Seasonal changes of metal accumulation and distribution in common club rush (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Schoenoplectus lacustris</Emphasis>) and common reed (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Phragmites australis</Emphasis>)

In this study, two aquatic macrophytes Phragmites australis and Schoenoplectus lacustris and corresponding sediment samples were collected every three months from Lake Sapanca (Turkey) and analysed for their heavy-metal contents (Pb, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Zn and Cd). Accumulation factor ratios of plant parts were calculated for all metals, and the two species were compared in terms of accumulation properties. The highest concentrations were measured in the root systems while relatively low concentrations were found in the rhizome and above-ground parts of the plants. The accumulation ratios of root for P. australis were usually higher than the ratios for S. lacustris. While the accumulation ratios of root were higher in winter than in the other seasons for P. australis, for S. lacustris the highest accumulation ratios were found in the autumn. Both plant species were found to be root accumulators of Pb, Cu, Mn, Ni, Zn and Cd.     

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.     

Metal bioaccumulation in selected tissues of barb (Barbus sp.) and common carp (Cyprinus carpio,Linnaeus 1758) from the Keban Dam Lake,Turkey

Abstract

The aquatic life has been negatively influenced by harmful effects of environmental toxic elements, including heavy metals. The elevated concentrations of metals may be harmful for aquatic animals and human health. Herein, the present study deals with assessment of the bioavailability of metals [cadmium (Cd), chrome (Cr), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), and selenium (Se)] in organs such as muscle, gills, liver, kidney, and gonad of the commercially consumed Barbus sp. and Cyprinus carpio (Linnaeus, 1758) collected from Keban Dam Lake, eastern Turkey. The fish were captured from four different stations of Keban Dam Lake. Our results indicated that Fe and Zn concentrations were the highest in all tissues of two fish species while Cd concentrations were the lowest levels. In addition, detected metals accumulated in the muscle of common carp at higher levels compared to Barbus sp. The results from the present study also demonstrated significant variations and considerable differences in the concentrations of all 10 elements between the four stations and different fish tissues. Overall, the concentrations of detected metals in the muscle were many folds higher than the permissible level prescribed by some national and international legislation, which raises health risk concerns.     

Effects of vitamin A pretreatment on nickel-induced lipid peroxidation and concentration of essential metals in liver, kidney and lung of mice

In the present study we report the effects of pretreatment with large doses of vitamin A (Vit A, retinol) on hepatic, renal and pulmonary lipid peroxidation, and Ni and essential metal (Fe, Cu, Zn and Ca) concentrations in mice acutely exposed to nickel. Vitamin A (250 000 IU/kg per day) was administered by oral gavage to ICR mice for 7 days. On the 8th day, NiCl₂ (5 mg Ni/kg body wt.) was injected i.p. to Vit A- or vehicle-pretreated mice. Vitamin A pretreatment alone did not alter lipid peroxidation in liver, kidney and lung. Lipid peroxidation in liver, kidney and lung was increased after treatment with NiCl₂ alone. The extent of lipid peroxidation levels in Vit A+Ni treated mice was enhanced in liver, but reduced in kidney and lung. The Ni concentration in these three organs was below the detection limit (0.09 μg/g) in control and Vit A-pretreated mice. The accumulation of Ni in Vit A+Ni treated mice was increased in liver, but decreased in kidney and lung compared to Ni-treated mice. The concentrations of Fe, Cu, Zn and Ca in these organs were significantly increased in Ni-treated mice. In Vit A+Ni treated mice, compared to Ni-treated mice, hepatic Fe was significantly increased while Cu, Zn and Ca levels were reduced, but still higher than those of control and Vit A-treated mice. In the kidney of Vit A+Ni treated mice, the increase of Cu, Fe, and Zn but not Ca, was reduced and not significantly different from control and Vit A-treated mice. Pretreatment with Vit A reduced the increased Fe, Cu, Zn and Ca concentration in the lung caused by Ni injection. We therefore conclude that the effect of Vit A pretreatment on Ni toxicity is organ-dependent. Received: 9 December 1997 / Accepted: 29 January 1998     

Potential risk assessment of trace metals accumulation in food,water and edible tissue of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) farmed in Haraz River,northern Iran

