Copper (II) accumulation and superoxide dismutase activity during growth of Aspergillus niger B-77

The influence of copper (II) ions on the growth, accumulation properties and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of a growing culture of Aspergillus niger B-77 were studied. Microbial growth, the level of copper (II) accumulation and SOD activity depended on the initial copper (II) concentration. Aspergillus niger is able to accumulate large amounts of copper (II) from the nutrient medium with 200 mg x l(-1) copper (II) ions without loosing its biological activities. Addition of copper (II) ions increased the SOD activity in the growing cell cultures. The changes in enzyme activity induced by heavy metal ions might be used as an indicator of intracellular oxy-intermediate generation in a cell culture growing under stress conditions.     

镉、铜和锌胁迫下黑藻活性氧的产生及抗氧化酶活性的变化研究

研究了不同Cd、Cu、Zn处理浓度对黑藻体内活性氧()产生及对抗氧化酶(SOD、POD、CAT)活性的分子毒理学效应以探讨高等水生植物抗氧化酶对重金属胁迫的反应。结果表明,三种重金属都不同程度地加快了产生速率;Cu使SOD、POD、CAT活性下降;Cd也都减弱了SOD和POD活性,而CAT活性在0.5—5mg/L处理浓度时增加;Zn对SOD活性也为抑制作用,当浓度为0.5—5mg/L时POD和CAT活性都上升。关联度分析发现Cd、Cu和Zn胁迫下黑藻起主要保护作用的分别为SOD、POD和CAT,而SOD最易受到影响。Cd、Cu处理下的叶绿素含量也都呈下降趋势,而0.5—5mg/L的Zn浓度刺激了叶绿素合成。所有Zn处理、0.5mg/L的Cu处理和0.5—1mg/L的Cd处理的叶绿素a/b值都大于对照值。除了Cu使可溶性蛋白含量减少外,0.5—5mg/L的Zn和0.5—1mg/L的Cd都使其含量增加。综合起来,Cu的毒性最强,其次为Cd,Zn最弱。致死阈浓度分别为:Cu:0.5—1mg/L;Cd:1—2mg/L;Zn:5—6mg/L。SOD是评价重金属对沉水植物毒性效应的灵敏指标。黑藻对水环境Cu污染反应敏感。       

Effects of Cadmium,Chromium and Lead on Growth,Metal Uptake and Antioxidative Capacity in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Typha angustifolia</Emphasis>

This study investigates the modulation of antioxidant defence system of Typha angustifolia after 30 days exposure of 1 mM chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), or lead (Pb). T. angustifolia showed high tolerance to heavy metal toxicity with no visual toxic symptom when exposed to metal stress, and Cd/Pb addition also increased plant height and biomass especially in Pb treatment. Along with increased Cr, Cd, and Pb uptake in metal treatments, there was enhanced uptake of plant nutrients including Ca and Fe, and Zn in Pb treatment. A significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activities were recorded in plants subjected to Cr, Cd, or Pb stress. Furthermore, Pb stress also improved catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities; whereas Cr stress depressed APX and GPX. The results indicate that enzymatic antioxidants and Ca/Fe uptake were important for heavy metal detoxification in T. angustifolia, stimulated antioxidative enzymes, and Ca, Fe, and Zn uptake could partially explain its hyper-Pb tolerance.     

锌、镉及其复合胁迫下白花泡桐幼苗的生理及富集特征

采用水培培养的试验方法,研究白花泡桐幼苗在锌 (Zn)、镉 (Cd) 单一及复合胁迫下的生理生化响应及对重金属的富集、转移特征变化。结果表明,单一及复合重金属胁迫下,白花泡桐的生物量、株高及过氧化物酶 (Peroxidase,POD) 活性均随处理浓度的增加而降低。在复合污染下,Zn、Cd在植株的株高及生物量上表现出拮抗作用。与对照比,单一胁迫下,随着Zn浓度的增加,白花泡桐叶绿素含量和过氧化氢酶 (Catalase,CAT) 活性先增加后减小,超氧化物歧化酶 (Superoxide dismutase,SOD) 活性升高,地上部丙二醛 (Malondialdehyde,MDA) 含量先减小后增加;随着Cd浓度的增加,叶绿素含量和过氧化氢酶 (CAT) 活性升高,超氧化物歧化酶 (SOD) 活性及地上部丙二醛 (MDA) 含量先增加后减小,复合胁迫下,则表现出更加复杂的生理响应。白花泡桐幼苗对Cd的富集部位集中在根部;对Zn的富集部位集中在地上部,且转移系数大于1.00;Zn的加入会促进重金属向地上部分的转移;白花泡桐具有对复合重金属污染地进行有效的生态恢复的潜力。     

