Root porosity and radial oxygen loss related to arsenic tolerance and uptake in wetland plants

Mathematical modeling of subsurface flow constructed wetlands performance for arsenic removal: Review and perspectives

Constructed wetlands are nature-based solutions able to remove different pollutants from water, including arsenic. Arsenic is a pollutant of concern given its toxicity and its presence in water sources worldwide. Despite the increased interest in investigating the performance of constructed wetlands in the treatment of arsenic-contaminated water at the laboratory scale, the application of these solutions at the pilot and full scale is still limited. To understand and predict the removal of arsenic in constructed wetlands, some numerical models have been developed. Among black box models, only first-order models have been proposed, with unsuccessful results. The model that best describes arsenic retention processes in constructed wetlands is RCB-ARSENIC, a mechanistic model adapted from Retraso-CodeBright that simulates arsenic reactive transport. This model includes arsenic precipitation, arsenic sorption on supporting media, arsenic sorption on plants roots and arsenic uptake by plants; represented in the reactive term of the reactive transport equation. Thus, it includes two of the three main processes that remove arsenic in constructed wetlands: precipitation, sorption, and coprecipitation. Despite this, and what is known about arsenic geochemistry, the formulation of these reactive rates requires improvement. In addition, this model was calibrated and validated using data from a single horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetland system, which treated one type of synthetic water. Therefore, it cannot be applied to other types of arsenic-contaminated water or other constructed wetland systems. Moreover, the reactive transport of relevant species -especially iron- and their role in arsenic removal, along with relevant redox reactions associated to the presence of organic matter, oxides or bacteria-, must be included. A comprehensive mechanistic model able to simulate different design, environmental and operation conditions may be used to guide the design of constructed wetlands targeting the removal of arsenic.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis alleviates arsenic phytotoxicity in flooded Iris tectorum Maxim. dependent on arsenic exposure levels

Arsenic (As) pollution in wetlands has emerged as a serious global concern, posing potential threat to the growth of wetland plants. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can alleviate As phytotoxicity to host plants, but their ecological functions in wetland plants under flooding conditions remain largely unknown. Thus, a pot experiment was conducted using Rhizophagus irregularis and Iris tectorum Maxim. exposed to light (15 and 30 mg/kg As) and high (75 and 100 mg/kg As) levels of As, to investigate the intrinsic mechanisms underlying the effects of mycorrhizal inoculation on plant As tolerance under flooding conditions. The mycorrhizal colonization rates ranged from 31.47 ± 3.92 % to 60.69 ± 5.58 %, which were higher than the colonization rate (29.55 ± 13.60%) before flooding. AMF significantly increased biomass of I. tectorum under light As levels, together with increased phosphorus (P) and As uptake. Moreover, expression of arsenate reductase gene RiarsC and a trace of dimethylarsenic (1.87 mg/kg in shoots) were detected in mycorrhizal plants, suggesting As transformation and detoxification by AMF exposed to light levels of As. However, under high As levels, AMF inhibited As translocation from roots to shoots, and facilitated the formation of iron plaque. The immobilized As concentrations in iron plaque of mycorrhizal plants were respectively 1133.68 ± 179.17 mg/kg and 869.11 ± 248.90 mg/kg at 75 and 100 mg/kg As addition level, both significantly higher than that in non-inoculated plants. Irrespective of As exposure levels, mycorrhizal symbiosis decreased soil As bioavailability. Overall, the study provides insights into the alleviation of As phytotoxicity in natural wetland plants through mycorrhizal symbiosis, and potentially indicates function diversity of AMF under flooding conditions and As stress, supporting the subsequent phytoremediation and restoration of As-contaminated wetlands.

Effects of different water conditions on the cadmium hyperaccumulation efficiency of Rorippa sylvestris (L.) Besser and Rorippa amphibia Besser

Increasing the translocation and accumulation of cadmium (Cd) in Cd hyperaccumulator is an important technology to improve the phytoremediation efficiency of Cd-contaminated soil. In order to investigate the effects of different water conditions on the growth and Cd accumulation ability of Cd hyperaccumulators Rorippa sylvestris (L.) Besser and Rorippa amphibia Besser in Cd-polluted soil, clone seedlings of them were transplanted into pots filled with 50 mg kg^-1 Cd-contaminated soil and cultured with water conditions of soil relative water content (RWC) 35%, 55%, 75%, 95%, and flooding respectively. The results showed the following: with the increase of RWC, the height of R. sylvestris and R. amphibia increased gradually, the dry biomass of shoot and whole plant increased and reached the maximum in 95% and then decreased in flooding; the Cd concentrations in shoots of R. sylvestris and R. amphibia were more than 100 mg kg^-1 except for 35% and flooding; Cd bioconcentration factors (BCFs) of R. amphibia reached the maximum of 3.8870 in 75% and R. sylvestris reached the maximum of 3.2330 in 95%; sufficient water resulted in the decrease of photosynthetic rate due to more Cd accumulation. However, under flooding condition, because of the decrease of Cd bioavailability in soil, the accumulation of Cd in shoots declined and the net photosynthetic rate (P_n) enhanced slightly.

