Investigating heavy-metal hyperaccumulation using Thlaspi caerulescens as a model system

Background

Metal-hyperaccumulating plant species are plants that are endemic to metalliferous soils and are able to tolerate and accumulate metals in their above-ground tissues to very high concentrations. One such hyperaccumulator, Thlaspi caerulescens, has been widely studied for its remarkable properties to tolerate toxic levels of zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd) and sometimes nickel (Ni) in the soil, and accumulate these metals to very high levels in the shoot. The increased awareness regarding metal-hyperaccumulating plants by the plant biology community has helped spur interest in the possible use of plants to remove heavy metals from contaminated soils, a process known as phytoremediation. Hence, there has been a focus on understanding the mechanisms that metal-hyperaccumulator plant species such as Thlaspi caerulescens employ to absorb, detoxify and store metals in order to use this information to develop plants better suited for the phytoremediation of metal-contaminated soils.

Scope

In this review, an overview of the findings from recent research aimed at better understanding the physiological mechanisms of Thlaspi caerulescens heavy-metal hyperaccumulation as well as the underlying molecular and genetic determinants for this trait will be discussed. Progress has been made in understanding some of the fundamental Zn and Cd transport physiology in T. caerulescens. Furthermore, some interesting metal-related genes have been identified and characterized in this plant species, and regulation of the expression of some of these genes may be important for hyperaccumulation.

Conclusions

Thlaspi caerulescens is a fascinating and useful model system not only for studying metal hyperaccumulation, but also for better understanding micronutrient homeostasis and nutrition. Considerable future research is still needed to elucidate the molecular, genetic and physiological bases for the extreme metal tolerance and hyperaccumulation exhibited by plant species such as T. caerulescens.Key words: Zn, Cd, Ni, Thlaspi caerulescens, hyperacumulator, phytoremediation, heavy metal     

Effects of grazing intensity on soil carbon stocks following deforestation of a Hawaiian dry tropical forest

The effects of forest-to-pasture conversion on soil carbon (C) stocks depend on a combination of climatic and management factors, but factors that relate to grazing intensity are perhaps the least understood. To understand the long-term impact of grazing in converted pastures, methods are needed that accurately measure the impact of grazing on recent plant inputs to soil C in a variety of pasture management and climate settings. Here, we present an analysis from Hawai'i of changes in vegetation structure and soil organic carbon (SOC) along gradients of grazing intensity and elevation in pastures converted from dry tropical forest 100 years ago. We used hyperspectral remote sensing of photosynthetic vegetation, nonphotosynthetic vegetation (NPV) and exposed substrate to understand the effects of grazing on plant litter cover, thus, estimating recent plant inputs to soils (the NPV component). Forest-to-pasture conversion caused a shift from C3 to C4 plant physiology, thus the δ ¹³C method was used in soil cores to measure the fraction of SOC accumulated from pasture vegetation sources following land conversion. SOC decreased in pasture by 5–9 kg C m⁻², depending upon grazing intensity. SOC derived from C3 (forest) sources was constant across the grazing gradient, indicating that the observed variation in SOC was attributable to changes in C inputs following deforestation. Soil C stocks were also reduced in pastures relative to forest soils. We found that long-term grazing lowers SOC following Hawaiian forest-to-pasture conversion, and that these changes are larger in magnitude that those occurring with elevation (climate). Further we demonstrate a relationship between remotely sensed measurements of surface litter and field SOC measurements, allowing for regional analysis of pasture condition and C storage where limited field data are available.     

根系分泌物在重金属污染土壤生态修复中的作用机制研究进展

我国土壤重金属污染问题日益突出.作为一种绿色、安全的生物修复技术,植物修复技术备受关注.根系分泌物作为植物-土壤-微生物三者物质交换与信息传递的重要载体,是植物响应外界胁迫的重要生理生态指征,在植物修复过程中发挥关键作用.研究表明,根系分泌物能够有效调控根际微环境,提升植物抗逆能力,影响重金属在根际微域中的环境行为.传...     

