Terrestrial Invertebrate Arsenic Accumulation Associated With an Arsenic Hyperaccumulating Fern, Pteris vittata (Polypodiales: Pteridaceae)

Arsenic and mercury exposure in different insect trophic guilds from mercury mining areas in Mexico

The exposure to arsenic and mercury in various insect trophic guilds from two mercury mining sites in Mexico was assessed. The two study sites were La Laja (LL) and La Soledad (LS) mines. Additionally, a reference site (LSR) was evaluated for LS. The terrestrial ecosystem was studied at LL, whereas both the terrestrial ecosystem and a stream called El Cedral (EC) were assessed at LS. The study sites are situated in the Biosphere Reserve Sierra Gorda (BRSG). Mercury vapor concentrations were measured with a portable analyzer, and concentrations of arsenic and mercury in environmental and biological samples were determined through atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Both pollutants were detected in all terrestrial ecosystem components (soil, air, leaves, flowers, and insects) from the two mines. The insect trophic guilds exposed included pollinivores, rhizophages, predators, coprophages, and necrophages. In LS, insects accumulated arsenic at levels 29 to 80 times higher than those found in specimens from LSR, and 10 to 46 times higher than those from LL. Similarly, mercury exposure in LS was 13 to 62 times higher than LSR, and 15 to 54 times higher than in LL. The analysis of insect exposure routes indicated potential exposure through air, soil, leaves, flowers, animal prey, carrion, and excrement. Water and sediment from EC exhibited high levels of arsenic and mercury compared to reference values, and predatory aquatic insects were exposed to both pollutants. In conclusion, insects from mercury mining sites in the BRSG are at risk.

Transfer and biological effects of arsenate from soil through a plant-aphid system to the parasitoid wasp, Aphidius colemani

The accumulation of metalloid elements during transfer from contaminated soil to higher trophic levels may potentially result in the exposure of parasitic arthropods to toxic concentrations of these elements. This study examined the transfer of arsenate (As(V)) to aphids (Myzus persicae) from pepper plants cultivated in As(V) contaminated soils of two concentrations (2 and 6 mg As(V)/kg dry soil), and the subsequent biological effects on the aphid parasitoid, Aphidius colemani. Results showed that considerable quantities of As(V) were transferred to the plant in a concentration-dependent manner and were partitioned in the plant parts in the order of roots > stems > leaves. The accumulation of As(V) in the aphids increased with the concentrations in the plants; however, the transfer coefficient of As(V) from leaf to aphid was relatively similar and constant (0.07-0.08) at both soil As(V) concentration levels. Increased levels of As(V) significantly affected fecundity and honeydew production in aphids, but survival and developmental time were unaffected. Fecundity (mummification rate) of the parasitoid was not impaired by host As(V) contamination; however, vitality (eclosion rate) was significantly affected. Results are discussed in relation to possible ecological risks posed by the transfer of soil As(V) via the plant-arthropod system to parasitoid arthropods in agroecosystems.

From sea squirts to squirrelfish: facultative trace element hyperaccumulation in animals

The hyperaccumulation of trace elements is a widely characterized phenomenon in plants, bacteria, and fungi, but has received little attention in animals. However, there are numerous examples of animals that specifically and facultatively accumulate trace elements in the absence of elevated environmental concentrations. Metal hyperaccumulating animals are usually marine invertebrates, likely owing to environmental (e.g. constant exposure via the water) and physiological (e.g. osmoconforming and reduced integument permeability) factors. However, there are examples of terrestrial animals (insect larvae) and marine vertebrates (e.g. squirrelfish) that accumulate high body and/or tissue metal burdens. This review examines examples of animal hyperaccumulation of the elements arsenic, copper, iron, titanium, vanadium and zinc, describing mechanisms by which accumulation occurs and, where possible, hypothesizing functional roles. Groups such as the ascidians (sea squirts), molluscs (gastropods, bivalves and cephalopods) and polychaete annelids feature prominently as animals with hyperaccumulating capacity. Many of these species are potential model organisms offering insight into fundamental processes underlying metal handling, with relevance to human disease and aquatic metal toxicity, and some offer promise in applied fields such as bioremediation.

Effect of rhizobacteria on arsenic uptake by macrophyte Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms

Wastewater flowing in streams and nallahs across India carries several trace metals, including metalloid arsenic (As), which are considered serious environmental contaminants due to their toxicity, and recalcitrant nature. In this study, we determined the phytoremediation of As by Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms either alone or in association with plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria. Pseudomonas and Azotobacter inoculation to E. crassipes resulted in enhanced As removal compared to uninoculated control. Co-inoculation with a consortium of Pseudomonas, Azotobacter, Azospirillum, Actinomyces, and Bacillus resulted in a higher As (p < 0.05) phytoaccumulation efficiency. P. aeruginosa strain jogii was found particularly effective in augmenting As removal by E. crassipes. Our findings indicate that the synergistic association of E. crassipes and various rhizobacteria is an effective strategy to enhance removal of As and thus may be utilized as an efficient biological alternative for the removal of this metalloid from wastewaters.