Effects of inorganic arsenic species on the antioxidant enzyme system of the Amazon Sword Plant (Echinodorus amazonicus Rataj)

This study aims to examine the effects of Arsenite (As⁺³) and Arsenate (As⁺⁵) on the aquatic macrophyte Amazon Sword Plant (Echinodorus amazonicus Rataj). To this aim, different concentrations of As⁺³ and As⁺⁵ (0, 6, 18 and 54 μM) were analyzed. At the end of the trail, photosynthetic pigment contents, total protein amounts, the enzymatic antioxidants superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POX) and catalase (CAT) activities and the amount of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the leaf samples of E. amazonicus were investigated. The antioxidant enzyme activities increased at low concentrations (32.13% for SOD, 185% for CAT and 201.5% for POX in the groups of 6 μM As⁺⁵), but decreased at high concentrations (64.98% for SOD, 21.64% for CAT and 21.29% for POX in the groups of 54 μM As⁺³). MDA increased in all the treatment groups. The highest MDA contents were observed as 96% for 54 μM As⁺³ and 71.50% for 54 μM As⁺⁵. Photosynthetic pigment contents and the amount of protein were decreased with higher concentrations. The most significant decreases in protein content were 65% for 54 μM As⁺³ and 34.9% for 54 μM As⁺⁵. As a result, the toxicity of As⁺³ was higher and the toxic effect increased at higher concentrations.

Enhanced removal of heavy metals and metalloids by constructed wetlands: A review of approaches and mechanisms

Constructed wetlands (CWs) are increasingly employed to remediate heavy metal and metalloid (HMM)-polluted water. However, the disadvantages of HMM removal by conventional CWs (without enhancement), such as an unstable and unpredictable removal efficiency, hinder the reliability of this technology. The objective of this study was to review research on enhanced CWs for HMM removal. In particular, we performed a bibliometric analysis to evaluate research trends, critical literature, and keyword evolution in recent years. Subsequently, we reviewed various enhanced approaches for the application of CWs for the removal of HMMs, including the use of improved substrates, aquatic macrophytes, microorganisms, bioelectrochemical coupling systems, hybrid CW, external additives, and operation parameters. Furthermore, the main mechanisms underlying HMM removal by these approaches are summarized. Our review clearly reveals that research on the remediation of HMM-polluted water via CW technology is receiving increased attention, with no apparent trends in topics. The selection of appropriate enhanced approaches or operation parameters as well as methodological improvements should be based on the dominant environmental conditions of the CW column and removal mechanisms for the targeted HMMs. Based on the established literature, several suggestions are proposed to guide the optimization of the design and operation of efficient CWs for the treatment of HMM-polluted water.

Combining Multiple High-Resolution In Situ Techniques to Understand Phosphorous Availability Around Rice Roots

Resolving chemical/biological drivers of P behavior around lowland/flooded rice roots remains a challenge because of the heterogeneity of the plant-soil interactions, compounded by sampling and analytical constraints. High-spatial-resolution (sub-mm) visualization enables these processes to be isolated, characterized, and deciphered. Here, three advanced soil imaging systems, diffusive gradients in thin-film technique coupled with laser ablation-ICPMS (DGT-LA-ICPMS), O₂ planar optode, and soil zymography, were integrated. This trio of approaches was then applied to a rice life cycle study to quantify solute-P supply, through two dimensions, in situ, and low-disturbance high-resolution (HR) chemical imaging. This allowed mechanisms of P release to be delineated by O₂, Fe, and phosphatase activity mapping at the same scale. HR-DGT revealed P depletion around both living and dead rice roots but with highly spatially variable Fe/P ratios (∼0.2-12.0) which aligned with changing redox conditions and root activities. Partnering of HR-DGT and soil zymography revealed concurrent P depletion and phosphatase hotspots in the rhizosphere and detritusphere zones (Mantel: 0.610-0.810, p < 0.01). This close affinity between these responses (Pearson correlation: -0.265 to -0.660, p < 0.01) cross-validates the measurements and reaffirms that P depletion stimulates phosphatase activity and P_org mineralization. The μ-scale biogeochemical landscape of rice rhizospheres and detritusphere, as documented here, needs greater consideration when implementing interventions to improve sustainable P nutrition.

Post treatment of anaerobically treated brewery effluent using pilot scale horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetland system

The anaerobic process is considered to be a sustainable technology for the treatment of wastewaters rich in organic matter mainly due to its lower energy consumption and production of value-added products such as biogas and organic fertilizer. However, it cannot be seen as providing 'complete' environmental solution as its treated effluents would typically not meet the desired discharge limits in terms of residual carbon, nutrients and other pollutants. This has given impetus to subsequent post treatment in order to meet the environmental standards and protect the receiving water bodies and environment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the post-treatment potential of a pilot scale two-stage horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetland (HSSFCW) system planted with Cyperus alternifolius and Typha latifolia, respectively, for enhanced removal of residual carbon and nutrient from an up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor treated brewery effluent. A pilot scale two-stage HSSFCW was integrated with the UASB reactor, and its performance efficiency was assessed for the removal of total suspended solids (TSS), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total nitrogen (TN), ammonium-nitrogen (NH4-N), total phosphorous (TP), and orthophosphate (PO43-). Macrophytes aboveground biomass and nutrient accumulation potential were also determined following standard methods. The results from this study showed that Cyperus alternifolius planted CW cell removed 68.5% TSS, 74.2% COD, 55.7% TN, 68.6% NH4-N, 41.1% TP and 48.1% PO43-. Moreover, further polishing with Typha latifolia planted CW cell enhanced the removal efficiencies to 89% TSS, 92% COD, 83.6% TN, 92.9% NH4-N, 74.4% TP, and 79.5% PO43-. Strong linearity and Pearson correlation was found between macrophyte biomass and nutrient accumulation in each CW cell (Cyperus alternifolius: R2 = 0.91, r = 0.97 for TN; R2 = 0.92, r = 0.96 for TP; and Typha latifolia: R2 = 0.96, r = 0.98 for TN and TP), and showed substantial nutrient reduction with cumulative nutrient accumulation of 1290 gTNm-2 and 708.7 gTPm-2 in the complete system. The performance of the pilot CW system as a tertiary treatment for brewery wastewater showed that the effluent meets the permissible discharge standards throughout the year excluding phosphorous.