Effect of mycorrhizal inoculations on heavy metal uptake and stress alleviation of Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. genotypes grown in cadmium and lead contaminated soils

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi on metal uptake, oxidative effects and antioxidant defence mechanisms under cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) stresses in Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. (pigeonpea). Treatments consisted of two concentrations each of Cd (25 and 50 mg/kg of soil) and Pb (500 and 800 mg/kg of soil) singly as well as in combination. Both metals induced oxidative damage through increased lipid peroxidation, electrolyte leakage and hydrogen peroxide levels, but Cd was found to be more toxic than Pb. Compared with the effects of Cd or Pb alone, the combination of Cd and Pb acted synergistically; however, Pb immobilisation in soil controlled the uptake of Cd in plants. There was a direct correlation between the type of genotype, heavy metal content and oxidative damage in concentration dependent manner. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POX) increased under stress. The toxicity symptoms of the metal stress were significantly higher in Sel-141-97 genotype when compared with Sel-85 N. The high ratio of glutathione to its oxidised form, glutathione disulfide (GSH/GSSG), could be restored by means of higher glutathione reductase (GR) activity and increased GSH synthesis in mycorrhizal stressed plants. AM inoculations with Glomus mosseae significantly arrested uptake of Cd and Pb into the root system and further translocation into the above ground parts and led to decreased lipid peroxidation and electrolyte leakage. Increased activities of SOD, CAT, POX as well as GR were observed in all mycorrhizal stressed plants.     

Cd2+胁迫条件下椭圆小球藻的生理应答

研究了一株高重金属抗性的椭圆小球藻在Cd2+胁迫下的生理变化,结果显示,在10-240μmol/L浓度的Cd2+胁迫下,随着金属离子浓度提高,叶绿素的总量减少,光合放氧受到抑制.Cd2+离子浓度的提高,导致了氧自由基的大大增加,同时脯氨酸、SOD(超氧化物歧化酶)以及POD(过氧化物酶)水平均大大提高.结果提示这些与消除自由基有关的代谢产物的积累,有利于细胞减少胁迫造成的损伤.CAT(过氧化氢酶)对Cd2+离子是敏感的,其活性与胁迫浓度呈负相关.       

Cadmium and lead interactive effects on oxidative stress and antioxidative responses in rice seedlings

Interactive effects of two heavy metal pollutants Cd and Pb in the growth medium were examined on their uptake, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), induction of oxidative stress and antioxidative defence responses in Indica rice (Oryza sativa L.) seedlings. When rice seedlings in sand culture were exposed to 150 μM Cd (NO₃)₂ or 600 μM Pb (CH₃COO)₂ individually or in combination for 8–16 days, a significant reduction in root/shoot length, fresh weight, relative water content, photosynthetic pigments and increased production of ROS (O₂˙^? and H₂O₂) was observed. Both Cd and Pb were readily taken up by rice roots and localisation of absorbed metals was greater in roots than in shoots. When present together in the growth medium, uptake of both the metals Cd and Pb declined by 25–40 %. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) imaging of leaf stomata revealed that Pb caused more distortion in the shape of guard cells than Cd. Dithizone staining of roots showed localisation of absorbed Cd on root hairs and epidermal cells. Both Cd and Pb caused increased lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation, decline in protein thiol and increase in non-protein thiol. The level of reduced forms of non-enzymic antioxidants glutathione (GSH) and ascorbate (AsA) and their redox ratios (GSH/AsA) declined, whereas the activities of antioxidative enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) increased in metal treated seedlings compared to controls. In-gel activity staining also revealed increased intensities of SOD and GPX isoforms with metal treatments. Catalase (CAT) activity increased during early days (8 days) of metal exposure and declined by 16 days. Results suggest that oxidative stress is an important component in expression of Cd and Pb toxicities in rice, though uptake of both metals gets reduced considerably when present together in the medium.     

