The effects of winter stress on Sphagnum species with contrasting macro- and microdistributions

Introduction. Sphagnum L. forms much of the ground cover in northern peatlands. Different species show affinities for bioclimatic regions in Europe (oceanic/continental; northern/southern) and species-specific tolerance of winter conditions can be a factor explaining their distribution.

Methods. We focussed on low temperature in a series of experiments and tested (1) the innate ability of a selection of Sphagnum species to tolerate low temperature in relation to their micro-topographic (wetness) and geographical (climate) distribution; (2) the rate of cold tolerance acquisition; and (3) the ability of species to survive a range of low temperature once cold hardened.

Key results. Our experiments showed that maximal PSII efficiency (F_v/F_m, chlorophyll fluorescence), growth rates and survival were all negatively affected by sub-zero temperatures. Environmental conditions associated with the onset of winter (colder nights and shorter days) triggered the acquisition of cold tolerance in Sphagnum.

Conclusions. The results were not unequivocal, but species associated with colder climates were generally more tolerant of sub-zero conditions. Species associated with the wettest and driest ends of the wetness gradient were more consistent in their responses than those in between, with wetter-dwelling species being less sensitive to sub-zero temperature than species found in drier microhabitats. Overall, our results suggest that adaptation to winter conditions contribute to the current distribution patterns of Sphagnum species.     

Analysis of the complete genome sequence of Brevibacterium frigoritolerans ZB201705 isolated from drought- and salt-stressed rhizosphere soil of maize

Purpose

To analyze the complete genome sequence of the Brevibacterium frigoritolerans ZB201705, a Brevibacterium strain was isolated from the maize rhizosphere in drought- and salt-stressed soil, and the activity of the strain under simulated drought and high salt conditions was assessed.

Methods

We used a combination of the PacBio RS and Illumina sequencing platforms to obtain the complete genome sequence of B. frigoritolerans ZB201705.

Results

The genome consists of 5,475,560 bp in a linear chromosome with no gaps, 4,391 protein-coding sequences, 39 ribosomal RNAs, and 81 transfer RNAs. The genome analysis revealed many putative gene clusters involved in defense mechanisms. In addition, an activity analysis of the strain under high-salt and simulated drought conditions helped clarify its potential tolerance to these abiotic stresses.

Conclusions

Our data revealed the complete genome sequence of the new isolated strain, and showed that it produces many proteins involved in drought and salt stress responses, suggesting that B. frigoritolerans ZB201705 may be a potential factor to increase crop yield under abiotic stresses. The information provided here on the genome of B. frigoritolerans ZB201705 provides valuable insight into rhizobacteria-mediated plant salt and drought tolerance and rhizobacteria-based solutions for agriculture under abiotic stress.

     

3株罗伊氏乳杆菌生物学特性的分析比较

【目的】对3株罗伊氏乳杆菌的生物学特性进行分析比较,为后期生产应用提供一定的参考。【方法】对实验室保藏的3株罗伊氏乳杆菌的生长曲线、pH曲线、耐受人工胃液能力、耐受猪胆盐能力、黏附能力、抑菌能力和对抗生素的耐药性等特性进行了分析比较。【结果】3株菌生长趋势大致相同;3株菌对人工胃液均具有良好的耐受性,且可以有效地抑制大肠杆菌和金黄色葡萄球菌的生长;菌株L0和L2对高胆盐的环境耐受性较差,菌株L1则对高胆盐环境具有极强的耐受性;菌株L1和L2具有很强的黏附能力;3株菌对20种抗生素表现出不同的耐受性。【结论】菌株L1的生物学特性明显优于其他两株菌株,有利于后期的生产应用。     

猪链球菌2型硫氧还蛋白还原酶介导细菌应激与致病作用

【背景】硫氧还蛋白还原酶（thioredoxin reductase,TRR）是硫氧还蛋白系统关键组成部分,对病原菌应对体内外氧化应激、调节细菌稳态和介导致病过程具有重要作用。【目的】探究硫氧还蛋白还原酶TRR在人畜共患猪链球菌2型感染过程中参与的生物学效应。【方法】同源重组法构建猪链球菌2型硫氧还蛋白还原酶trr基因缺失株（Δtrr）及回补株（cΔtrr）,通过细菌染色、点板计数、体外细胞和动物感染模型等试验比较分析trr基因对细菌形态、抗应激反应及致病过程的影响。【结果】缺失trr对猪链球菌2型形态与生长特性的影响不大,但可增强细菌抗热应激、氧化应激和酸应激能力,缺失株对上皮细胞黏附力下降,侵袭进入脑血管内皮细胞作用显著降低,易于被吞噬细胞吞噬清除,对小鼠模型致病效应显著减弱。【结论】猪链球菌2型TRR因子参与细菌应激反应,介导细菌黏附、侵袭等致病过程,是猪链球菌2型新的潜在毒力因子。     

