Cadmium-induced oxidative stress and the response of the antioxidative defense system in Spartina densiflora

Evaluating the Accumulation of Antioxidant and Macro- and Trace Elements in Vaccinium myrtillus L

This study was conducted in order to characterise the accumulation ability of Vaccinium myrtillus L for trace elements such as Al, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn and selected macroelements Ca, K, Mg, Na and P. The accumulation of nutrient elements and trace elements (ANE and ATE) and changes in the ecophysiological responses in bilberry in differently polluted areas were compared. The accumulation of the elements in the roots, stems and leaves of bilberry from four sites (in the nearest vicinity of a zinc smelter, a Mining and Metallurgical Plant, a main road with a high traffic volume and an unprotected natural forest community) were measured using optical emission spectrometry with excitation using inductively coupled argon plasma after wet acid digestion. The highest Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn concentrations were found in the V. myrtillus samples that were growing under the influence of the emissions from the zinc smelter. Moreover, the level of the total accumulated trace metals (ATE-17.09 mmolc kg-1) was also highest for the bilberry at this site. However, in the same area, the sum of the accumulated macronutrients (ANE-296.92 mmolc kg-1) was lower than at the other sampling sites. An EF > 2 was found for Cd, Pb, Zn and Mn, which suggests that bilberries may be enriched in these metals. According to the translocation factor, V. myrtillus was an accumulator of Cd, Zn and Mn. An analysis of the ecophysiological responses showed that the greatest concentration of ascorbic acid was found in the leaves of V. myrtillus at the most contaminated site (3.32 mg g-1 fresh weight). There were no significant differences in the total phenols between the contaminated and non-contaminated sites. However, the lowest value of the total phenolic content (490.77 mg g-1 dry weight) was recorded at the site where the highest Fe concentration was detected in the leaves. A significantly positive correlation between the Cd, Pb and Zn concentrations and a strong negative correlation between the Mn concentration and ascorbic acid content in the leaves of bilberry was also observed. The results provide evidence that the ANE method, which is used to interpret the chemical composition of bilberry has made determining the impact of toxic trace metals on the mineral composition of V. myrtillus significantly easier and also that a non-enzymatic antioxidant such as ascorbic acid can be a good biomarker for determining the oxidative stress that is caused by toxic trace metals.

Cadmium Phytotoxicity, Tolerance, and Advanced Remediation Approaches in Agricultural Soils; A Comprehensive Review

Cadmium (Cd) is a major environmental contaminant due to its widespread industrial use. Cd contamination of soil and water is rather classical but has emerged as a recent problem. Cd toxicity causes a range of damages to plants ranging from germination to yield suppression. Plant physiological functions, i.e., water interactions, essential mineral uptake, and photosynthesis, are also harmed by Cd. Plants have also shown metabolic changes because of Cd exposure either as direct impact on enzymes or other metabolites, or because of its propensity to produce reactive oxygen species, which can induce oxidative stress. In recent years, there has been increased interest in the potential of plants with ability to accumulate or stabilize Cd compounds for bioremediation of Cd pollution. Here, we critically review the chemistry of Cd and its dynamics in soil and the rhizosphere, toxic effects on plant growth, and yield formation. To conserve the environment and resources, chemical/biological remediation processes for Cd and their efficacy have been summarized in this review. Modulation of plant growth regulators such as cytokinins, ethylene, gibberellins, auxins, abscisic acid, polyamines, jasmonic acid, brassinosteroids, and nitric oxide has been highlighted. Development of plant genotypes with restricted Cd uptake and reduced accumulation in edible portions by conventional and marker-assisted breeding are also presented. In this regard, use of molecular techniques including identification of QTLs, CRISPR/Cas9, and functional genomics to enhance the adverse impacts of Cd in plants may be quite helpful. The review's results should aid in the development of novel and suitable solutions for limiting Cd bioavailability and toxicity, as well as the long-term management of Cd-polluted soils, therefore reducing environmental and human health hazards.

Subcellular distribution, chemical forms, and physiological response to cadmium stress in Hydrilla verticillata

This study investigated the subcellular distribution and chemical forms of cadmium (Cd) in Hydrilla verticillata and the physiological mechanism underlying H. verticillata responses to Cd stress. Hydrilla verticillata was grown in a hydroponic system and was treated with various Cd concentrations (0, 10, 50, 100, 125, and 150 µM) for 7 days. Cadmium analysis of the leaves at the subcellular level showed that Cd was mainly stored in the soluble fraction (77.98-83.62%) and in smaller quantities in the cell wall fraction (11.99-17.30%) and the cell organelles (4.30-4.88%). The Cd taken up by H. verticillata was in different chemical forms. In the leaves and stems, the Cd was mostly extracted using 1 M NaCl and smaller amounts of Cd were extracted using 2% acetic acid. The malondialdehyde content significantly increased at all Cd concentrations, which indicated oxidative stress. The superoxide dismutase, guaiacol peroxidase, and catalase activities were enhanced. The proline, ascorbate, and glutathione contents increased at lower Cd concentrations, but decreased consistently as the Cd concentration rose. These results suggest that H. verticillata can be successfully used in the phytoremediation of Cd-contaminated water.