Macrophyte Potential to Treat Leachate Contaminated with Wood Preservatives: Plant Tolerance and Bioaccumulation Capacity

Pentachlorophenol and chromated copper arsenate (CCA) have been used worldwide as wood preservatives, but these compounds can toxify ecosystems when they leach into the soil and water. This study aimed to evaluate the capacity of four treatment wetland macrophytes, Phalaris arundinacea, Typha angustifolia, and two subspecies of Phragmites australis, to tolerate and treat leachates containing wood preservatives. The experiment was conducted using 96 plant pots in 12 tanks filled with three leachate concentrations compared to uncontaminated water. Biomass production and bioaccumulation were measured after 35 and 70 days of exposure. There were no significant effects of leachate contamination concentration on plant biomass for any species. No contaminants were detected in aboveground parts of the macrophytes, precluding their use for phytoextraction within the tested contamination levels. However, all species accumulated As and chlorinated phenols in belowground parts, and this accumulation was more prevalent under a more concentrated leachate. Up to 0.5 mg pentachlorophenol/kg (from 81 µg/L in the leachate) and 50 mg As/kg (from 330 µg/L in the leachate) were accumulated in the belowground biomass. Given their high productivity and tolerance to the contaminants, the tested macrophytes showed phytostabilization potential and could enhance the degradation of phenols from leachates contaminated with wood preservatives in treatment wetlands.

Influence of plant radial oxygen loss in constructed wetland combined with microbial fuel cell on nitrobenzene removal from aqueous solution

This study investigated the effects of radial oxygen loss (ROL) of three different plants on nitrobenzene (NB) wastewater treatment and bioelectricity generation performance in constructed wetland-microbial fuel cell (CW-MFC). ROL and root biomass from wetland plants showed positive effects on NB wastewater compared to unplanted CW-MFC. Scirpus validus exhibited higher tolerance to NB than Typha orientalis and Iris pseudacorus at 20-200 mg/L NB. As NB concentration reached 200 mg/L, the CW-MFC with Scirpus validus had relatively high DO (2.57 ± 0.17 mg/L) and root biomass (16.42 ± 0.18 g/m²), which resulted in the highest power density and voltage (19.5 mW/m², 590 mV) as well as NB removal efficiency (93.9 %) among four reactors. High-throughput sequencing results suggested that electrochemically active bacteria (EAB) (e.g., Geobacter, Ferruginibacter) and dominant NB-degrading bacteria (e.g., Comamonas, Pseudomonas) could be enhanced by wetland plants, especially in CW-MFC with Scirpus validus. Therefore, Scirpus validus was a good option for simultaneously treating NB wastewater and producing bioelectricity.

Coconut-fiber biochar reduced the bioavailability of lead but increased its translocation rate in rice plants: Elucidation of immobilization mechanisms and significance of iron plaque barrier on roots using spectroscopic techniques

Coconut-fiber biochar (CFB) was applied at 3% (w/w) to two soils spiked with 250, 2500, 5000 mg kg^-1 of lead (Pb), respectively, aiming to explore the effects of CFB and the significance of iron (Fe) plaque on rice roots on the accumulation and translocation of Pb in rice plants using micro-X-ray fluorescence and X-ray absorption spectroscopies. The CFB amendment resulted in a significant decrease in the EDTA-extractable Pb availability in the soils, which might be attributed to the increased amounts of Pb-loaded humic acid and Pb₃(PO₄)₂ formed in the soils. Consequently, the addition of CFB caused a significant decrease in Pb concentrations of the brown rice harvested from the CFB-amended soils under all Pb levels by 14 %-47 %, as compared to those from the unamended soils. Therefore, CFB could be used as an immobilizing agent for Pb in contaminated soils. However, CFB application significantly inhibited the formation of Fe/Mn plaques on rice roots and reduced its interception effect on Pb uptake, which consequently increased the Pb translocation rate from root to shoot. Therefore, the increased translocation rate of Pb in rice plants by CFB should not be ignored when CFB is applied to remediate Pb-contaminated paddy soils.