一株可增强莱茵衣藻耐盐能力细菌MEZX29的分离与鉴定

【背景】水体中的藻类、细菌及这些微生物之间的相互作用对水体生态系统的功能有着重要作用。近年来,一些河流、湖泊等淡水资源的盐渍化不断加重,对水体生态系统造成严重影响。然而,高盐胁迫条件如何影响藻类与其他细菌的相互作用,以及是否存在能够促进藻类耐盐能力的有益细菌等问题尚未得到深入研究。【目的】分离和鉴定可以促进淡水藻类莱茵衣藻抗盐能力的细菌,并开展相关机制分析。【方法】通过富集培养、筛选和共接种实验,获得可以促进衣藻耐盐的细菌;基于活细胞浓度、叶绿素含量等参数评价衣藻在不同条件下的生长能力;对菌株进行16S rRNA基因序列分析和基因组分析,预测其可能的菌藻相互作用机制。【结果】获得一株在250-290 mmol/L NaCl条件下可以显著增强衣藻耐盐能力的菌株MEZX29,16S rRNA基因序列分析表明,该菌可能属于Rhodococcus qingshengii;基因组分析结果表明,该细菌含有参与糖代谢、乙烯合成、生物膜形成等途径的基因,这些基因可能在促进衣藻抗盐过程中起到重要作用。【结论】Rhodococcus qingshengiiMEZX29可以增强莱茵衣藻21gr抵抗高盐胁迫的能力,为研究藻类与其他微生物之间的有益相互作用提供了新的材料。     

草菇过氧化氢酶基因(VvCAT1)异源表达及耐温度胁迫功能分析

[背景] 过氧化氢酶（catalase,CAT）参与真菌的生长发育,逆境胁迫时保护真菌免受氧化损伤。[目的] 实现草菇过氧化氢酶基因（VvCAT1）的异源表达,分析VvCAT1耐温度胁迫的功能。[方法] 克隆VvCAT1,构建过表达载体pBAR GPE1/VvCAT1,转化到大肠杆菌（Escherichia coli）菌株Stbl3中,异源表达草菇过氧化氢酶。测定温度胁迫后重组菌（pBAR GPE1/VvCAT1/Stbl3）与对照菌（pBAR GPE1/Stbl3）的过氧化氢酶活性和生长情况,验证VvCAT1的功能。[结果] 重组菌的CAT酶活性显著提高,生长情况显著优于对照菌。[结论] VvCAT1的导入及表达显著提高了大肠杆菌Stbl3的耐温度胁迫功能。     

草菇热激蛋白60基因(Vvhsp60)生物信息学分析及低温下的表达

【背景】生物受到温度胁迫时,热激蛋白被诱导并在短时间内大量产生,可以使受损的蛋白质恢复正常构象,增强生物对逆境胁迫的耐受性。【目的】初步探究草菇热激蛋白60(Vvhsp60)与低温耐受性的关系,为深入开展草菇不耐低温特性的遗传改良奠定理论基础。【方法】对Vvhsp60进行生物信息学分析,以低温敏感型草菇菌株V23及耐低温菌株VH3为实验材料,利用实时荧光定量PCR技术分析低温胁迫及热激诱导后在低温下草菇菌丝体中Vvhsp60基因的表达水平。【结果】草菇Vvhsp60编码蛋白不存在信号肽,不属于分泌蛋白,在线粒体和细胞质内发挥生物学作用,属于双向跨膜蛋白。低温处理显著提高了V23与VH3菌丝体中Vvhsp60基因的表达量,而且VH3中的表达量显著高于V23,推测Vvhsp60基因的表达量高可能有助于增强草菇对低温胁迫的耐受性。经热激处理后两菌株Vvhsp60基因的表达量显著高于各自未热激处理的对照组,表明热激处理可诱导Vvhsp60基因的表达。【结论】Vvhsp60与草菇低温耐受性相关,并且热激可以诱导Vvhsp60基因的表达。     