利用遥感光谱法进行农田土壤水分遥感动态监测

自 1 997年 4月至 1 998年 1 0月 ,在甘肃省定西县进行了大面积 0～ 5 0 cm土层农田土壤水分按每 1 5 d本底资料实际观测 ,对此间收到的 5幅 TM与 7幅 NOAA卫片数据资料进行了加工处理 ,并对地面光谱资料也进行了观测。在光谱反演与光谱和土壤水分相关性分析基础上 ,利用遥感技术和地理信息系统 ,初步建立了典型试验区 ( 3× 3km2 )遥感信息与土壤含水量之间的遥感光谱相关监测模型 ,做出了观测区土壤水分含量分布图和得到了大面积农田土壤水分宏观动态监测结果 ,并同地面实测土壤水分进行了精度校正。研究结果表明 ,文中提出的“光学植被盖度”概念 ,对土壤水分遥感监测研究是有益的 ,利用遥感光谱法和数学统计方法求出了有关物理参数 ,初步建立了 TM与 NOAA光谱水分监测模型 ,其模型监测 0～2 0 cm土层含水量的精度达到 90 %以上 ,实际监测土壤水分精度达到 72 .3% ;在遥感监测 2 0～ 5 0 cm土层土壤含水量中 ,利用遥感模型监测土壤水分精度达到 80 %以上 ,实际遥感监测精度达到 60 %左右 ,其结果可有效指导干旱半干旱雨养农业区春耕时间和动态监测大面积土壤墒情 ,可为农业生产提供科学依据。另外 ,经地面大量观测表明 ,一般来说 ,当土壤含水量为田间最大持水量的 5 5 %～ 85 %时 ,从生长状况和经济     

光谱多样性在植物多样性监测与评估中的应用

光谱多样性是一种基于植物反射电磁辐射光谱的生物多样性维度, 反映了不同波段光谱反射率在植物种内与种间个体之间的变异程度。由于植物反射光谱特征的差异可以综合地反映植物间生化组分和形态特征的差异, 光谱多样性成为植物多样性监测和评估的重要技术手段。该文介绍了光谱多样性的概念及其生态学意义, 比对了多源、多平台光谱数据各自的技术优势和局限性, 并概述了基于光谱多样性的植物多样性监测和评估方法及其应用, 探讨了光谱多样性整合不同维度生物多样性的能力, 展望了光谱多样性在生物多样性研究中的发展前景。光谱多样性能在多空间尺度服务于植物多样性的监测与评估, 特别是依托基于无人机技术的近地面遥感, 可以实现精细尺度植物多样性的监测与评估, 在生物多样性的保护和管理中具有广阔的应用前景。     

Use of bacterial acc deaminase to increase oil (especially poly aromatic hydrocarbons) phytoremediation efficiency for maize (zea mays) seedlings

Oil presence in soil, as a stressor, reduces phytoremediation efficiency through an increase in the plant stress ethylene. Bacterial 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) deaminase, as a plant stress ethylene reducer, was employed to increase oil phytoremediation efficiency. For this purpose, the ability of ACC deaminase-producing Pseudomonas strains to grow in oil-polluted culture media and withstand various concentrations of oil and also their ability to reduce plant stress ethylene and enhance some growth characteristics of maize and finally their effects on increasing phytoremediation efficiency of poly aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soil were investigated. Based on the results, of tested strains just P9 and P12 were able to perform oil degradation. Increasing oil concentration from 0 to 10% augmented these two strains population, 15.7% and 12.9%, respectively. The maximum increase in maize growth was observed in presence of P12 strain. Results of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) revealed that PAHs phytoremediation efficiency was higher for inoculated seeds than uninoculated. The highest plant growth and PAHs removal percentage (74.9%) from oil-polluted soil was observed in maize inoculated with P12. These results indicate the significance of ACC deaminase producing bacteria in alleviation of plant stress ethylene in oil-polluted soils and increasing phytoremediation efficiency of such soils.     

