Effects of selected heavy metals (Pb, Cu, Ni, and Cd) in the aquatic medium on the restoration potential and accumulation in the stem cuttings of the terrestrial plant, Talinum triangulare Linn

Remediation of Cd contaminated paddy fields by intercropping of the high- and low- Cd-accumulating rice cultivars

Intercropping cadmium (Cd) hyperaccumulators with crops have been widely applied in the remediation of contaminated farmland soils. However, most studies were done on drylands since the majority of the hyperaccumulators are susceptible to the aquatic environment, making the remediation of Cd-contaminated paddy fields particularly difficult. Our study attempts to address the issue by intercropping the high-Cd-accumulating (henceforth, "high-Cd") rice cultivars with the low-Cd-accumulating (henceforth, "low-Cd") ones, and to study the Cd removal, uptake and translocation during the remediation process. The results indicated that intercropping mode with 20-cm row spacing (intercropping-20 treatment) performed better than the that with 30-cm row spacing (intercropping-30 treatment), while intercropping had stronger impact on late rice compared to early rice. In general, the physiological condition of rice was stable under the intercropping-20 treatment, suggesting the growth of rice was not impeded. For late rice, as the intercropping-20 treatment can significantly reduce soil pH and increase the diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid extracted Cd (DTPA-extracted Cd) from the rhizosphere soil, Cd accumulated more in the tissues of the high-Cd rice cultivars (H2), and its dry biomass increased. As a result, a drastic improvement in the total Cd removal rate by 38.55 % was noticed. Therefore, the reduction of total Cd concentration in 0-20 cm profile caused by removal, thus it could provide safer soil environment for the growth of low Cd-rice cultivars (L2), leading to a significant drop in the root Cd concentration and safer production of L2. Interestingly, intercropping had no effect on the yield per plant of low-Cd rice cultivars. For early rice, intercropping-20 treatment exerted trivial effects to all aspects. The intercropping-30 treatment has poor representativeness of all indicators because of the large intercropping distance. Our results demonstrate that intercropping of the high-Cd and the low-Cd rice cultivars is a potential mode for Cd remediation in paddy fields.

Applications of chitosan to the roots and shoots change the accumulation pattern of cadmium in Talinum patens (Talinaceae) cuttings

Chitosan induces tolerance to abiotic stress agents in plants. However, studies on the different application forms of this biopolymer are limited. This study evaluated the effect of two forms of chitosan application on the morphophysiology of and metal accumulation by Talinum patens cuttings subjected to Cd to develop new cadmium (Cd) decontamination technologies. Cuttings from 75-day-old plants were transferred to a hydroponic system. For 30 days, three Cd concentrations (0, 7, and 14 mg L^-1) and three forms of chitosan application (without application, root, and foliar) were applied. The cuttings were tolerant to Cd because the metal did not influence biomass production or photosynthetic efficiency. Neither chitosan application nor Cd increased the modified chlorophyll content and fluorescence parameters. However, foliar chitosan reduced the transpiration rate. At the highest concentration of Cd, the application of chitosan in the root reduced the Mg content of the root system and shoots. The root application of chitosan increased the surface area and volume of thicker roots at the expense of finer ones. The foliar application resulted in greater total root length and surface area, mainly those finer. Furthermore, chitosan applied to the leaves activated catalase in the roots and leaves. In contrast to the root application, foliar application increased the accumulation of Cd in the roots. The action of catalase and the increase of fine roots may have favored a greater absorption of the nutrient solution and Cd in the chitosan foliar application treatment. It is concluded that chitosan foliar spraying can improve Cd rhizofiltration with T. patens.

Phytoextraction of heavy metals from contaminated soil, water and atmosphere using ornamental plants: mechanisms and efficiency improvement strategies

Accumulation of heavy metals (HMs) in soil, water and air is one of the major environmental concerns worldwide, which mainly occurs due to anthropogenic activities such as industrialization, urbanization, and mining. Conventional remediation strategies involving physical or chemical techniques are not cost-effective and/or eco-friendly, reinforcing the necessity for development of novel approaches. Phytoextraction has attracted considerable attention over the past decades and generally refers to use of plants for cleaning up environmental pollutants such as HMs. Compared to other plant types such as edible crops and medicinal plants, ornamental plants (OPs) seem to be a more viable option as they offer several advantages including cleaning up the HMs pollution, beautification of the environment, by-product generation and related economic benefits, and not generally being involved in the food/feed chain or other direct human applications. Phytoextraction ability of OPs involve diverse detoxification pathways such as enzymatic and non-enzymatic (secondary metabolites) antioxidative responses, distribution and deposition of HMs in the cell walls, vacuoles and metabolically inactive tissues, and chelation of HMs by a ligand such as phytochelatins followed by the sequestration of the metal-ligand complex into the vacuoles. The phytoextraction efficiency of OPs can be improved through chemical, microbial, soil amending, and genetic approaches, which primarily target bioavailability, uptake, and sequestration of HMs. In this review, we explore the phytoextraction potential of OPs for remediation of HMs-polluted environments, underpinning mechanisms, efficiency improvement strategies, and highlight the potential future research directions.