分别利用产甘油假丝酵母抗逆转录因子CgSTB5和CgSEF1对酿酒酵母菌株糠醛耐受改造

【背景】纤维素是生物转化解决能源问题的主要原料之一,其水解物中存在严重影响抑制菌株生长的糠醛,需脱毒才可应用于发酵,提高菌株耐受性是解决纤维素水解液实际生产应用的关键。【目的】酿酒酵母(Saccharomyces cerevisiae)是主要的纤维素水解液发酵工业菌株,但糠醛耐受性较低,通过分子改造获得具有高糠醛耐受性的菌株。【方法】利用新获得的产甘油假丝酵母(Candidaglycerinogenes)的相关抗逆转录因子CgSTB5、CgSEF1和CgCAS5,通过分子技术进行S.cerevisiae改造,考察其对酿酒酵母糠醛耐受性的影响,并尝试应用于未脱毒纤维素乙醇发酵。【结果】单个表达CgSTB5和CgSEF1的酿酒酵母,通过菌株点板实验表明菌株的糠醛耐受性提高25%以上,并且摇瓶发酵结果显示糠醛降解性能明显提高,生长延滞期明显缩短,S.cerevisiae W303/p414-CgSTB5的未脱毒纤维素乙醇发酵生产效率提高12.5%左右。【结论】转录因子CgSTB5和CgSEF1均能对提高酿酒酵母糠醛耐受性起到重要作用,并且有助于提高酿酒酵母菌株未脱毒纤维素乙醇发酵性能。     

Physiological and morphological characterisation of Limonium species in their natural habitats: Insights into their abiotic stress responses

Background and aims

Morphological and biochemical traits of four halophytes of the genus Limonium were analysed in plants sampled from salt marshes in SE Spain. This work aimed to explore the mechanism(s) behind the adaptation of these species to stressful habitats, with particular emphasis on responses to drought.

Methods

Plants of each species together with soil samples were collected in summer, which is the most stressful season in the Mediterranean. Soil parameters and plant morphological traits were determined, and the levels of several biochemical stress markers in plants were measured using spectrophotometric assays. A multivariate analysis was performed to correlate soil and plant data.

Results

Morphological characteristics regarding the underground system topology and several biochemical traits (higher foliar Ca²⁺, sucrose and glucose, and lower proline, glycine-betaine and fructose) clearly separate L. santapolense individuals from plants of the other three species.

Conclusions

Drought tolerance of L. santapolense in the field is mostly dependent on morphological adaptations: when growing in an arid location, plants of this species develop long taproots that can extract water from the deep, moist layers of the soil.

     

Tolerance of Landoltia punctata to arsenate: an evaluation of the potential use in phytoremediation programs

Abstract

Plants used in phytoremediation should accumulate and tolerate a specific pollutant. Here, we aimed at evaluating a possible arsenic (As) accumulation and mechanisms of tolerance against As-induced damage in Landoltia punctata to explore this species for phytoremediation. Plants were subjected to increasing As levels. As absorption was higher with increasing As levels. The activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione reductase as well as anthocyanin levels increased with As levels. Catalase and peroxidase activities increased in plants subjected to As levels up to 1.0?mg L^?1 and decreased at higher levels. Due to the antioxidant system, higher levels of reactive oxygen species were restrained in plants under low levels of As. However, the levels of superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide, and lipid peroxidation increased in response to the impaired antioxidant system induced by the highest As levels. Biomass decreased in plants exposed to As and scanning electron microscopy revealed root structural damage in the root cap of plants under 3.0?mg L^?1?As. This work highlights that L. punctata can be considered a hyperaccumulator species and has potential for As phytoremediation when levels are lower than 1.0?mg L^?1—a concentration 100-fold higher than that recommended for drinking water.

Novelty Statement: Landoltia punctata can be considered a hyperaccumulator species and has the potential for arsenic phytoremediation when levels are lower than 1.0?mg L^?1.     

松萝内生酿酒酵母菌株耐酸生理特性与分子机制探究

【目的】对我国西藏地区来源的不同酵母菌株进行有机酸发酵性能测试,此外,对具有良好产酸性能的分离自松萝内部的酿酒酵母菌株Saccharomy cescerevisiae 2-2进行耐酸性能分析,并探究其耐酸较强的分子机制。【方法】比较不同糖浓度培养基液体发酵培养过程中pH的变化,并比较低pH胁迫条件下菌株的生长,检测酿酒酵母菌株的产酸潜力和耐酸特性;对菌株2-2和模式酵母菌株S288C进行比较基因组分析,并利用实时荧光定量聚合酶链式反应(real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction,RT-qPCR)分析关键基因的转录,探究菌株2-2耐酸分子机制。【结果】松萝内生酿酒酵母2-2在所有检测的菌株中产酸潜力较大,耐酸性能较好。在菌株2-2中与胁迫耐受性相关的基因PDR15、PDR12和SUR1在低pH胁迫条件下存在显著的上调或下调,但这些基因转录变化趋势与菌株S288C相反。【结论】松萝内生酿酒酵母2-2是一株产酸耐酸性能较好的菌株,对其独特的调节机制进行深入分析,有希望选育性能更好的产酸酵母菌株。     