Effect of water-driven changes in rice rhizosphere on Cd lability in three soils with different pH

Pot experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of water management, namely continuous flooding (CF), intermittent flooding (IF) and non-flooding (NF), on Cd phytoavailaility in three paddy soils that differed in pH and in Cd concentrations. Diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) technique was employed to monitor soil labile Cd and Fe concentrations simultaneously at three growth stages (tillering, heading and mature stage) of rice. The Cd phytoavailability were generally in the order of NF > IF > CF, and higher rice Cd (over permitted level, 0.2 mg/kg) were only found in neutral and acidic soils under NF conditions. DGT measured soil labile Cd rather than total Cd was the most reliable predictor for Cd accumulation in rice. CF enhanced the formation of root plaques, which related to oxidation of large quantities of available Fe on root surfaces due to the O₂ secretion of rice root. The Cd concentration in root plaques shared the same trend with DGT-Cd. Generally, root plaques would inhibit Cd uptake by rice under CF conditions, while under IF and NF conditions, root plaques act as a temporarily store of Cd, and soil labile Cd is the key factor that controls the transfer of Cd from soil to rice. The results of principle component analysis revealed that water management had the greatest effect on soil Cd lability and rice Cd in acidic soil. Thus, it is important to consider the availability of Cd and soil pH when assessing current agricultural practices of contaminated soil in China.

Constructed wetlands as an alternative for arsenic removal from reverse osmosis effluent

In Argentina, drinking water for c.a. 10% of the population has arsenic (As) concentrations higher than those recommended by WHO (10 μg L^-1). Reverse osmosis (RO) appears as an immediate and effective solution for As remediation. However, this process has a residual flow known as "rejection" or "concentrate" where dissolved species are more concentrated than in the feed flow. In this study, phytoremediation with subsurface horizontal-flow constructed wetlands (CW) was proposed to reduce As concentration in the RO residues. Experiments were carried out during 419 days at room temperature and using a continuous regime (flow of 36 L d^-1, As concentration around 85 μg L^-1) of RO rejection from a water treatment plant located in Buenos Aires province, Argentina. The study was performed using prototypes planted with Cyperus haspan (PA), Juncus effusus (PB) and a mix of inert gravel and laterite (substrate) that was used as a control (PC). Results showed that after a stabilization time, As removal (%) was between 30% and 80% in the CW planted with J. effusus and between 10 and 40% with C. haspan. As concentration along CW showed similarities between the prototypes PC and PA. The cumulative mass of As was 62%, 34% and 27% for PA, PB and PC, respectively. The contribution of C. haspan and J. effusus during the experimental time was between 12 and 67% and 22 to 87%, respectively. The bioaccumulation and translocation factors indicated that for J. effusus the accumulation is more important than the translocation process (1.6 and 0.2, respectively), while for C. haspan both factors were similar (1.1 and 1.0, respectively). Results suggested that this technology has the potential for an efficient and environmentally sustainable alternative to RO rejection treatment and disposal regarding As concentration.

Root adaptation in Echinodorus osiris Rataj plant under cadmium stress

Cadmium tolerant plant, Echinodorus osiris Rataj, was selected to study its root adaptive mechanism under Cd stress. The change of root porosity, radial oxygen loss (ROL), and iron plaque formation was investigated. Results suggested that Cd treatment decreased 28.6-49.9% of ROL and reduced 13.5-23.3% of root porosity but increased 63.4-147.2% of iron plaque after 21 days, respectively. Under different Cd treatments, the uptake of Cd in root presented quick and mild models while it showed relatively consistent increase in shoot. Correlation analysis demonstrated that Cd concentrations in plant were related negatively with root porosity but had no significant correlation with ROL. There was significant positive correlation between root porosity and ROL; however, they both related negatively with root iron plaque. Moreover, the scanning electron microscopy indicates a barrier to the movement of Cd in endodermis layers.

Are Myriophyllum alterniflorum biomarker responses to arsenic stress differentially affected by hydrodynamic conditions?

Arsenic (As) is a significant contaminant in the environment and its detection through macrophytes can provide a powerful tool. Myriophyllum alterniflorum constitutes a good candidate by virtue of its ability to accumulate contaminants, and moreover its biomarkers can respond to the presence of trace metals and metalloids. The objective of this study therefore is to evaluate the watermilfoil response to As exposure under several hydrodynamic conditions since it is well known that hydrodynamics affect plant functioning. For this purpose, fresh watermilfoil plants are subjected to three hydrodynamic conditions, namely laminar, turbulent and calm, in a synthetic medium either enriched or not by 100 μg.L^-1 arsenic for 21 days. Growth, pigment content (chlorophyll a, b and carotenoids), respiratory and photosynthetic activities, osmotic potential and hydrogen peroxide concentration are all monitored. Arsenic accumulation is measured separately in the roots and shoots of Myriophyllum alterniflorum. On the one hand, it should be noted that arsenic induces: (i) a significant increase in H₂O₂ content; (ii) a decrease in osmotic potential, pigment content, photosynthesis and respiration rates, shoot and root growth; and (iii) an inhibition of shoot branching. Moreover, a higher accumulation of this metalloid in roots than in shoots, regardless of the hydrodynamic condition, is witnessed. While on the other hand, hydrodynamic conditions only affect watermilfoil morphology and arsenic accumulation. Also, the younger and older parts have experienced differential toxic effects. Overall, our results suggest the effective use of M. alterniflorum in both water quality biomonitoring and phytoremediation studies.