Effects of Exogenous Spermidine on Antioxidant System Responses of Typha latifolia L. Under Cd2+ Stress

The effects of foliar spraying with spermidine (Spd), ranging in concentration from 0.25 to 0.50mmol/L, on the antioxidant system under Cd2 stress (range 0.1- 0.2 mmol/L Cd2 ) in Typha latifolia L.grown hydroponically were investigated in order to offer a referenced evidence for an understanding of the mechanism by which polyamines (PAs) relieve the damage to plants by heavy metal and improve the phytoremediation efficiency of heavy metal-contaminated water. The results showed that Cd2 stress inhydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents in both leaves and caudices. With theexception of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the leaves, an increase in the activities of catalase (CAT), guaiacol peroxidase (GPX), and glutathione reductase (GR) was observed in both leaves and caudices,SOD activity was increased in caudices, and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity was increased in leaves following Cd2 treatment. The reduced glutathione (GSH) content in both leaves and caudices and the reductive ascorbate content in leaves was obviously increased, which were prompted by the application of exogenous Spd. Spraying with Spd increased the activity of GR and APX in both leaves and caudices,whereas the activity of SOD, CAT, and GPX was increased only in caudices following spraying with Spd.with Spd. The decrease in MDA was more obvious following the application of 0.25 than 0.50 mmol/L Spd.It is supposed that exogenous Spd elevated the tolerance of T. latifolia under Cd2 stress primarily by increasing GR activity and the GSH level.     

Physiological responses and antioxidant enzyme changes in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sulla coronaria</Emphasis> inoculated by cadmium resistant bacteria

Plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) may help to reduce the toxicity of heavy metals on plants growing in polluted soils. In this work, Sulla coronaria inoculated with four Cd resistant bacteria (two Pseudomonas spp. and two Rhizobium sullae) were cultivated in hydroponic conditions treated by Cd; long time treatment 50 µM CdCl₂ for 30 days and short time treatment; 100 µM CdCl₂ for 7 days. Results showed that inoculation with Cd resistant PGPB enhanced plant biomass, thus shoot and root dry weights of control plants were enhanced by 148 and 35% respectively after 7 days. Co-inoculation of plants treated with 50 and 100 µM Cd increased plant biomasses as compared to Cd-treated and uninoculated plants. Cadmium treatment induced lipid peroxidation in plant tissues measured through MDA content in short 7 days 100 µM treatment. Antioxidant enzyme studies showed that inoculation of control plants enhanced APX, SOD and CAT activities after 30 days in shoots and SOD, APX, SOD, GPOX in roots. Application of 50 µM CdCl₂ stimulated all enzymes in shoots and decreased SOD and CAT activities in roots. Moreover, 100 µM of CdCl₂ increased SOD, APX, CAT and GPOX activities in shoots and increased significantly CAT activity in roots. Metal accumulation depended on Cd concentration, plant organ and time of treatment. Furthermore, the inoculation enhanced Cd uptake in roots by 20% in all treatments. The cultivation of this symbiosis in Cd contaminated soil or in heavy metal hydroponically treated medium, showed that inoculation improved plant biomass and increased Cd uptake especially in roots. Therefore, the present study established that co-inoculation of S. coronaria by a specific consortium of heavy metal resistant PGPB formed a symbiotic system useful for soil phytostabilization.     

The use of dialdehyde starch derivatives in the phytoremediation of soils contaminated with heavy metals

Products of the reaction between dialdehyde starch and Y-NH₂ compounds (e.g. semicarbazide or hydrazine) are effective ligands for metal ions. The usefulness of these derivatives was tested in the experiment, both in terms of the immobilization of heavy metal ions in soil and the potential application in phytoextraction processes. The experimental model comprised maize and the ions of such metals as: Zn(II), Pb(II), Cu(II), Cd(II), and Ni(II). The amount of maize yield, as well as heavy metal content and uptake by the aboveground parts and roots of maize, were studied during a three-year pot experiment. The results of the study indicate the significant impact of heavy metals on reduced yield and increased heavy metal content in maize. Soil-applied dialdehyde starch derivatives resulted in lower yields, particularly disemicarbazone (DASS), but in heavy metal-contaminated soils they largely limited the negative impact of these metals both on yielding and heavy metal content in plants, particularly dihydrazone (DASH). It was demonstrated that the application of dihydrazone (DASH) to a soil polluted with heavy metals boosted the uptake of Zn, Pb, Cu, and Cd from the soil, hence there is a possibility to use this compound in the phytoextraction of these metals from the soil. Decreased Ni uptake was also determined, hence the possibility of using this compound in the immobilization of this metal. The study showed that dialdehyde starch disemicarbazone was ineffective in the discussed processes.     