单核细胞增多性李斯特菌硫氧还蛋白Lmo1609的应激生物学功能研究

【目的】本研究旨在构建单核细胞增多性李斯特菌(Listeria monocytogenes)硫氧还蛋白Lmo1609的基因缺失株,分析Lmo1609的氧化还原酶学活性,及其在细菌生长、运动过程中发挥的作用,并探究了Lmo1609参与细菌抗氧化应激和致病的生物学基础。为阐明其抗应激生物学作用以及完善李斯特菌的感染机制奠定分子基础。【方法】利用同源重组原理构建lmo1609基因缺失株及回补株。通过分子生物学、应激生物学和感染生物学等手段,对Lmo1609的生物学功能进行探索。以胰岛素为底物分析其氧化还原酶学活性;通过构建lmo1609缺失株和回补株,比较野生株和突变株在运动性、生长能力、抗氧化应激、细胞黏附、侵袭和增殖能力等方面的差异,进而鉴定Lmo1609的生物学功能。【结果】缺失lmo1609后,单增李斯特菌在生长能力上无明显变化,而运动能力明显减弱;对H2O2的敏感性增强;对细胞的黏附侵袭能力没有差异;对小鼠的致病力没有显著影响。【结论】本研究首次证实了单增李斯特菌硫氧还蛋白Lmo1609具有还原酶学活性,参与调控细菌的运动和对H2O2的氧化应激耐受,不介导单增李斯特菌的致病性。     

Insect responses to heat: physiological mechanisms,evolution and ecological implications in a warming world

Surviving changing climate conditions is particularly difficult for organisms such as insects that depend on environmental temperature to regulate their physiological functions. Insects are extremely threatened by global warming, since many do not have enough physiological tolerance even to survive continuous exposure to the current maximum temperatures experienced in their habitats. Here, we review literature on the physiological mechanisms that regulate responses to heat and provide heat tolerance in insects: (i) neuronal mechanisms to detect and respond to heat; (ii) metabolic responses to heat; (iii) thermoregulation; (iv) stress responses to tolerate heat; and (v) hormones that coordinate developmental and behavioural responses at warm temperatures. Our review shows that, apart from the stress response mediated by heat shock proteins, the physiological mechanisms of heat tolerance in insects remain poorly studied. Based on life‐history theory, we discuss the costs of heat tolerance and the potential evolutionary mechanisms driving insect adaptations to high temperatures. Some insects may deal with ongoing global warming by the joint action of phenotypic plasticity and genetic adaptation. Plastic responses are limited and may not be by themselves enough to withstand ongoing warming trends. Although the evidence is still scarce and deserves further research in different insect taxa, genetic adaptation to high temperatures may result from rapid evolution. Finally, we emphasize the importance of incorporating physiological information for modelling species distributions and ecological interactions under global warming scenarios. This review identifies several open questions to improve our understanding of how insects respond physiologically to heat and the evolutionary and ecological consequences of those responses. Further lines of research are suggested at the species, order and class levels, with experimental and analytical approaches such as artificial selection, quantitative genetics and comparative analyses.     

Comparative chlorine and temperature tolerance of the oyster crassostrea madrasensis: Implications for cooling system fouling