Effect of Bacillus subtilis and NTA-APG on pyrene dissipation in phytoremediation of nickel co-contaminated wetlands by Scirpus triqueter

A complex mix of organic pollutants and heavy metal made the remediation of contaminated wetlands more difficult. Few research focus on the remediation for pyrene enhanced by chemical reagents and pyrene degrading bacteria in the nickel co-contaminated soil. In this paper, the effect of chemical reagents (nitrilotriacetic acid and alkyl polyglucoside) and Bacillus subtilis on pyrene dissipation in phytoremediation of nickel co-contaminated soil by Scirpus triqueter was investigated. Similar seedlings of Scirpus triqueter were moved to uncontaminated soil and pyrene-nickel co-contaminated soil. The pots (14.8 cm diameter and 8.8 cm height) were set up in greenhouse and treated in different ways. After 60 days, plant biomass, radial oxygen loss (ROL), soil dehydrogenase activity (DHA) and pyrene concentration in soil were determined. Results showed that ROL rate and DHA in different groups was positively correlated with pyrene dissipation from soil. In the process of remediation, chemical reagents might have an indirect slight effect on pyrene dissipation (pyrene dissipation increased 21%) by affecting DHA firstly and redistributing pyrene fractions in the presence of pyrene degrading bacteria. Pyrene degrading bacteria were likely to affect pyrene dissipation by impacting ROL rate and DHA and played a more vital role in contributing to pyrene dissipation (pyrene dissipation increased 45%) from wetland. This study demonstrated that phytoremediation for pyrene in nickel co-contaminated soil by Scirpus triqueter can be enhanced by the application of NTA-APG and pyrene degrading bacteria and they could be reasonably restore the ecological environment of PAH-contaminated wetlands.

Purification and reuse of non-point source wastewater via Myriophyllum-based integrative biotechnology: A review

In this review, the applications of Myriophyllum-based integrative biotechnology to remove common non-point source (NPS) pollutants, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, heavy metals, and organic pollutants (e.g., pesticides and antibiotics) are summarized. The removal of these pollutants via various mechanisms, including uptake by plant and microbial communities in macrophyte-based treatment systems are discussed. This review highlights the potential use of Myriophyllum biomass to produce animal feed, fertilizer, and other valuable by-products, which can yield cost-effective returns and attract more attention to the regulation and recycling of NPS pollutants. In addition, it demonstrates that utilization of Myriophyllum species is a promising and reliable strategy for wastewater treatment. The future development of sustainable Myriophyllum-based treatment systems is discussed from various perspectives.

Influence of silicon treatment on antimony uptake and translocation in rice genotypes with different radial oxygen loss

Antimony (Sb) pollution in soil may have a negative impact on the health of people consuming rice. This study investigated the effect of silicon (Si) application on rice biomass, iron plaque formation, and Sb uptake and speciation in rice plants with different radial oxygen loss (ROL) using pot experiments. The results demonstrated that Si addition increased the biomass of straw and grain, but had no obvious impact on the root biomass. Indica genotypes with higher ROL underwent greater iron plaque formation and exhibited more Sb sequestration in iron plaque. Silicon treatments increased iron levels in iron plaque from the different genotypes but decreased the total Sb concentration in root, straw, husk, and grain. In addition, Si treatment reduced the inorganic Sb concentrations but slightly increased the trimethylantimony (TMSb) concentrations in rice straw. Moreover, rice straw from hybrid genotypes accumulated higher concentrations of TMSb and inorganic Sb than that from indica genotypes. The conclusions from this study indicate that Sb contamination in rice can be efficiently reduced by applying Si treatment and selecting genotypes with high ROL.

The Journey of Arsenic from Soil to Grain in Rice

Arsenic (As) is a non-essential toxic metalloid whose elevated concentration in rice grains is a serious issue both for rice yield and quality, and for human health. The rice-As interactions, hence, have been studied extensively in past few decades. A deep understanding of factors influencing As uptake and transport from soil to grains can be helpful to tackle this issue so as to minimize grain As levels. As uptake at the root surface by rice plants depends on factors like iron plaque and radial oxygen loss. There is involvement of a number of transporters viz., phosphate transporters and aquaglyceroporins in the uptake and transport of different As species and in the movement to subcellular compartments. These processes are also affected by sulfur availability and consequently on the level of thiol (-SH)-containing As binding peptides viz., glutathione (GSH) and phytochelatins (PCs). Further, the role of phloem in As movement to the grains is also suggested. This review presents a detailed map of journey of As from soil to the grains. The implications for the utilization of available knowledge in minimizing As in rice grains are presented.

Arsenic Transport in Rice and Biological Solutions to Reduce Arsenic Risk from Rice

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) feeds ∼3 billion people. Due to the wide occurrence of arsenic (As) pollution in paddy soils and its efficient plant uptake, As in rice grains presents health risks. Genetic manipulation may offer an effective approach to reduce As accumulation in rice grains. The genetics of As uptake and metabolism have been elucidated and target genes have been identified for genetic engineering to reduce As accumulation in grains. Key processes controlling As in grains include As uptake, arsenite (AsIII) efflux, arsenate (AsV) reduction and AsIII sequestration, and As methylation and volatilization. Recent advances, including characterization of AsV uptake transporter OsPT8, AsV reductase OsHAC1;1 and OsHAC1;2, rice glutaredoxins, and rice ABC transporter OsABCC1, make many possibilities to develop low-arsenic rice.