This study focuses on the extent of Zn, Cu, Ni, Cd and Pb bioaccumulation in water, fish feed and the muscles of 40 rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) from four farmsalong Haraz River, Mazandaran Province, north of Iran. The dependence of bioaccumulation with food chain and environmental heavy metals concentration was specifically addressed. The potential human health risks due to consumption of rainbow trout have been assessed by estimated daily intake (EDI) and target hazard quotient (THQ) of aforementioned metals. The detected concentration ranges of the elements in the muscles, reported as μg.g^?1?dry weight, were as following: Zn (13.92–15.92), Cu (0.54–0.74), Ni (0.12–0.26), Cd (0.008–0.01) and Pb (0.25–0.57). The rank order of the levels of the heavy metals was: in edible tissue Zn?>?Cu?>?Pb?>?Ni?>?Cd; in water Pb?>?Zn?>?Cu?>?Ni?>?Cd; in fish feed Pb?>?Zn?>?Ni?>?Cu?>?Cd. In general, the concentrations of all target metals were positively correlated with fish feed contents, whereas negative correlations were observed between the metal concentrations and water. Risk assessments suggested that there isn’t potential ecological and human health risk.     

Trace element concentration and its risk assessment in common kilka (Clupeonella cultriventris caspia Bordin, 1904) from southern basin of Caspian Sea

This study evaluated the extent of metal levels of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg) in edible muscles of common kilka at Babolsar and Amirabad coastal regions from the southern basin of Caspian Sea. These values were compared with the WHO and the UNFAO safety standards regarding the amount of the abovementioned heavy metals in fish tissues (mg/kg w.w.). Results showed that Zn concentrations were highest among the trace elements examined, while concentrations of Hg were generally the lowest in the analyzed tissues. In the other hand, the accumulation of these elements was not significantly different between coastal regions (p?>?0.05). While accumulation of Cu and Mn at edible muscles of Clupeonella cultriventris were significant difference between two coastal regions (p??Cu?>?Cr?>?Cd?>?Ni?>?Mn?>?Pb?>?Hg. Furthermore, Pearson correlation revealed that Zn, Cu, Mn, Ni, Cr, Pb, Cd and Hg in edible muscles of C. cultriventris were not significantly correlated in length (R^2?<^?0.50; p?>?0.05), but it was significantly correlated in weight (p?C. cultriventris consumption.     

Effects of cadmium hyperaccumulation on the concentrations of four trace elements in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lonicera japonica</Emphasis> Thunb.

Hyperaccumulators are important in the phytoremediation of cadmium (Cd)-contaminated soil. In this study, Cd accumulation and the interactions between Cd and four other trace elements (Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn) in Lonicera japonica Thunb. were investigated. As a result of exposure to soil containing 50 mg kg⁻¹ Cd, stem and shoot Cd concentrations reached 344.49 ± 0.71 and 286.12 ± 9.38 μg g⁻¹ DW respectively, without showing symptoms of visible damage to the plants. This suggests that L. japonica has a strong tolerance to Cd. It is proposed that trace metal elements are involved in the Cd-detoxification mechanisms shown by hyperaccumulators. There is a synergistic interaction in accumulation and translocation between Cd and Fe and a significantly negative correlation between Cd and Cu or Zn concentrations in L. japonica plant tissues. The imbalanced trace element concentrations influences detoxification processes to Cd, therefore, L. japonica could be considered as a new Cd-hyperaccumulator model to investigate the metal tolerance strategies of plants.     

Plants as models for chromium and nickel risk assessment

The adverse effects of Cr(III), Cr(VI), and Ni(II) expressed as root and shoot growth inhibition, metal accumulation and translocation throughout plants, and genotoxicity study were examined. To examine phytoxicity and metal accumulation, Vicia sativa, Raphanus sativus, Zea mays and Sinapis alba plants were used. Except for S. alba root growth inhibition, Ni had the strongest inhibitory effect on root and shoot growth. The inhibitory rank order based on IC?? values was Ni(II) > Cr(VI) > Cr(III). Z. mays was the least sensitive to all metals. While the accumulation of Cr was higher in the roots than the upper plant parts, Ni transport to shoots was at least two times higher than that of Cr. The highest accumulation of Cr was found in Z. mays and that of Ni in V. sativa and Z. mays roots. For all plants, the translocation factor was higher for Cr(VI) than for Cr(III). The translocation factor for Ni was several times higher than those of Cr. For mutagenicity assay, root tips of V. sativa, R. sativus and Z. mays were used. All metals exerted a significant increase of chromosomal aberrations and the rank order of aberrations was: Cr(VI) > Ni(II) > Cr(III). Genotoxic effects of metals were also determined by analysis of micronuclei frequency in the pollen tetrads of Tradescantia plants. None of metals significantly stimulated micronuclei frequency and the genotoxic effect decreased in the following order: Cr(VI) ≥ Ni(II) > Cr(III).     