Crassostrea madrasensis is an important fouling oyster in tropical industrial cooling water systems. C. madrasensis individuals attach to surfaces by cementing one of their two valves to the substratum. Therefore, oyster fouling creates more problems than mussel fouling in the cooling conduits of power stations, because unlike the latter, the shell of the former remains attached to the substratum even after the death of the animal. However, there are no published reports on the tolerance of this species to chlorination and heat treatment. The mortality pattern and physiological behaviour (oxygen consumption and filtration rate) of three size groups (13 mm, 44 mm and 64 mm mean shell length) of C. madrasensis were studied at different residual chlorine concentrations (0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 2, 3 to 5 mg l^{m 1}) and temperatures (30°C to 45°C). The effect of shell size (=age) on C. madrasensis mortality in the presence of chlorine and taking into account temperature was significant, with the largest size group oysters showing highest resistance. At 1 mg l^{m 1} residual chlorine, the 13 mm and 64 mm size group oysters took 504 h (21 d) and 744 h (31 d), respectively to reach 100% mortality. At 39°C, the 13 mm size group oysters took 218 min to reach 100% mortality, whereas the 64 mm size group oysters took 325 min. The oxygen consumption and filtration rate of C. madrasensis showed progressive reduction with increasing residual chlorine concentrations. However, the filtration rate and oxygen consumption responses of C. madrasensis were not significantly different between 30°C (control) and 37.5°C. There was a sharp decrease in the filtration rate and oxygen consumption at 38.5°C. A comparison of the present mortality data with previous reports on other bivalves suggests that the chlorine tolerance of C. madrasensis lies in between that of Perna viridis and Perna perna, while its temperature tolerance is significantly higher than that of the other two bivalve species. However, in power station heat exchangers, where simultaneous chlorine and thermal stresses are existent, C. madrasensis may have an edge over other common foulants, because of its high temperature tolerance.     

Individual differences in sensitivity and tolerance to alcohol

Abstract

Human responses to alcohol—especially sensitivity and acute behavioral tolerance—are being studied within a behavioral genetic design involving comparisons of scores from monozygotic twins, dizygotic twins, nontwin siblings, and unrelated (adoptee) pairs reared in the same family from infancy. The planned genetic analyses must await completion of data collection. The present sample is, however, adequate for analyses of means and for some analyses of individual differences in responses. For most of the measures being used, we find the usual mean decrement in performance after alcohol dosing to 0.100 BAC, but individual differences in response to alcohol are large, and a few individuals actually improve in performance after dosing. Also, on two tests, Cancellation and Block Rotations, there is a significant mean improvement in performance immediately after dosing. As yet we do not have a satisfactory explanation for this phenomenon. On most but not all of the tests, performance improves after the initial decrement during a 3‐hour period in which blood alcohol levels are maintained by additional hourly doses. This improvement may be due in part to practice effects, as well as to the development of acute behavioral tolerance to ethanol (ABTE). We are still exploring ways in which these effects may be disentangled, using data from concurrent placebo control subjects and from pre‐dosing test sessions. It is already apparent, nevertheless, that most of the variability in sensitivity and ABTE is related to pre‐existing individual variability rather than to gender, age, height, weight, or drinking history. By mailing annual questionnaires to all participants, we hope to be able to test the hypothesis that those who were relatively insensitive to ethanol or who showed a relatively large amount of ABTE during the test sessions may be at increased risk for heavy alcohol consumption.     

Investigations of Hg(II) and Pb(II) tolerance,removal and bioaccumulation and their effects on antioxidant enzymes on thermophilic Exiguobacterium profundum

Abstract

Hg(II) and Pb(II) tolerance, removal, bioaccumulation and effects on antioxidant enzymes of thermophilic Exiguobacterium profundum were investigated. The results indicated that Hg(II) was more toxic than Pb(II) to E. profundum. E. profundum was also more tolerant in solid medium than in liquid medium for Pb(II) and Hg(II). The bacterial growth was not significantly influenced at 1.0 and 2.5?mg/L Pb(II) and Hg(II) for 24?h. The highest Hg(II) and Pb(II) bioaccumulation amounts were determined as 37.56 and 54.35?mg metal/dried bacteria, respectively. Bioaccumulation capacities of the cell membrane of E. profundum for Hg(II) and Pb(II) were determined. The different concentrations of Pb(II) and Hg(II) enhanced the SOD and CAT enzymes. In addition, variations of the surface macrostructure and the functionality of E. profundum after the interaction with Hg(II) and Pb(II) were investigated by the scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), respectively.

This investigation obviously showed that thermophilic E. profundum can also be applied for removal and recovery of toxic metals from industrial wastewater. Clearly, a further investigation should be utilized by thermophilic microorganisms. According to antioxidant enyzme activities, E. profundum can be also used as a bioindicator for the detection of toxic metal pollution in natural water samples.     

Expression of cold and drought regulatory protein (CcCDR) of pigeonpea imparts enhanced tolerance to major abiotic stresses in transgenic rice plants

Main conclusion

Transgenic rice expressing pigeonpea Cc CDR conferred high-level tolerance to different abiotic stresses. The multiple stress tolerance observed in CcCDR -transgenic lines is attributed to the modulation of ABA-dependent and-independent signalling-pathway genes.