The effect of silicon on iron plaque formation and arsenic accumulation in rice genotypes with different radial oxygen loss (ROL)

Rice is one of the major pathways of arsenic (As) exposure in human food chain, threatening over half of the global population. Greenhouse pot experiments were conducted to examine the effects of Si application on iron (Fe) plaque formation, As uptake and rice grain As speciation in indica and hybrid rice genotypes with different radial oxygen loss (ROL) ability. The results demonstrated that Si significantly increased root and grain biomass. Indica genotypes with higher ROL induced greater Fe plaque formation, compared to hybrid genotypes and sequestered more As in Fe plaque. Silicon applications significantly increased Fe concentrations in iron plaque of different genotypes, but it decreased As concentrations in the roots, straws and husks by 28-35%, 15-35% and 32-57% respectively. In addition, it significantly reduced DMA accumulation in rice grains but not inorganic As accumulation. Rice of indica genotypes with higher ROL accumulated lower concentrations of inorganic As in grains than hybrid genotypes with lower ROL.

Influence of the phenols on the biogeochemical behavior of cadmium in the mangrove sediment

Phenols exert a great influence on the dynamic process of Cd in the soil-plant interface. We investigated the influence of phenols on the biogeochemical behavior of cadmium in the rhizosphere of Avicennia marina (Forsk) Vierh. All combinations of four levels of cadmium (0, 1, 2 and 4 mg/kg DW) and two levels of phenol (0 and 15 mg/kg DW) were included in the experimental design. We found that phenols facilitated increasing concentrations of exchangeable cadmium (Ex-Cd), acid volatile sulfide (AVS) and reactive solid-phase Fe (II) in sediments, and iron in plants, but inhibited Cd accumulation in iron plaque and roots. The concentrations of AVS and reactive solid-phase Fe (II) were significantly positively correlated with Cd treatment. As for the biogeochemical behavior of Cd in mangrove sediments, this research revealed that phenols facilitated activation and mobility of Cd. They disturbed the "source-sink" balance of Cd and turned it into a "source", whilst decreasing Cd absorption in A. marina. Additionally, phenols facilitated iron absorption in the plant and alleviated the Fe limit for mangrove plant growth.

Red mud (RM)-Induced enhancement of iron plaque formation reduces arsenic and metal accumulation in two wetland plant species

Human activities have resulted in arsenic (As) and heavy metals accumulation in paddy soils in China. Phytoremediation has been suggested as an effective and low-cost method to clean up contaminated soils. A combined soil-sand pot experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of red mud (RM) supply on iron plaque formation and As and heavy metal accumulation in two wetland plant species (Cyperus alternifolius Rottb., Echinodorus amazonicus Rataj), using As and heavy metals polluted paddy soil combined with three rates of RM application (0, 2%, 5%). The results showed that RM supply significantly decreased As and heavy metals accumulation in shoots of the two plants due to the decrease of As and heavy metal availability and the enhancement of the formation of iron plaque on the root surface and in the rhizosphere. Both wetland plants supplied with RM tended to have more Fe plaque, higher As and heavy metals on roots and in their rhizospheres, and were more tolerant of As and heavy metal toxicity. The results suggest that RM-induced enhancement of the formation of iron plaque on the root surface and in the rhizosphere of wetland plants may be significant for remediation of soils contaminated with As and heavy metals.

Constructed wetlands as sustainable ecotechnologies in decentralization practices: a review

Recently, a range of novel and cost-effective engineered wetland technologies for decentralization practices of domestic wastewater treatment have been developed with ecological process modification, the use of functionalized plants, and advanced biofilm formation. However, selecting the one that can be more appreciated for on-site sanitation is still uncertain. This paper reviews the role of plants, media materials, microorganisms, and oxygen transfer in domestic wastewater purification through constructed wetlands (CWs). The effectiveness of traditional and recently developed CWs and the necessity of an induced biofilm attachment surface (BAS) in these systems for the treatment of domestic sewage are presented. This review also elucidates the idea of CWs for domestic wastewater characteristics highly stressed by total dissolved solids and the adaptive strategies in mitigating the cold climate impacts on their efficiencies. Further research needed to enhance the stability and sustainability of CWs is highlighted. By a more advanced investigation, BAS CWs can be specified as an ideal treatment process in decentralization.

Effects of silicon (Si) on arsenic (As) accumulation and speciation in rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes with different radial oxygen loss (ROL)

Arsenic (As) contamination of paddy soils has adversely affected the health of millions of people those consuming rice for staple food. The present study was aimed at investigating the effects of silicon (Si) fertilization on As uptake, speciation in rice plants with different radial oxygen loss (ROL). Six genotypes were planted in pot soils under greenhouse conditions until late tillering state. The results showed that the rates of ROL were higher in hybrid rice genotypes varying from 19.76 to 27 μmol O2 g(-1) root dry weight h(-1) than that in conventional indica rice genotypes varying from 9.55 to 15.41 μmol O2 g(-1) root dry weight h(-1). Si addition significantly increased straw biomass (p<0.005), but with no significant effects on root biomass. Si fertilization significantly reduced shoot and root total As concentrations (p<0.001) in six genotypes grown in 40 mg As/kg soil. Si addition decreased the inorganic As in shoots of 'Xiangfengyou-9' with lower ROL and 'Xiangwanxian-12' with higher ROL by 31% and 25% respectively and had the tendency to increase DMA concentrations. It is potential to reduce As contamination of rice efficiently by combining Si fertilization and selecting genotypes with high radial oxygen loss.