Isolation,cloning, and characterization of a partial novel aro A gene in common reed (Phragmites australis)

Abstract

Context: Among the essential amino acids, phenylalanine, tryptophan, and tyrosine are aromatic amino acids which are synthesized by the shikimate pathway in plants and bacteria. Herbicide glyphosate can inhibit the biosynthesis of these amino acids. So, identification of the gene tolerant to glyphosate is very important. It has been shown that the common reed or Phragmites australis Cav. (Poaceae) is relatively tolerant to glyphosate.

Objective: The aim of the current research is identification, cloning, sequencing, and registering of partial aro A gene of the common reed P. australis.

Materials and methods: The partial aro A gene of common reed (P. australis) was cloned in Escherichia coli and the amino acid sequence was identified/determined for the first time.

Results: This is the first report for isolation, cloning, and sequencing of a part of aro A gene from the common reed. A 670?bp fragment including two introns (86?bp and 289?bp) was obtained. The open reading frame (ORF) region in part of gene was encoded for 98 amino acids. Alignment showed high similarity among this region with Zea mays (L.) (Poaceae) (94.6%), Eleusine indica L. Gaertn (Poaceae) (94.2%), and Zoysia japonica Steud. (Poaceae) (94.2%). The alignment of amino acid sequence of the investigated part of the gene showed a homology with aro A from several other plants. This conserved region forms the enzyme active site.

Conclusion: The alignment results of nucleotide and amino acid residues with related sequences showed that there are some differences among them. The relative glyphosate tolerance in the common reed may be related to these differences.     

Particle size distribution of heavy metals in the urban air of Seoul,Korea

Atmospheric particulate matters (A.P.M.) were collected on quartz-fiber filters from March 1985 to May 1986, using the Andersen high-volume air sampler and contents of six heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Pb, Ni) in the A.P.M. were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. These heavy metals were divided into the three groups with respect to their particle size distribution. Fe and Mn were mainly associated with coarse particles (diameter >2.0 μm), but Pb and Ni were related fine particles (diameter <2.0 μm). Cu and Zn had mixed size distributions in both of them. In the seasonal variation of heavy metals, the contents of Fe and Mn in spring and Ni and Pb in winter were higher than any other season. There were high mutual correlation between Fe and Mn in coarse particles, and between Pb and Ni in fine particles.     

Use of Cathorops spixii as bioindicator of pollution of trace metals in the Santos Bay, Brazil

In the present study Cathorops spixii, was evaluated as a bioindicator fish for trace metal pollution. Concentrations of cobalt (Co), iron (Fe), selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) were determined by Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis in liver. Mercury (Hg) and methyl-mercury (MeHg) were analyzed by Cold Vapor Atomic Absorption Spectrometry in muscles and livers. High concentrations of Co, Fe, Se and Zn were observed in C. spixii from Santos Bay in comparison to fish collected in a non-polluted site in the same Brazilian coast. These trace metal concentrations were out of the permissible levels for human consumption. Although, Hg and MeHg levels were low, the C. spixii could still be used as an effective bioindicator to observe trace metal behaviors in the environment in function of the bioaccumulation process observed mainly by other analyzed trace metals. Thus, the use of this species is strongly recommended to monitor the effects and behavior of trace metal pollution in aquatic ecosystems in Brazil due to its bioaccumulation function.     

Efficiency in removing pollutants by constructed wetland purification systems in Poland