Phytoremediation in Wetland Ecosystems: Progress,Problems, and Potential

Assessing the phytoremediation potential of wetlands is complex due to variable conditions of hydrology, soil/sediment types, plant species diversity, growing season, and water chemistry. Conclusions about long-term phytoremediation potential are further complicated by the process of ecological succession in wetlands. This review of wetlands phytoremediation addresses the role of wetland plants in reducing contaminant loads in water and sediments, including metals; volatile organic compounds (VOC), pesticides, and other organohalogens; TNT and other explosives; and petroleum hydrocarbons and additives. The review focuses on natural wetland conditions and does not attempt to review constructed wetland technologies. Physico-chemical properties of wetlands provide many positive attributes for remediating contaminants. The expansive rhizosphere of wetland herbaceous shrub and tree species provides an enriched culture zone for microbes involved in degradation. Redox conditions in most wetland soil/sediment zones enhance degradation pathways requiring reducing conditions. However, heterogeneity complicates generalizations within and between systems. Wetland phytoremediation studies have mainly involved laboratory microcosm and mesocosm technologies, with the exception of planted poplar communities. Fewer large-scale field studies have addressed remediation actions by natural wetland communities. Laboratory findings are encouraging with regards to phytoextraction and degradation by rhizosphere and plant tissue enzymes. However, the next phase in advancing the acceptance of phytoremediation as a regulatory alternative must demonstrate sustained contaminant removal by intact natural wetland ecosystems.     

接种泡囊假单胞菌对土壤生物性质及A. corsicum吸收Ni的影响

采用室内模拟试验方法,研究了在水稻土、元江土和墨江土中添加泡囊假单胞菌（Pseulormanas vesicularis）后土壤中微生物种群数量、土壤酶活性和镍超积累植物Alyssum corsicum对土壤镍的富集效果.土壤接种泡囊假单胞菌70d后,水稻土中DTPA提取态镍较对照土中的明显减少、元江土和墨江土中的有所减少;土壤中细菌、真菌和放线菌数量增加,5种土壤酶活性提高.试验结果表明,水稻土、元江土、墨江土添加泡囊假单菌后植物地上部生物量较对照分别增加了29%、309%和43%,进而提高了A.corsicum自土壤中富集镍的效率：水稻土中增加54%,元江土中增加306%,墨江土中增加32%.泡囊假单胞菌这一新用途的发现,可为植物修复微生物制剂和基因工程菌的开发提供本土的微生物的菌种资源.     

Modeling of phytoextraction efficiency of microbially stimulated Salix dasyclados L. in the soils with different speciation of heavy metals

Bioaugmentation of soils with selected microorganisms during phytoextraction can be the key solution for successful bioremediation and should be accurately calculated for different physicochemical soil properties and heavy metal availability to guarantee the universality of this method. Equally important is the development of an accurate prediction tool to manage phytoremediation process. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the role of three metallotolerant siderophore-producing Streptomyces sp. B1–B3 strains in the phytoremediation of heavy metals with the use of S. dasyclados L. growing in four metalliferrous soils as well as modeling the efficiency of this process based on physicochemical and microbiological properties of the soils using artificial neural network (ANN) analysis. The bacterial inoculation of plants significantly stimulated plant biomass and reduced oxidative stress. Moreover, the bacteria affected the speciation of heavy metals and finally their mobility, thereby enhancing the uptake and bioaccumulation of Zn, Cd, and Pb in the biomass. The best capacity for phytoextraction was noted for strain B1, which had the highest siderophore secretion ability. Finally, ANN model permitted to predict efficiency of phytoextraction based on both the physicochemical properties of the soils and the activity of the soil microbiota with high precision.     