Performance of high-rate constructed phytoremediation process with attached growth for domestic wastewater treatment: effect of high TDS and Cu

Domestic wastewater treatment under specific influent conditions seriously stressed with total dissolved solids (TDS) and copper (Cu) metal was examined by a laboratory-scale model of the phytoremediation process with the attached growth system using Typha sp. As compared with conventional wetland systems, the process showed more stability and improved performance (88 ± 1.1% BOD5, 73 ± 1.0% NH3-N, 48 ± 2.0% PO4-P) at high organic loading rate (314 ± 18 g BOD5/m(3)/d) either in the presence of high TDS (∼2500 mg/L) or Cu metal (∼30 mg/L). Typha sp. could tolerate TDS concentrations up to 2500 mg/L. Cu-contaminated sewage can cause plant morphological deformities if the metal exceeds the saturation limit of 2416 and 21,036 mg/kg Cu in the shoots and roots, respectively. A minor reduction in the TDS (21%) was observed at the highest tolerable limit, whereas 67% reduction of Cu was observed at the process effluent. The process holds a great promise for main advantages of improved biofilm formation, reduced footprint, energy savings and increased efficiency in domestic wastewater treatment even under unfavorable conditions stressed by TDS and Cu.

Dynamic changes in radial oxygen loss and iron plaque formation and their effects on Cd and As accumulation in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Temporal variations and correlations between radial oxygen loss (ROL), iron (Fe) plaque formation, cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) accumulation were investigated in two rice cultivars at four different growth stages based upon soil pot and deoxygenated solution experiments. The results showed that there were significant differences in ROL (1.1-16 μmol O(2) plant(-1) h(-1)), Fe plaque formation (4,097-36,056 mg kg(-1)), Cd and As in root tissues (Cd 77-162 mg kg(-1); As 49-199 mg kg(-1)) and Fe plaque (Cd 0.4-24 mg kg(-1); As 185-1,396 mg kg(-1)) between these growth stages. ROL and Fe plaque increased dramatically from tillering to ear emergence stages and then were much reduced at the grain-filling stage. Furthermore, significantly positive correlations were detected between ROL and concentrations of Fe, Cd and As in Fe plaque. Our study indicates that increased Fe plaque forms on rice roots at the ear emergence stage due to the increased ROL. This stage could therefore be an important period to limit the transfer and distribution of Cd and As in rice plants when growing in soils contaminated with these toxic elements.

Do arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi affect arsenic accumulation and speciation in rice with different radial oxygen loss?

The effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on the temporal variation of arsenic (As) speciation and accumulation in two paddy rice cultivars (TD 71 and Xiushui 11) with different degrees of radial oxygen loss (ROL) at three growth periods (day 7, day 35, day 63 after flooding the soil) were investigated in soil, spiked with and without 30 mg As kg(-1). The results showed that TD 71 with high ROL colonized by Glomus intraradices led to higher root colonization rates than Xiushui 11 at three growth periods, both in soil with or without 30 mg As kg(-1) (p<0.05). Mycorrhizal inoculation led to elevated (p<0.05) root ratios of arsenite (As(III)) conc./arsenate (As(V)) conc. (concentration) in TD 71 with high ROL at three growth periods in As contaminated flooding soils. Furthermore, the ratios of As(III) conc./As(V) conc. in roots of TD71 were significantly more than Xiushui 11 when colonized by AMF at three growth periods in 30 mg As kg(-1) soil (p<0.05). Therefore, rice with high ROL can favor AM fungal infection and enhance root ratio of As(III) conc./As(V) conc. in the presence of AMF.

Modelling of arsenic retention in constructed wetlands

A new model was developed in order to simulate the most significant arsenic retention processes that take place in constructed wetlands (CWs) treating high arsenic waters. The present contribution presents the implementation phases related to plants (arsenic uptake and accumulation, root arsenic adsorption, and root oxygen release), showing the first simulation results of the complete model. Different approaches with diverse influent configurations were simulated. In terms of total arsenic concentrations in effluent, the simulated data closely matched the data measured in all evaluated cases. The iron and arsenic species relationships, and the arsenic retention percentages obtained from simulations, were in agreement with the experimental data and literature. The arsenic retention efficiency increased whenever a new phase was implemented, reaching a maximum efficiency range of 85-95%. According to the quality of the obtained results, it can be considered that the implementation of all steps of RCB-ARSENIC provided reasonably good response values.

Root iron plaque formation and characteristics under N2 flushing and its effects on translocation of Zn and Cd in paddy rice seedlings (Oryza sativa)

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Anoxic conditions are seldom considered in root iron plaque induction of wetland plants in hydroponic experiments, but such conditions are essential for root iron plaque formation in the field. Although ferrous ion availability and root radial oxygen loss capacity are generally taken into account, neglect of anoxic conditions in root iron plaque formation might lead to an under- or over-estimate of their functional effects, such as blocking toxic metal uptake. This study hypothesized that anoxic conditions would influence root iron plaque formation characteristics and translocation of Zn and Cd by rice seedlings.

METHODS

A hydroponic culture was used to grow rice seedlings and a non-disruptive approach for blocking air exchange between the atmosphere and the induction solution matrix was applied for root iron plaque formation, namely flushing the headspace of the induction solution with N2 during root iron plaque induction. Zn and Cd were spiked into the solution after root iron plaque formation, and translocation of both metals was determined.

