Effects of Pb and Ni stress on oxidative stress parameters in three moss species

Antioxidative responses of the mosses Hypnum plumaeforme, Thuidium cymbifolium, and Brachythecium piligerum to short-term Pb and Ni stress were investigated. Both Pb and Ni treatment increased the formation of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation, decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activities in H. plumaeforme and T. cymbifolium. However, SOD activity in B. piligerum was increased under 10 mM Pb stress and Ni increased CAT activity in B. piligerum under 1 mM Ni stress. Peroxidase (POX) activity in the three mosses was increased by Pb and Ni exposure, indicating that POX plays an important role in preventing heavy metal-induced oxidative stress. The accumulation of O₂⁻ and H₂O₂ in mosses is related to the decline in SOD and CAT activities. B. piligerum is the most sensitive and T. cymbifolium is the most tolerant species to Pb and Ni stress among the three bryophytes.