Transfer Mechanism, Uptake Kinetic Process, and Bioavailability of P, Cu, Cd, Pb, and Zn in Macrophyte Rhizosphere Using Diffusive Gradients in Thin Films

The transfer-uptake-bioavailability of phosphorus (P), Cu, Cd, Zn, and Pb in rhizosphere of Zizania latifolia (ZL) and Myriophyllum verticiilaturn (MV) cultivated in rhizoboxes in Lake Erhai (China) is evaluated by DGT (diffusive gradients in thin films) technique. DGT induced fluxes in sediments (DIFS) model reveals that resupply ability (r), liable pool size in sediment solid (k_d), kinetic parameter (k_-1), or response time (T_c) control the diffusion-resupply characters of P and Cu (standing for four metals) in rhizosphere interface. The linear fitting curves of element content in ZL or MV roots (C_root) against DGT (C_DGT), porewater (C₀), or sediment concentration demonstrate that C_root for five elements can be predicted by C_DGT more effectively than the other methods. (I) DOC (dissolved organic carbon) in porewater controlled by OM (organic matter) in solid plus pH for Cu and Cd or (II) DOP/DTP ratio in porewater (between dissolved organic P and dissolved total P) for P controlled by Fe-bound P and OM in solid, can affect phytoavailability in rhizosphere. They lead to (I) the larger slope (s) and the linear regression coefficient (R²) in the first part than those for the complete fitting curve (ZL or MV root against C_DGT(Cu) or C₀(Cu) and MV root against C_DGT(Cd)) or (II) the outliers above or below the fitting curve (ZL root (P) against C₀(P) or C_DGT(P)) and the larger R² without outliers. DGT-rhizobox-DIFS should be a reliable tool to research phytoremediation mechanism of macrophytes.

Studies on phytoremediation of copper using Pteridium aquilinum (bracken fern) in the presence of biostimulants and bioassay using Clarias gariepinus juveniles

A study was carried out to evaluate the uptake of copper from water containing 10 mg/L copper by Pteridium aquilinum (bracken fern) and Clarias gariepinus in the presence of five plant growth stimulants: Nitrogen: phosphorus: potassium (15-15-15: an inorganic fertilizer), pig, cattle, poultry, and a mixture of pig/cattle manures. A plant growth stimulant differentiated each treatment. A 96-hour bioassay using C. gariepinus was carried out at the end of the experiment to test the efficacy of the clean up by P. aquilinum. The control experiment contained no copper or plant growth stimulant. Fish survival, uptake of copper by P. aquilinum, C. gariepinus, concentration of copper in water, hematology and histopathology of the fish were assessed. Higher concentrations of copper were reported in P. aquilinum than in water or C. gariepinus. Low fish mortality was reported with the highest being 20% in the cattle manure-containing treatment.

Growth and survival of Halimione portulacoides stem cuttings in heavy metal contaminated soils

The halophytic shrub Halimione portulacoides demonstrates a high tolerance to heavy metal contamination and a capacity for accumulating metals within its tissues. On the Iberian Peninsula, this species has colonized habitats with high levels of metal pollution. The aim of this study is to analyze the response of H. portulacoides stem cuttings to this pollution. Growth, photosynthesis and metal uptake were examined in H. portulacoides through an experiment in which stem cuttings were replanted in metal-contaminated soil. This condition decreased growth and lowered both photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance. Reduced photosynthetic performance was largely due to the reduced concentration of photosynthetic pigments. Despite these responses, there was some important evidence suggesting the phytoremediatory potential of Halimione stem cuttings. The results of our study indicate that this salt-marsh shrub may represent a biotool of value in the restoration of polluted areas.

Elucidation of lead-induced oxidative stress in Talinum triangulare roots by analysis of antioxidant responses and DNA damage at cellular level

Hydroponic experiments were performed with Talinum triangulare (Jacq.) Willd. focusing the root cellular biochemistry with special emphasis on DNA damage, structural, and elemental analyses in Pb(NO3)2 exposed with 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, and 1.25 mM for 7 days. Lead (Pb) increased reactive oxygen species production, lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation, cell death, and DNA damage and decreased the protein content in a dose-dependent manner. Likewise, a dose-dependent induction of antioxidative enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalase by Pb was evident. Ascorbate peroxidase on the other hand responded biphasically to Pb treatments by showing induction at low (0.25 and 0.50) and repression at high (0.75-1.25 mM) concentrations. The estimation of proline content also indicated a similar biphasic trend. Scanning electron microscope and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis showed that 1.25 mM Pb treatment resulted in ultrastructural modifications in roots and stem tissue that was marked by the change in the elemental profile. The findings pointed to the role of oxidative stress in the underlying Pb phytotoxicity and genotoxicity in T. triangulare.