KEY RESULTS

Blocking air exchange between the atmosphere and the nutrient solution by N2 flushing increased root plaque Fe content by between 11 and 77 % (average 31 %). The N2 flushing treatment generated root iron plaques with a smoother surface than the non-N2 flushing treatment, as observed by scanning electron microscopy, but Fe oxyhydroxides coating the rice seedling roots were amorphous. The root iron plaques sequestrated Zn and Cd and the N2 flushing enhanced this effect by approx. 17 % for Zn and 71 % for Cd, calculated by both single and combined additions of Zn and Cd.

CONCLUSIONS

Blocking of oxygen intrusion into the nutrient solution via N2 flushing enhanced root iron plaque formation and increased Cd and Zn sequestration in the iron plaques of rice seedlings. This study suggests that hydroponic studies that do not consider redox potential in the induction matrices might lead to an under-estimate of metal sequestration by root iron plaques of wetland plants.

Can acid volatile sulfides (AVS) influence metal concentrations in the macrophyte Myriophyllum aquaticum?

The difference between the molar concentrations of simultaneously extracted metals (SEM) and acid volatile sulfides (AVS) is widely used to predict metal availability toward invertebrates in hypoxic sediments. However, this model is poorly investigated for macrophytes. The present study evaluates metal accumulation in roots and stems of the macrophyte Myriophyllum aquaticum during a 54 day lab experiment. The macrophytes, rooting in metal contaminated, hypoxic, and sulfide rich field sediments were exposed to surface water with 40% or 90% oxygen. High oxygen concentrations in the 90% treatment resulted in dissolution of the metal-sulfide complexes and a gradual increase in labile metal concentrations during the experiment. However, the general trend of increasing availability in the sediment with time was not translated in rising M. aquaticum metal concentrations. Processes at the root-sediment interface, e.g., radial oxygen loss (ROL) or the release of organic compounds by plant roots and their effect on metal availability in the rhizosphere may be of larger importance for metal accumulation than the bulk metal mobility predicted by the SEM-AVS model.

The effects of radial oxygen loss on arsenic tolerance and uptake in rice and on its rhizosphere

Understanding the complex biotic and abiotic interactions invoked by the rice root system in oxygen-depleted soil is an important step in screening genotypes for low toxic metal or metalloid accumulation. A hydroponic and a rhizobox experiment have been conducted to explore the effects of varying root oxygen release on chemical changes, As fractionation in rhizosphere soil and Fe plaque formation, As uptake and tolerance by different rice genotypes. The results showed that rice genotypes with higher rates of radial oxygen loss (ROL) and at the bolting stage, tended to have greater effects on rhizosphere Eh, pH, Fe(3+)/Fe(2+) quotients, As fractionation and mobility and also on Fe plaque formation compared to those with lower ROL and at the tillering stage. Genotypes with higher ROL have a strong ability to reduce As accumulation in shoots and increase As tolerance by reducing As mobilization in the rhizosphere and by limiting As translocation.

Performance of Eleocharis macrostachya and its importance for arsenic retention in constructed wetlands

INTRODUCTION

Arsenic (As) can be removed from water via rhizofiltration using phytostabilizing plants. The aim of this study was to investigate the performance of Eleocharis macrostachya in constructed wetland prototypes, as well as the plant's arsenic mass retention and the distribution of As along the wetland flow gradient and the soil in the wetland mesocosmos.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Experiments were carried out in laboratory-scale wetland prototypes, two planted with E. macrostachya and one without plants. Samples of water were taken at the inlet and outlet of the wetlands during the 33-week test period. At the end of the experiment, plants and soil (silty-sand) from each prototype were divided in three equal segments (entrance, middle and exit) and analyzed for their arsenic content. Results revealed that the planted wetlands have a higher As-mass retention capacity (87-90% of the total As inflow) than prototypes without plants (27%).

RESULTS

As mass balance in the planted wetlands revealed that 78% of the total inflowing As was retained in the soil bed. Nearly 2% was absorbed in the plant roots, 11% was flushed as outflow, and the fate of the remaining 9% is unknown. In the prototype without plants, the soil retained 16% of As mass, 72% of the arsenic was accounted for in the outflow, and 12% was considered unknown. Although E. macrostachya retained only 2% of the total arsenic mass in their roots, its presence was a determining factor for arsenic retention in the wetland soil medium.

CONCLUSION

Hence, planted wetlands might be a suitable option for treating As-contaminated water.

Cadmium accumulation in and tolerance of rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties with different rates of radial oxygen loss

Cadmium (Cd) uptake and tolerance were investigated among 20 rice cultivars based on a field experiment (1.2 mg Cd kg⁻¹ in soil) and a soil pot trial (control, 100 mg Cd kg⁻¹), and rates of radial oxygen loss (ROL) were measured under a deoxygenated solution. Significant differences were found among the cultivars in: (1) brown rice Cd concentrations (0.11-0.29 mg kg⁻¹) in a field soil, (2) grain Cd tolerance (34-113%) and concentrations (2.1-6.5 mg kg⁻¹) in a pot trial, and (3) rates of ROL (15-31 mmol O₂ kg⁻¹ root d.w. h⁻¹). Target hazard quotients were calculated for the field experiment to assess potential Cd risk. Significant negative relationships were found between rates of ROL and concentrations of Cd in brown rice or straw under field and greenhouse conditions, indicating that rice cultivars with higher rates of ROL had higher capacities for limiting the transfer of Cd to rice and straw.