Comparative study of alleviating effects of GSH, Se and Zn under combined contamination of cadmium and chromium in rice (Oryza sativa)

A hydroponic experiment was conducted to study the ameliorative effects of separate or combined application of exogenous glutathione (GSH), selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) upon 20 μM cadmium (Cd) plus 20 μM chromium (Cr) heavy metal stress (HM) in rice seedlings. The results showed that HM caused a marked reduction in seedling height, chlorophyll content (SPAD) and biomass, and activities of catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) in leaves and H⁺-ATPase in roots/leaves, but elevated superoxide dismutase (SOD) and guaiacol peroxidase (POD) activities in leaves with elevated malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation both in leaves and roots over the control. The best mitigation effect was recorded in HM+GSH+Zn and HM+GSH (addition of GSH+Zn and GSH to HM solution), which greatly alleviated HM-induced growth inhibition and oxidative stress. Compared with HM alone, HM+GSH and HM+GSH+Zn markedly reduced Cr uptake and translocation but not affected Cd concentration; improved H⁺-ATPase activity and Fe, Zn, Mn uptake and translocation, and repressed MDA accumulation. Meanwhile exogenous GSH and GSH+Zn counteracted HM-induced response of antioxidant enzymes, via suppressing HM-induced dramatic increase of root/leaf SOD and leaf POD activities, and elevating stress-depressed leaf APX and leaf/root CAT activities.     

重金属Cd胁迫对红树蚬的抗氧化酶、消化酶活性和MDA含量的影响

摘要：本文在实验室条件下,观测不同Cd胁迫处理（时间和水平）对红树蚬（Geloina coaxans (Gmelin)）的胃组织中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性、丙二醛(MDA)含量,及淀粉酶、脂肪酶和蛋白酶等3种消化酶活性的影响效应。结果表明,高浓度组（4.00 mg?L-1和8.00 mg?L-1）在较短的暴露时间即出现SOD 活性显著诱导,而低浓度组则需要更长的暴露时间。所有处理组的CAT活性均先受诱导而后抑制,但去除胁迫后低浓度组活性上升,高浓度组则持续下降。低浓度处理组在胁迫初期MDA含量上升,但随后下降至较低水平;高浓度处理组MDA含量上升稍为滞后,但随后上升至较高水平。在消化酶方面,Cd对红树蚬胃组织淀粉酶的影响基本上表现为抑制;在胁迫初期脂肪酶活性受到显著诱导,随着胁迫时间延长酶活性则下降,同时胁迫解除后不同程度恢复;对蛋白酶的影响效应规律性不明显。显著的效应-剂量间相关关系存在于特定时间的SOD活性（1d）,CAT、淀粉酶活性和MDA含量（7d和恢复6d）。本文还探讨了这些指标作为生物标记物应用于监测海洋重金属污染的可能性。 关键词：红树林;红树蚬;Cd胁迫;消化酶;抗氧化酶;脂质过氧化     

Phosphatase production and activity in copper (II) accumulating Rhizopus delemar

The fungus Rhizopus delemar produced extracellular and cellular acid phosphatase during the growth in starch-supplemented medium in the presence or absence of copper ions. The levels of both AP-ase activities were maximal at the end of exponential growth phase and were dependent on copper concentrations. Copper ions in the medium provoked slight decrease of specific AP-ase activities and significant increase of the values of secreted enzyme per gram dry cells. On the other hand, an increase of copper ions in the reaction mixture leads to considerable increase of the values of cellular enzyme activity. Total uptake of copper (II) was highest at the highest copper (II) concentration, when resting cells were used. Between 27 and 30% copper (II) was not removed by acid washing, suggested that this copper was bound intracellularly by mycelium. Determination of the Michaelis constant for the cellular AP-ase gave value of 0.325 mM. The pH optimum of the enzyme was determined to be in the range of 3.5–4.5 using p-nitrophenyl phosphate (pNPP) as a substrate. The data obtained indicated a possible participation of AP-ases in the processes of heavy metal resistance and heavy metal uptake of this fungus.     