Uptake and Bioaccumulation of Pentachlorophenol by Emergent Wetland Plant Phragmites australis (Common Reed) in Cadmium Co-contaminated Soil

Despite many studies on phytoremediation of soils contaminated with either heavy metals or organics, little information is available on the effectiveness of phytoremediation of co-occurring metal and organic pollutants especially by using wetland species. Phragmites australis is a common wetland plant and its potential for phytoremediation of cadmium pentachlorophenol (Cd-PCP) co-contaminated soil was investigated. A greenhouse study was executed to elucidate the effects of Cd (0, 10, and 20 mg kg^?1) without or with PCP (0, 50, and 250 mg kg^?1) on the growth of the wetland plant P. australis and its uptake, accumulation and removal of pollutant from soils. After 75 days, plant biomass was significantly influenced by interaction of Cd and PCP and the effect of Cd on plant growth being stronger than that of PCP. Coexistence of PCP at low level lessened Cd toxicity to plants, resulting in improved plant growth and increased Cd accumulation in plant tissues. The dissipation of PCP in soils was significantly influenced by interactions of Cd, PCP and plant presence or absence. As an evaluation of soil biological activities after remediation soil enzyme was measured.     

Vegetation of tuscan ultramafic soils in relation to edaphic and physical factors

Vegetation and soil sampling were carried out in 80 plots located in five different ultramafic (serpentine) sites of Tuscany, central Italy. The physical and chemical features of each plot were determined and the species composition and cover recorded. The exchangeable fraction of soil metals was analysed because it gives a measure of their concentrations available to plants. The plots were classified by cluster analysis and ANOVA was used to compare the environmental variables of the groups of plots. Canonical correspondence analysis was used to detect the principal factors for gradients of species composition within the plant communities. A higher content of exchangeable metals was found under the more evolved and structured plant communities, suggesting that serpentine vegetation of Tuscany is not strongly limited by soil metals, such as chromium, cobalt, nickel and magnesium, typically associated with ultramafic soils. The low nutrient content of the soils and drought stress mainly due to topographical features, appear to have a more significant role in determining the typical scattered vegetation of the Tuscan ultramafics.     

Role of soil microbes in the rhizospheres of plants growing on trace metal contaminated soils in phytoremediation

This article reviews recent developments in in situ bioremediation of trace metal contaminated soils, with particular reference to the microbial dynamics in the rhizospheres of plants growing on such soils and their significance in phytoremediation. In non-agricultural conditions, the natural role of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), P-solubilizing bacteria, mycorrhizal-helping bacteria (MHB) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in maintaining soil fertility is more important than in conventional agriculture, horticulture, and forestry where higher use of agrochemicals minimize their significance. These microbes initiate a concerted action when a particular population density is achieved, i.e. quorum sensing. AMF also recognize their host by signals released by host roots, allowing a functional symbiosis. AM fungi produce an insoluble glycoprotein, glomalin, which sequester trace elements and it should be considered for biostabilization leading to remediation of contaminated soils. Conclusions drawn from studies of metal uptake kinetics in solution cultures may not be valid for more complex field conditions and use of some combination of glasshouse and field experiments with organisms that occur within the same plant community is suggested. Phytoextraction strategies, such as inoculation of plants to be used for phytoremediation with appropriate heavy metal adapted rhizobial microflora, co-cropping system involving a non-mycorrhizal hyperaccumulator plant and a non-accumulator but mycorrhizal with appropriate AMF, or pre-cropping with mycotrophic crop systems to optimize phytoremediation processes, merit further field level investigations. There is also a need to improve our understanding of the mechanisms involved in transfer and mobilization of trace elements by rhizosphere microbiota and to conduct research on selection of microbial isolates from rhizosphere of plants growing on heavy metal contaminated soils for specific restoration programmes. This is necessary if we are to improve the chances of successful phytoremediation.     