The aim of this study was to compare the efficiency between Phragmites communis, Salix viminalis, and Populus canadensis in removing the heavy metals Al, Ba, Mn, Ni, Sr, V, Zn, Cd, Cu, and Pb and the eutrophying macroelements phosphate, nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, chloride, sulfate, Ca, Mg, K, and Fe from sewage in subsurface flow constructed wetlands in Poland. The effectiveness of the sewage treatment system was higher in summer compared to winter for the removal of (1) all heavy metals, phosphate (P) and mineral nitrogen (N) for all of species, (2) sulfates (S) for Phragmites and Salix, (3) iron (Fe) for Salix, and (4) chloride (Cl) for Salix and Populus. Analysis of variance indicated that there was no significant difference between the purifications systems in phytoremediation of Mn; so all species were equally effective (99%, prob. level 0.001). The Salix wetland system was most effective in purification of water and removal of macroelements (24-82% in summer, 10-80% in winter with Fe 97%), Cd (58-71%), V (100%), and Zn (84-92%). The Phragmites system was most effective in purification and removal of Al (81-97%), Ba (70-95%), Pb (64-81%), and Sr (24-51%), while in the case of Cu (49-60%) and Ni (55-67%) the Populus wetland system proved most effective. The outflowing water of the wetlands contained elements in amounts exceeding the admissible levels as established for unpolluted water both in winter and summer. Therefore the effectiveness of the observed phytoremediation systems in this study was not sufficient alone to remove these elements and can be considered as a supplemental tool in purification of sewage.     

Accumulation of Trace Elements by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pistia stratiotes</Emphasis>: Implications for phytoremediation

The toxicity of eight potentially toxic trace elements (Ag, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn) to Pistia stratiotes was examined to determine if this plant showed sufficient tolerance and metal accumulation to be used to phytoremediate waste water and/or natural water bodies polluted with these heavy metals. Young plants of equal size were grown hydroponically and amended with 0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 1.0, 3.0 and 5.0 mM of each heavy metal individually for 21 days. Root elongation as well as emergence of new roots decreased significantly with increase in metal concentrations. The plant had the lowest and the highest tolerance indices for Hg and Zn respectively. The study indicated reduction in the rate of leaf expansion relative to metal type, their concentrations and the duration of exposure. A significant reduction in biomass production was observed in metal treated plants compared with the control plants. The relative growth rate of P. stratiotes was retarded by heavy metals under study. All trace elements accumulated to higher concentrations in root tissue rather than in shoot. Trace element accumulation in tissues and the bioconcentration factors were proportional to the initial concentration of individual metals in the growth medium and the duration of exposure. In terms of trace element removal, P. stratiotes presented differential accumulation and tolerance levels for different metals at similar treatment conditions. The implications of these results for phytoremediation are discussed.     

In vivo cytogenetic studies on rat’s bone-marrow cells of structurally related Schiff base complexes

The in vivo interactions of structurally-related Ni(II) and Fe(III) Schiff base complexes based on N-(8-quinolyl)salicylaldimine (HL¹) and N-(8-quinolyl)napthaldimine (HL²) ligands with DNA molecules in the bone-marrow cells of rats were demonstrated using chromosomal aberrations (CAs) assay. The complexes differ by one aromatic group on the aldehyde site of the Schiff base (basicity or lipophilicity), or by the type of the central metal ions (Ni(II) or Fe(III)). Animals were injected intraperitoneally (i.p) with different concentrations of each drug, and CAs were examined in bone-marrow cells, 15 hours later. A significant increase in the frequency of CAs was induced upon treatment with 15?mg / kg weight of L¹ complexes (P < 0.001), and not with L² complexes (P > 0.05). Also, the magnitude of aberrations induced by L¹-Ni(II) was higher than that induced by L¹-Fe(III) (P < 0.01). The binding data, estimated using UV-Visible absorption technique, showed that the metal binding of HL¹ was much greater than that of HL² and that the affinity of HL¹ towards Ni(II) is higher than that for Fe(III) ions. Thus, the trends in the presented in vivo results signify the important role of complex stability in predicting the clastogenicity of metal-ion-chelating Schiff base drugs.     

ZnO nanoparticles and root colonization by a beneficial pseudomonad influence essential metal responses in bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)