Antioxidative stress proteins and their gene expression in brown trout (Salmo trutta) from three rivers with different heavy metal levels

Three populations of brown trout (Salmo trutta) exposed to different metal levels in their natural environments, were studied with respect to antioxidants metallothionein (MT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) as well as for corresponding mRNA levels. In addition, mRNA levels were studied for glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GR). The Cd/Zn-exposed trout (Naustebekken River) had higher accumulated levels of Cd, Cu and Zn in gills, and higher levels of MT (both protein and mRNA) in liver and kidney as well as in gills compared to the Cu-exposed trout (Rugla River) and trout from an uncontaminated reference river (Stribekken River). Less MT found in the Cu-exposed trout may increase susceptibility to oxidative stress, but no higher levels of antioxidant mRNAs were found in gills of these trouts. The data indicated that chronic exposures of brown trout to Cd, Zn and/or Cu did not involve maintenance of high activities of SOD and CAT enzymes in gills, although SOD mRNA levels were higher in the Cd/Zn-exposed trout. In livers, mRNA levels of SOD, CAT and GPx were higher in the metal-exposed trout, but in the case of GR this was only seen in kidneys of Cd/Zn-exposed trout. However, both metal-exposed groups had higher activities of SOD enzyme in liver compared to the unexposed reference trout, and CAT activity was found to be higher in kidneys of Cu-exposed trout. The Cu-exposed trout did not seem to rely on MT production to avoid Cu toxicity in gills, but rather by keeping the Cu uptake at a low level. A coordinated expression of different stress genes may also be important in chronic metal exposure. It may be concluded that the observed metal effects relies on acclimation rather than on genetic adaptation in the metal exposed populations.     

Biochemical and RAPD Analysis of Hibiscus rosa sinensis Induced by Heavy Metals

The present study was designed to assess the effects of three different metals (cadmium, lead, and zinc) at the same concentrations on Hibiscus rosa sinensis during metal uptake. The effects of different metals at the same concentrations were assessed on biomass, root-shoot length, and biochemical parameters like chlorophyll and antioxidant enzymes like SOD and CAT to establish the tolerance potential and toxic effects on plants in different metals. The accumulation of metals by plants was found to be in the following order: Zn > mixed metals > Cd > Pb, where Zn was accumulated approximately 79.6% in plant tissues. Plants removed from Cd showed more enzyme activities than the other two metals. DNA stability was investigated by a Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique, which demonstrated that the samples in Cd and mixed metal showed similar trends, whereas samples in Zn and Pb showed similar band intensity to the control. Results suggested that Cd and/or heavy metal stress influences antioxidant status and also induces DNA changes during remediation. Therefore, these studies could be a useful biomarker assay for better treatment for metals’ remediation from soil by means of phytoremediation.     

Nitric oxide (as sodium nitroprusside) supplementation ameliorates Cd toxicity in hydroponically grown wheat roots

Cadmium (Cd) is a non-redox toxic heavy metal present in the environment and induces oxidative stress in plants. We investigated whether exogenous nitric oxide (NO) supplementation as sodium nitroprusside (SNP) has any ameliorating action against Cd-induced oxidative damage in plant roots and thus protective role against Cd toxicity. Cd treatment (50 or 250 μM) alone or in combination with 200 μM SNP was given to hydroponically grown wheat roots for a short time period of 24 h and then these were shifted to distilled water to observe changes in levels of oxidative markers (lipid peroxidation, H₂O₂ content and electrolyte leakage). Supplementation of Cd with SNP significantly reduced the Cd-induced lipid peroxidation, H₂O₂ content and electrolyte leakage in wheat roots. It indicated a reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activity of NO. However, even upon removal of Cd-treatment solution, the levels of oxidative markers increased during 24 h recovery stage and later at 48 h these decreased. Cd treatment resulted in an upregulation of activities of antioxidant enzymes—superoxide dismutase (SOD, 1.15.1.1), guaiacol peroxidase (GPX, 1.11.1.7), catalase (CAT, 1.11.1.6), and glutathione reductase (GR, 1.6.4.2). SNP supply resulted in a reduction in Cd-induced increased activities of scavenging enzymes. The protective role of exogenous NO in decreasing Cd-induced oxidative damage was also evident from the histochemical localization of lipid peroxidation, plasma membrane integrity and superoxides. The study concludes that an exogenous supply of NO protects wheat roots from Cd-induced toxicity.     