How Plants Cope with Cadmium: Staking All on Metabolism and Gene Expression

Environmental pollullon is one of the major problems for human health. Toxic heavy metals are normally present as soil constituents or can also be spread out in the environment by human activity and agricultural techniques. Soil contamination by heavy metals as cadmium, highlights two main aspects: on one side they interfere with the life cycle of plants and therefore reduce crop yields, and on the other hand, once adsorbed and accumulated into the plant tissues, they enter the food chain poisoning animals and humans. Considering this point of view, understanding the mechanism by which plants handle heavy metal exposure, In particular cadmium stress, is a primary goal of plant-blotechnology research or plant breeders whose aim is to create plants that are able to recover high amounts of heavy metals, which can be used for phytoremediation, or identify crop varieties that do not accumulate toxic metal in grains or fruits. In this review we focus on the main symptoms of cadmium toxicity both on root apparatus and shoots. We elucidate the mechanisms that plants activate to prevent absorption or to detoxify toxic metal ions, such as synthesis of phytochelatins, metallothioneins and enzymes involved in stress response. Finally we consider new plant-biotechnology applications that can be applied for phytoremediation.     

Role of soil microbes in the rhizospheres of plants growing on trace metal contaminated soils in phytoremediation

This article reviews recent developments in in situ bioremediation of trace metal contaminated soils, with particular reference to the microbial dynamics in the rhizospheres of plants growing on such soils and their significance in phytoremediation. In non-agricultural conditions, the natural role of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), P-solubilizing bacteria, mycorrhizal-helping bacteria (MHB) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in maintaining soil fertility is more important than in conventional agriculture, horticulture, and forestry where higher use of agrochemicals minimize their significance. These microbes initiate a concerted action when a particular population density is achieved, i.e. quorum sensing. AMF also recognize their host by signals released by host roots, allowing a functional symbiosis. AM fungi produce an insoluble glycoprotein, glomalin, which sequester trace elements and it should be considered for biostabilization leading to remediation of contaminated soils. Conclusions drawn from studies of metal uptake kinetics in solution cultures may not be valid for more complex field conditions and use of some combination of glasshouse and field experiments with organisms that occur within the same plant community is suggested. Phytoextraction strategies, such as inoculation of plants to be used for phytoremediation with appropriate heavy metal adapted rhizobial microflora, co-cropping system involving a non-mycorrhizal hyperaccumulator plant and a non-accumulator but mycorrhizal with appropriate AMF, or pre-cropping with mycotrophic crop systems to optimize phytoremediation processes, merit further field level investigations. There is also a need to improve our understanding of the mechanisms involved in transfer and mobilization of trace elements by rhizosphere microbiota and to conduct research on selection of microbial isolates from rhizosphere of plants growing on heavy metal contaminated soils for specific restoration programmes. This is necessary if we are to improve the chances of successful phytoremediation.     

How Plants Cope with Cadmium: Staking All on Metabolism and Gene Expression

Environmental pollullon is one of the major problems for human health. Toxic heavy metals are normally present as soil constituents or can also be spread out in the environment by human activity and agricultural techniques. Soil contamination by heavy metals as cadmium, highlights two main aspects: on one side they interfere with the life cycle of plants and therefore reduce crop yields, and on the other hand, once adsorbed and accumulated into the plant tissues, they enter the food chain poisoning animals and humans. Considering this point of view, understanding the mechanism by which plants handle heavy metal exposure, In particular cadmium stress, is a primary goal of plant-blotechnology research or plant breeders whose aim is to create plants that are able to recover high amounts of heavy metals, which can be used for phytoremediation, or identify crop varieties that do not accumulate toxic metal in grains or fruits. In this review we focus on the main symptoms of cadmium toxicity both on root apparatus and shoots. We elucidate the mechanisms that plants activate to prevent absorption or to detoxify toxic metal ions, such as synthesis of phytochelatins, metallothioneins and enzymes involved in stress response. Finally we consider new plant-biotechnology applications that can be applied for phytoremediation.     