Abstract

Nanoparticles (NPs) incorporated into commercial products are reactive on plants. Here, the influence of a root-associated bacterium, Pseudomonas chlororaphis O6 (PcO6) on the responses of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) to commercial ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) was examined. ZnO NPs (250–1000?mg Zn/kg) significantly (p?=?0.05) impacted root elongation after 7 days; only at 1000?mg/kg was shoot growth significantly inhibited. Zn solubilized from ZnO NPs correlated with root growth inhibition (r^2?=?0.8709); solubility of Fe (r^2?=?0.916) and Mn (r^2?=?0.997), and shoot accumulation of Zn (r^2?=?0.9095), Fe (r^2?=?0.9422) and Mn (r^2?=?0.789). Root ferric reductase activity diminished 31% in NP-exposed plants. Amendments with Zn ions at 6?mg/kg, corresponding to Zn solubilized from the NPs, did not replicate the responses, suggesting a nano-specific contribution of the ZnO. Neither NPs (500?mg Zn/kg) nor Zn ions affected root colonization by PcO6. Siderophore production by PcO6 increased 17% by exposure to NPs and 11% with Zn ions (18?mg/kg). PcO6 restored plant ferric reduction under NP exposure, but decreased uptake of Zn and Fe, 58 and 18%, respectively, suggesting soil bacteria could reduce plant accumulation of metals under toxic exposure levels, while negatively affecting uptake of essential elements. Collectively, these findings demonstrated that growth and balance of essential metals in bean exposed to ZnO NPs were influenced by the NPs and bacterial colonization of NP-exposed roots, indicating subtle effects of NPs in plant nutrition.     

Effect of Pb toxicity on the growth and physiology of two ecotypes of Elsholtzia argyi and its alleviation by Zn

Hydroponics experiments were conducted to underpin the nature of interactions between Zn, an essential micronutrient and Pb, a nonessential element on plant growth and root morphology, as well as antioxidant adaptation in mined ecotype (ME) and nonmined ecotype (NME) of Elsholtzia argyi. Plants were exposed to 50 μM Pb having normal Zn (0.5 μM), and two other treatments of the same Pb with low (0.05 μM) and high (20 μM) Zn, respectively for 12 days. Application of Pb with normal Zn caused adverse effects on the overall growth and antioxidant capacity of both ecotypes, however; effects were more pronounced in NME. The addition of high Zn along with Pb improved the growth and antioxidant capacity of both the ecotypes, while low Zn failed to show significant changes in NME plants; however slightly aggravated the Pb toxicity in the plants of ME. Zinc antagonized Pb concentrations in root and stem of both ecotypes and leaf of ME, while no significant differences were noted in Pb concentrations of NME leaf. It is suggested that in E. argyi, mechanisms of Pb and Zn uptake and translocation as well as their interactions within the plant cell may be different for both ecotypes and need to be further investigated. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol, 2011.     

Comparison of dry, wet and microwave digestion methods for the multi element determination in some dried fruit samples by ICP-OES

The aim of this study was used to investigate the level of trace metals (Ba, Pb, Cd, Mn, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Mn, Zn, Sr and Fe) in some dried fruits (Prunus domestica L., Ficus carica L., Morus alba L., Vitis vinifera L., Prunus armeniaca L., and Malus domestica) samples from Turkey. Trace elements were determined by ICP-OES after dry, wet and microwave digestion methods in dried fruit samples. Validation of the proposed method was carried out by using a NIST-SRM 1515-Apple Leaves certified reference material. Element concentrations in dried fruit samples were 0.33–1.77 (Ba), 0.12–0.54 (Cd), 0.25–1.03 (Co), 0.45–2.30 (Cr), 0.43–2.74 (Cu), 0.56–4.87 (Mn), 0.61–2.54 (Ni), 0.40–2.14 (Pb), 2.16–6.54 (Zn), 0.83–12.02 (Al), 11.82–40.80 (Fe) and 0.16–6.34 (Sr) μg/g. The analytical parameters show that the microwave oven digestion procedure provided best results as compared to the wet and dry digestion procedures. The results were compared with the literature values.     

Some trace elements in front and rear dorsal ordinary muscles of wild and farmed bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus L. 1758) in the Turkish part of the eastern Mediterranean Sea

The levels of trace metals of front (F) and rear (R) dorsal ordinary muscles (dom) of wild and farmed bluefin tuna (BFT) were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. Wilds were obtained from Antalya Bay and farmed were taken from a fish farm in Ildir Bay (Izmir), during spring to early summer. The accuracy of the method was checked standard reference material (NRCC-DORM-2 Dogfish Muscle). Mean trace element content of the wild samples (Fdom and Rdom, respectively) was found as: Cu, 0.790 and 0.591; Mn, 0.084 and 0.096; Ni, 0.101 and 0.124; Zn, 4.788 and 5.577; Fe, 7.670 and 9.222 (μg g⁻¹ wet wt.). Values for farmed were detected as Cu, 0.581 and 0.453; Mn, 0.111 and 0.139; Ni, 0.072 and 0.092; Zn, 4.631 and 3.380; Fe, 4.957 and 7.156 (μg g⁻¹ wet wt.). The results were compared with literature values.