重金属胁迫对真菌生长及发酵液pH的影响

【背景】矿区废渣堆重金属污染严重,废渣堆分布着一些耐重金属的微生物。【目标】探究重金属胁迫对真菌生长及发酵液pH的影响。【方法】从金川矿区废渣堆采集土样,分离培养具有产酸能力的真菌,采用形态学与分子生物学技术鉴定这些菌株,并测定其产酸能力及其对Pb~(2+)、Cd~(2+)和Zn~(2+)的耐受性。【结果】形态学及18S rRNA基因序列分析获得黑曲霉ZJ-I (Aspergillus niger ZJ-I)和产黄青霉ZJ-V (Penicilium chrysogenum ZJ-V)两个产酸菌株。未加重金属培养时,与不接种真菌对照相比,上述2个菌株的发酵液pH分别下降0.58和0.69;添加重金属处理后,随着重金属浓度的增加,pH变化幅度变小,不同浓度Pb~(2+)使A.nigerZJ-I发酵液pH值分别下降0.53、0.39、0.34和0.39,使P. chrysogenum ZJ-V发酵液pH值分别下降0.21、0.23、0.14和0.09;不同浓度Cd~(2+)使A. niger ZJ-I发酵液pH值分别下降0.75、0.43、0.39和0.32,使P. chrysogenum ZJ-V发酵液pH值分别下降0.62、0.46、0.38和0.49;不同浓度Zn~(2+)可使A.nigerZJ-I发酵液pH分别下降0.87、0.61、0.57和0.43,使P. chrysogenum ZJ-V发酵液pH分别下降1.1、0.34、0.44和0.49;低浓度的Zn~(2+)对菌株A.niger ZJ-I和P. chrysogenum ZJ-V产酸都有促进作用,低浓度的Cd~(2+)对A. niger ZJ-I产酸有促进作用。当Cd~(2+)、Zn~(2+)与Pb~(2+)的浓度分别超过200、400、2 000 mg/L时,3种不同浓度的重金属对菌株A. niger ZJ-I的抑制率达到80%以上,抑制效果显著;当Cd~(2+)、Zn~(2+)与Pb~(2+)浓度分别超过200、1 000、2 000 mg/L时,3种不同浓度的重金属对菌株P.chrysogenumZJ-V抑制率达到80%以上,抑制效果显著。【结论】两株真菌均具有产酸能力和一定的重金属耐受性,菌株P. chrysogenum ZJ-V发酵液产酸性能与重金属耐受能力都要优于ZJ-I,菌株ZJ-V具备潜在的淋洗重金属污染土壤的能力。     

Biosorption of heavy metals from aqueous solutions with tobacco dust

A typical lignocellulosic agricultural residue, namely tobacco dust, was investigated for its heavy metal binding efficiency. The tobacco dust exhibited a strong capacity for heavy metals, such as Pb(II), Cu(II), Cd(II), Zn(II) and Ni(II), with respective equilibrium loadings of 39.6, 36.0, 29.6, 25.1 and 24.5 mg of metal per g of sorbent. Moreover, the heavy metals loaded onto the biosorbent could be released easily with a dilute HCl solution. Zeta potential and surface acidity measurements showed that the tobacco dust was negatively charged over a wide pH range (pH > 2), with a strong surface acidity and a high OH⁻ adsorption capacity. Changes in the surface morphology of the tobacco dust as visualized by atomic force microscopy suggested that the sorption of heavy metal ions on the tobacco could be associated with changes in the surface properties of the dust particles. These surface changes appeared to have resulted from a loss of some of the structures on the surface of the particles, owing to leaching in the acid metal ion solution. However, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) showed no substantial change in the chemical structure of the tobacco dust subjected to biosorption. The heavy metal uptake by the tobacco dust may be interpreted as metal–H ion exchange or metal ion surface complexation adsorption or both.     

Evaluation of antioxidant bioindicators and growth responses in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Malva parviflora</Emphasis> L. exposed to cadmium

In this study, the effect of cadmium (Cd) uptake and concentration on some growth and biochemical responses were investigated in Malva parviflora under Cd treatments including 0, 10, 50 and 100 µM. The shoots and roots were able to accumulate Cd. However, increased Cd dose led to a considerable Cd content in the roots. Cd stress decreased growth, increased lipid peroxidation and also enhanced proline and ascorbic acid contents in both shoots and roots. Chlorophyll and carotenoid contents decreased in the plants with the increasing Cd concentration. While the activities of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) increased in the shoots under different Cd doses, these activities decreased in the roots as compared to the control. Both shoots and roots demonstrated a significant increase in guaiacol peroxidase activity in response to Cd stress. Contrary to the aboveground parts, the roots subjected to Cd doses showed a rise in protein content. Despite higher Cd content in the roots, it seems that CAT and SOD do not play a key role in detoxification of Cd-induced oxidative stress. These findings confirm that reduced biomass and growth under Cd stress can be due to an increase in oxidative stress and a decrease in photosynthetic pigment content. The present study clearly indicates that the shoots and roots exploit different tolerance behaviors to alleviate Cd-induced oxidative stress in M. parviflora.