Potential of Phytoremediation for Treatment of PAHs in Soil at MGP Sites

Phytoremediation is a natural, aesthetically pleasing, low-cost technology that employs plant-influenced microbial, chemical, and physical processes to remediate contaminated soils and waters. The Institute of Gas Technology (IGT) conducted a laboratory study to determine the potential of phytoremediation to remediate soils contaminated with polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The soils used for the study were collected from a former manufactured gas plant (MGP) site in Newark, NJ. Phytoremediation was assessed both as a primary remediation technology and as a final polishing step for soil treatment. The following three plant species were used for the 6-month laboratory study: alfalfa (Medicago sativa), switch grass (Panicum virgatum), and little bluestem grass (Schizachyrium scoparium). Using both alfalfa and switch grass for primary treatment of PAH-contaminated soil, a 57% reduction in total PAH concentration was observed after 6-months of treatment. Final polishing of that soil using alfalfa further reduced the total PAH concentration in that soil by 15%. Research is in progress with the objective of improving both the efficiency and the economics of phytoremediation for the cleanup of contaminated soils to environmentally acceptable endpoints at MGP sites.     

The potential of phytoremediation using hyperaccumulator plants: a case study at a lead-zinc mine site

Contamination with heavy metals is one of the most pressing threats to water and soil resources, as well as human health. Phytoremediation might potentially be used to remediate metal-contaminated sites. A major advance in the development of phytoremediation for heavy metal affected soils was the discovery of heavy metal hyperaccumulation in plants. This study applied several established criteria to identify hyperaccumulator plants. A case study was conducted at a mining area in the Hamedan province in the west central region of Iran. The results indicated that plant metal accumulation differed among species and plant parts. Plant species grown in substrata with elevated metal levels contained significantly higher metal levels. Using the most common criteria, Euphorbia macroclada and Centaurea virgata can be classified as hyperaccumulators of specific heavy metals measured in this study and they might potentially be used for the phytoremediation of contaminated soils.     

植物反射光谱对水分生理变化响应的研究进展

实时、无损伤地探测植物的水分及生理变化是高光谱遥感的深层次应用。由水分胁迫引发的植物一系列反射光谱响应体现了碳-氮-水耦合作用的结果。以往的研究大多集中于单一因素的响应, 而忽略了多因素交互作用。该文综述和分析了植物水分状况变化引起的直接和间接光谱响应机制, 包括植物水分含量、色素、养分状况、光合作用和叶绿素荧光指标的光谱响应及其内在的关联, 探讨了反射光谱在探测植物水分生理活动应用中的主要方法与最新技术, 并指出碳-氮-水多指标、多时空尺度的综合分析对于估测植被生产力及其对气候变化的响应具有重要意义。     

A review of plant spectral reflectance response to water physiological changes

Spectral reflectance is a new, real time and non-destructive hyperspectral remote sensing application to monitor plant water status and physiological changes. The spectral reflectance responses induced by water stress reflect the interaction and coupling of carbon, nitrogen and water cycles. A majority of previous studies focused on a specific structural or physiological effect on spectral reflectance with little attention on their interactions. This paper reviewed and synthesized the direct and indirect spectral responses caused by changes in plant water content, pigments, nutrient status, photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence indices and their internal association. This paper also discussed the common approaches and the new techniques in applying spectral reflectance for detecting water status and physiological activities in plants. This paper concluded that analysis of the spectral reflectance at multiple temporal or spatial scales might have a potential application in projecting vegetation productivities, particularly in the context of climate change.     

重金属污染土壤植物修复基本原理及强化措施探讨

阐述了植物修复的基本概念及主要作用方式 ,并从土壤中重金属存在形态 ,植物对重金属吸收、排泄和积累以及植物生物学特性与植物修复的关系等方面讨论了重金属污染土壤植物修复的基本原理及局限性和限制性因素 ,从超富集植物性能强化和技术强化两方面探讨了植物修复的强化措施 ,并指出与现代化农业技术相结合是植物修复重金属污染土壤大规模商业应用的一条捷径