PGPR Reduce Root Respiration and Oxidative Stress Enhancing Spartina maritima Root Growth and Heavy Metal Rhizoaccumulation

The present study aims to unravel ecophysiological mechanisms underlying plant-microbe interactions under natural abiotic stress conditions, specifically heavy metal pollution. Effect of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) bioaugmentation on Spartina maritima in vivo root respiration and oxidative stress was investigated. This autochthonous plant is a heavy metal hyperaccumulator cordgrass growing in one of the most polluted estuaries in the world. The association with native PGPR is being studied with a view to their biotechnological potential in environmental decontamination. As a novelty, the oxygen-isotope fractionation technique was used to study the in vivo activities of cytochrome oxidase (COX) and alternative oxidase (AOX) pathways. Inoculated plants showed decreased antioxidant enzymatic activities and in vivo root respiration rates. The reduction in respiratory carbon consumption and the stress alleviation may explain the increments observed in S. maritima root biomass and metal rhizoaccumulation after inoculation. For the first time, plant carbon balance and PGPR are interrelated to explain the effect of rhizobacteria under abiotic stress.

Effect of fluoride on photosynthetic pigment content and antioxidant system of Hydrilla verticillata

Fluoride can either inhibit or enhance the growth of aquatic macrophytes, depending upon fluoride concentration and exposure time. To investigate fluoride toxicity, the submerged plant Hydrilla verticillata was treated with various concentrations of fluoride (F) (0, 10, 20, and 40 mg/L) for different lengths of time (7, 14, 21, and 28 days). At exposure to 10 mg/L F, the content of chlorophyll, protein, and carbohydrates content increased in leaves of H. verticillata, and the activity of guaiacol peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) slightly increased in plants compared with the control. When fluoride concentration increased to 20 mg/L, the toxic effect generated by fluoride led to a reduction of chlorophyll, protein, and carbohydrates in H. verticillata, but the activity of guaiacol peroxidase and SOD and the amount of ascorbic acid (AsA) and glutathione (GSH) were enhanced significantly. After exposure to fluoride at 40 mg/L for a long period, these physiological parameters showed a sharp decrease, and inactivation was observed in H. verticillata. These results suggested that a certain concentration of fluoride induced antioxidant response, and excess fluoride induced metabolism imbalance and oxidative damage in H. verticillata.

Biochemical adaptations of four submerged macrophytes under combined exposure to hypoxia and hydrogen sulphide

A hydroponic experiment was performed to investigate the stress responses and biochemical adaptations of four submerged macrophytes, Potamogeton crispus, Myriophyllum spicatum, Egeria densa, and Potamogeton oxyphyllus, to the combined exposure of hypoxia and hydrogen sulfide (H2S, provided by NaHS). The investigated plants were subjected to a control, hypoxia, 0.1mM NaHS, 0.5 mM NaHS, 0.1 mM NaHS+hypoxia and 0.5 mM NaHS+hypoxia conditions. All experimental plants grew optimally under control, hypoxic and NaHS conditions in comparison to that grown in the combined exposure of hypoxia and hydrogen sulfide. For P. crispus and M. spicatum, significant decreases of total chlorophyll and increases in oxidative stress (measured by hydrogen peroxide, H2O2, and malondialdehyde, MDA) were observed with exposure to both sulfide concentrations. However, the decrease in catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) from exposure to 0.5 mM NaHS suggests that the function of the protective enzymes reached their limit under these conditions. In contrast, for E. densa and P. oxyphyllus, the higher activities of the three antioxidative enzymes and their anaerobic respiration abilities (ADH activity) resulted in higher tolerance and susceptibility under high sulfide concentrations.

Effects of Cadmium on Phenolic Composition and Antioxidant Activities of Erica andevalensis

We evaluated the effects of cadmium on phenolic composition of Erica andevalensis, an endemic protected heather that grows in mine affected soils. Plants cultivated under laboratory-controlled conditions were exposed to acute doses of cadmium to investigate the mechanisms this species possesses to survive in the presence of toxic metals in its natural habitat. Cadmium increased the total levels of phenolics and flavonoids compounds, and the total antioxidant capacity. Cinnamic acid derivatives, epicatechin, and rutin were increased in the presence of cadmium when applied in levels that did not alter the ratio of chlorophylls. Phenolic compounds play an important role in the metabolism of E. andevalensis to survive in heavy metal polluted soils.