminopsis.     

菌根植物根际环境对污染土壤中Cu、Zn、Pb、Cd形态的影响

采用根垫法和连续形态分析技术,分析了生长在污灌土壤中菌根小麦和无菌根小麦根际Ｃｕ、Ｚｎ、Ｐｂ、Ｃｄ的形态分布和变化趋势。结果表明,下对照土壤相比,菌根际土壤中交换态Ｃｕ含量显著增加,交换态Ｃｄ呈减少的趋势;与非菌根际相比,Ｃｕ、Ｚｎ、Ｐｂ的有机结合态在菌根根际中显著增加,而４种测定金属２的碳酸盐态和铁锰氧化态都没有显著改变,该结果表明,植物根系能影响根际中金属形态的变化,且菌根比无菌根的影响程度大     

Metal accumulation and metallothionein in brown trout, Salmo trutta, from two Norwegian rivers differently contaminated with Cd, Cu and Zn

In this work we have studied the accumulation of heavy metals in two brown trout (Salmo trutta) populations in their natural environment and the participation of metal binding to metallothionein (MT) in this process. Cd, Cu and Zn concentrations, total MT (including Cu MT) and Cd/Zn MT were measured in the gills, liver and kidney of trout inhabiting two rivers, one Cu-contaminated and the other Cd/Zn-contaminated, located at Røros, Central Norway. In both populations, high levels of Cu were found in the liver, whereas Cd was accumulated in liver and particularly in the kidney. The proportions of Cd/Zn MT and Cu MT in liver and kidney, but not in gills, reflected the accumulated and the environmental concentrations of these metals. The total Cu MT concentrations in the investigated tissues, however, were highest in trout from the river with the lowest ambient Cu concentration. It is suggested that MTs are of less importance in Cu-acclimated trout. The data also suggest that acclimation to a Cu-rich environment involves reduced Cu accumulation or increased Cu elimination. In trout from the Cd-rich environment, this metal was mainly bound to MT, whereas in trout from the Cu-rich environment Cd was also associated with non-MT proteins. These findings emphasize the importance to determine both Cd/Zn MT and Cu MT levels, when the participation of this protein in metal handling in trout tissues is investigated.     

污染条件下VAM玉米元素积累和分布与根际重金属形态变化的关系

为了了解重金属Cu、Zn、Pb、Cd在土壤－根际－植物系统中的行为,揭示VAM植物减弱土壤中过量重金属对植物生理毒的抗性机理,采用原子吸收光谱测定Cu、Zn、Pb、Cd在污灌土壤中生长的VA菌根玉米和无菌根玉米中的积累和分布,并用连接形态分析技术分析了菌根际中Cu、Zn、Pb、Cd的形态分布和变化趋势,结果表明,Cu、Zn、Pb、Cd在菌根玉米中的积累量比非攻根中积累量分别减少10％、18％和29％,Cd积累量没有改变,生长7周后,菌根玉米是非菌根玉米生物量的1．5倍,与对照土壤相比,根际中除Cu交换态显著增加外,Zn、Pb、Cd各形态相对改变量显著大于非菌根,且菌根根际上中Cu、Zn、Pb有机结合态增加量显著大于非根际土,说明菌根际金属向稳定状态转移的程度显著大于非菌根际,同时,讨论了根际金属形态对金属有效性的影响,及其与菌根植物金属抗性机理的关系。     

Effects of heavy metals on nitrogen uptake by Paxillus involutus and mycorrhizal birch seedlings

The effects of the heavy metals Cu, Cd, Ni, Pb and Zn on [(14)C]methylamine and [(14)C]aminoisobutyric acid uptake were studied in the free-living fungus Paxillus involutus and in mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal birch roots. The uptake of both N sources by P. involutus was inhibited by the five metals tested. However, Cu(2+) and Pb(2+) had a greater inhibitory effect. Non-competitive inhibitions were determined between heavy metals and [(14)C]methylamine uptake. [(14)C]Methylamine uptake was reduced by one third by 2 μM Cd(2+) and Cu(2+) in non-mycorrhizal roots, whereas that of mycorrhizal roots was not affected. However, it was reduced by 30 to 80% by 200 μM Cd(2+) and Cu(2+) irrespective of the mycorrhizal status. [(14)C]Aminoisobutyric acid uptake in mycorrhizal roots was not significantly affected by Cd(2+) and Cu(2+), whereas that of non-mycorrhizal roots was decreased by 77% at 200 μM Cu(2+). [(14)C]Aminoisobutyric acid uptake was 4.5 to 6 fold higher in mycorrhizal roots, compared with non-mycorrhizal roots, even under metal exposure. The high efficiency of N acquisition by mycorrhizal birch seedlings under metal exposure might be regarded as a mechanism of stress avoidance.     

珠江三角洲马尾松年轮重金属含量年代变化

采用树木年轮化学分析手段,探讨了肇庆鼎湖山(相对清洁区)和南海西樵山(污染区)马尾松(Pinus massonianaL.)不同时期木质部6种重金属(Cu、Zn、Ni、Cd、Cr和Pb)含量的年代变化。结果表明:西樵山马尾松林地表层土壤Cu、Zn、Cd和Pb含量均超过其在广东省表层土壤环境背景值,鼎湖山马尾松林地表层土壤除Cd外其余重金属含量在背景值范围内;鼎湖山和西樵山马尾松木质部中Cu、Zn、Cr和Pb含量均呈现从心材到边材上升的分布格局,反映了珠江三角洲环境中可供植物利用的重金属在过去有了增加。Cu、Zn、Ni,特别是Cr和Pb的最大含量出现在1990年后形成的木质部中,两地环境(土壤和大气)中重金属含量增加是导致马尾松木质部重金属含量上升的主要原因;在相同时期形成的木质部中,西樵山马尾松木质部Cu、Cr和Pb的含量大于鼎湖山,Zn、Ni和Cd含量则小于鼎湖山,这与环境重金属含量差异有关,也与马尾松对不同重金属的富集能力有关。马尾松年轮化学分析的结果能够提供珠三角地区重金属的历史变化信息。