Effects of vegetative-periodic-induced rhizosphere variation on the uptake and translocation of metals in Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin ex. Steudel growing in the Sun Island Wetland

To evaluate the vegetative periodic effect of rhizosphere on the patterns of metal bioaccumulation, the concentrations of Mg, K, Ca, Mn, Zn, Fe, Cu, Cr, Ni, Cd and Pb in the corresponding rhizosphere soil and tissues of Phragmites australis growing in the Sun Island wetland (Harbin, China) were compared. The concentrations of Zn, Fe, Cu, Cr, Ni, Cd and Pb in roots were higher than in shoots, suggesting that roots are the primary accumulation organs for these metals and there exists an exclusion strategy for metal tolerance. In contrast, the rest of the metals showed an opposite trend, suggesting that they were not restricted in roots. Harvesting would particularly be an effective method to remove Mn from the environment. The concentrations of metals in shoots were generally higher in autumn than in summer, suggesting that Ph. australis possesses an efficient root-to-shoot translocation system, which is activated at the end of the growing season and allows more metals into the senescent tissues. Furthermore, metal bioaccumulation of Ph. australis was affected by vegetative periodic variation through the changing of physicochemical and microbial conditions. The rhizospheric microbial characteristics were significantly related to the concentrations of Mg, K, Zn, Fe and Cu, suggesting that microbial influence on metal accumulation is specific and selective, not eurytopic.

Lead toxicity, defense strategies and associated indicative biomarkers in Talinum triangulare grown hydroponically

Talinum species have been used to investigate a variety of environmental problems for e.g. determination of metal pollution index and total petroleum hydrocarbons in roadside soils, stabilization and reclamation of heavy metals (HMs) in dump sites, removal of HMs from storm water-runoff and green roof leachates. Species of Talinum are popular leaf vegetables having nutrient antinutrient properties. In this study, Talinum triangulare (Jacq.) Willd (Ceylon spinach) grown hydroponically were exposed to different concentrations of lead (Pb) (0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0 and 1.25 mM) to investigate the biomarkers of toxicity and tolerance mechanisms. Relative water content, cell death, photosynthetic pigments, sulphoquinovosyldiacylglycerol (SQDG), anthocyanins, α-tocopherol, malondialdehyde (MDA), reactive oxygen species (ROS) glutathione (GSH and GSSG) and elemental analysis have been investigated. The results showed that Pb in roots and shoots gradually increased as the function of Pb exposure; however Pb concentration in leaves was below detectable level. Chlorophylls and SQDG contents increased at 0.25 mM of Pb treatment in comparison to control at all treated durations, thereafter decreased. Levels of carotenoid, anthocyanins, α-tocopherol, and lipid peroxidation increased in Pb treated plants compared to control. Water content, cells death and elemental analysis suggested the damage of transport system interfering with nutrient transport causing cell death. The present study also explained that Pb imposed indirect oxidative stress in leaves is characterized by decreases in GSH/GSSG ratio with increased doses of Pb treatment. Lead-induced oxidative stress was alleviated by carotenoids, anthocyanins, α-tocopherol and glutathione suggesting that these defense responses as potential biomarkers for detecting Pb toxicity.

Coupling bioaccumulation and phytotoxicity to predict copper removal by switchgrass grown hydroponically

A major challenge in phytoextraction is to increase plants' removal rates of metals from contaminated soils. In this study, we developed a phytoextraction model, by coupling a saturable Michaelis-Menten type accumulation model and an energy-based toxicity model, to predict copper (Cu) removal by switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) grown hydroponically under various exposure concentrations. Results of the present study indicated that the phytotoxicity of Cu to switchgrass is relatively low, whereas a certain accumulation capacity exists in the plant for Cu. In addition, the simulation results suggested that, under a lower dissolved concentration, Cu removal is increased more efficiently as the exposure duration increases. Although it is difficult to extrapolate the results from greenhouse-based hydroponic experiments to field conditions, we believe that the current methodology can offer a first approximation in predicting the phytoextraction duration needed for plant species to remove a specific metal from contaminated sites, which is crucial in evaluating the economic costs for remediation purposes.

Growth response of the duckweed Lemna gibba L. to copper and nickel phytoaccumulation

To assess the tolerance and phytoaccumulation ability of the duckweed Lemna gibba L. to copper (Cu) and nickel (Ni), the plants were exposed to different concentrations of Cu and Ni (0.1-2.0 mg/l) under laboratory conditions. The results showed that Cu and Ni were tolerated by L. gibba at concentrations ≤0.3 and ≤0.5 mg/l, respectively. However, plant growth decreased by 50% (I(50)) when the medium contained 0.45 mg Cu/l or 0.75 mg Ni/l. The observed LCI (lowest concentration causing complete inhibition) were 0.5 and 1.0 mg/l respectively in the presence of Cu and Ni. Results from metal analysis in plant biomass revealed a high accumulation of Cu (1.5 mg g(-1) DW), a low accumulation of Ni (0.5 mg g(-1) DW) within the plants and a corresponding decrease of metals in the water. The removal percentage of Cu was about 60-80%. We conclude that the duckweed L. gibba L. showed a higher accumulation potential for Cu from polluted water than Ni after 4 days of exposure.