Stable transgenic plants expressing Cajanus cajan cold and drought regulatory protein encoding gene (CcCDR), under the control of CaMV35S and rd29A promoters, have been generated in indica rice. Different transgenic lines of CcCDR, when subjected to drought, salt, and cold stresses, exhibited higher seed germination, seedling survival rates, shoot length, root length, and enhanced plant biomass when compared with the untransformed control plants. Furthermore, transgenic plants disclosed higher leaf chlorophyll content, proline, reducing sugars, SOD, and catalase activities, besides lower levels of MDA. Localization studies revealed that the CcCDR-GFP fusion protein was mainly present in the nucleus of transformed cells of rice. The CcCDR transgenics were found hypersensitive to abscisic acid (ABA) and showed reduced seed germination rates as compared to that of control plants. When the transgenic plants were exposed to drought and salt stresses at vegetative and reproductive stages, they revealed larger panicles and higher number of filled grains compared to the untransformed control plants. Under similar stress conditions, the expression levels of P5CS, bZIP, DREB, OsLEA3, and CIPK genes, involved in ABA-dependent and-independent signal transduction pathways, were found higher in the transgenic plants than the control plants. The overall results amply demonstrate that the transgenic rice expressing CcCDR bestows high-level tolerance to drought, salt, and cold stress conditions. Accordingly, the CcCDR might be deployed as a promising candidate gene for improving the multiple stress tolerance of diverse crop plants.

     

Identification of a metallothionein gene in honey bee Apis mellifera and its expression profile in response to Cd,Cu and Pb exposure

Metallothioneins are ubiquitous proteins important in metal homeostasis and detoxification. However, they have not previously been identified in honey bees or other Hymenoptera, where metallothioneins could be of ecophysiological and ecotoxicological significance. Better understanding of the molecular responses to stress induced by toxic metals could contribute to honey bee conservation. In addition, honey bee metallothionein could represent a biomarker for monitoring environmental quality. Here we identify and characterize a metallothionein gene in Apis mellifera (AmMT). AmMT is 1,680 bp long and encodes a 48 amino acids protein with 15 cysteines and no aromatic residues. A metal response element upstream of the start codon, coupled with numerous cis‐regulatory elements indicate the functional context of AmMT. Molecular modelling predicts several transition metal binding sites, and comparative phylogenetic analysis revealed five putative metallothionein proteins in three other hymenoptera species. AmMT was characterized by cloning the full‐length coding sequence of the putative metallothionein. Recombinant AmMT was found to increase metal tolerance upon overexpression in Escherichia coli supplemented with Cd, Cu or Pb. Finally, in laboratory tests on honey bees, gene expression profiles showed a dose‐dependant relationship between Cd, Cu and Pb concentrations present in food and AmMT expression, while field experiments showed induction of AmMT in bees from an industrial site compared to those from an urban area. These studies suggest that AmMT has metal binding properties in agreement with a possible role in metal homeostasis. Further functional and structural characterization of metallothionein in honey bees and other Hymenoptera are necessary.     

Effects of lead and cadmium on photosynthesis in Amaranthus spinosus and assessment of phytoremediation potential

Abstract

This study assessed the effects of Pb (0, 200, 500, 1000?mg kg^?1) and Cd (0, 5, 15, 30, 50?mg kg^?1) on photosynthesis in Amaranthus spinosus (A. spinosus), as well as the potential for phytoremediation by pot-culture experiment. Exposure to Pb/Cd produced a concentration-dependent decrease in biomass and all photosynthesis parameters, except for non-photochemical quenching, which increased with the metal concentration. The metals accumulated more in roots compared to shoots. The bioconcentration factor (BCF) of Pb was <1 in shoots at all Pb levels, whereas the BCF was <1 in roots at all but the lowest concentration of Pb. Roots extracted Cd from soil at all treatments. The translocation factor of Cd was larger than that of Pb suggesting that Cd is more mobile than Pb in A. spinosus. Amaranthus spinosus displays a high tolerance for both Pb and Cd with regards to growth and photochemical efficiency, but it is more sensitive to Cd than Pb. Amaranthus spinosus accumulates Pb and Cd primarily in the roots and Cd is more bioconcentrated and translocated in comparison to Pb. This investigation shows that A. spinosus has good potential for phytoremediation of soils contaminated by low levels of Cd and Pb.