植物对土壤重金属镉抗性的研究进展

各种人类活动,如采矿、制革、冶炼、污水灌溉等引起土壤和水体重金属污染,严重威胁着植物生长和人类健康。重金属镉污染是其中最常见的一种。该文描述了受重金属镉胁迫时植物的生理机制及各种抑制表现,如线粒体的裂解,细胞的生长分裂、水分的吸收、光合作用受到抑制等;同时也从微生物和细胞分子生物学方面分析了植物对重金属胁迫的应对策略,它依赖于植物本身和周围生存微环境的通力合作,主要包括降低对重金属的利用、控制重金属的吸收、螯合重金属、促进重金属的排出、区室化重金属和对重金属诱导的活性氧基团进行解毒等几条途径。另外,植物体对土壤环境中重金属镉的吸收、转运和解毒是一个精密的调控过程,参与重金属吸收和排出的转运蛋白在整个调控过程中发挥关键作用,参与了吸收、螯合、区室化和代谢利用等关键步骤。非必需重金属转运蛋白分重金属吸收蛋白和重金属排出蛋白2大类,吸收蛋白主要有AtNRAMP、ZNT和OsIRT等,能够通过某一种或几种阳离子转运载体蛋白运输至植物体内;排除蛋白主要包括P1B型ATP酶、阳离子转运促进蛋白家族(CDF)和三磷酸结合盒转运蛋白(ATP-binding cassette transporter,ABC转运蛋白)3大蛋白家族,主要将重金属转运出细胞质或者将重金属转运进入植物体内的细胞器,转运蛋白在植物耐受重金属胁迫中起着积极的防御作用。该文探讨了植物对重金属镉胁迫的各种抗性机制,可为土壤重金属镉污染的修复如微生物修复、植物修复等提供一定的理论依据和应用指导。     

硅对水稻镉转运的抑制效应研究

为探究外源施加硅肥对水稻(Oryza sativa L.)镉积累和转运过程的抑制效应,采用盆栽试验的方法,以广西普遍种植水稻品种"中广香1号"为研究对象,在0、400、600和800 mg·kg~(-1) 4个硅肥(Na2Si O3)处理水平下,研究了不同硅肥施加量对水稻镉吸收转运及产量结构的影响。研究结果显示,糙米镉含量随硅肥用量的增加而显著下降(P0.05)。当硅肥用量为800 mg·kg~(-1)时,糙米镉含量最低,为0.39 mg·kg~(-1),相比对照(未施硅肥)减少了32.76%。与对照相比,施用硅肥可以提高土壤p H,且土壤有效态镉的含量随着施硅量的增加而显著降低,当施硅量为800 mg·kg~(-1)时,土壤中有效态镉含量显著低于未施硅处理,降幅达10.57%。研究发现硅肥抑制糙米积累镉与硅阻碍镉在水稻各部位的转运有关,土壤施硅促进水稻根表铁膜的形成,加强铁膜对镉的吸附作用,显著地降低镉从根系铁膜向根部和镉从根部向茎秆的转运(P0.05);随着硅肥施加量的增加,茎秆对镉的截留效果更显著,当硅肥用量为800 mg·kg~(-1)时,镉从根系铁膜向根部和镉从根部向茎秆的转运因子分别较对照下降了10.34%和15.79%。此外,硅肥处理下水稻产量明显高于对照,且结实率显著增加。因此,硅肥可作为降低水稻镉积累的有效农艺措施。     

Caco-2细胞模型评估金属人体生物有效性的研究进展

随着环境重金属污染的加剧和营养学的发展,人们越来越重视对重金属元素及营养金属元素肠道吸收过程的探讨及其生物有效性影响因素的研究。Caco-2细胞模型能有效的模拟人体小肠上皮细胞的转运与吸收过程,可结合基因技术、分子技术等手段用于研究人体肠道吸收物质的机制和影响因素。首先,总结了近年来利用Caco-2模型对镉、铬、铅、砷等多种重金属及铜、铁、锌、钙等多种营养金属在小肠内的吸收、转运方式、代谢机制及影响吸收、转运过程的各类条件等的研究工作,然后对Caco-2细胞模型研究方法及其在未来评估金属人体生物有效性的应用进行了展望。     

镉对油菜幼苗硫吸收、转运和分布的影响

采用营养液培养-同位素示踪法研究了镉(Cd2+浓度为10μmol.L-1和50μmol.L-1)对油菜幼苗(秦油9号)硫吸收、转运和分布的影响.结果表明,镉处理促进了油菜植株对硫的吸收.10μmol.L-1镉处理96 h油菜植株比对照组吸收的硫增加了36%,而且促进了硫向地上部的转运,有39.4%的硫被转运到植株的地上部,转运速率较对照组增加了50%.相同时间内,50μmol.L-1镉处理的油菜植株中的硫仅比对照组多3%,转运速率显著下降,但仍有25.9%的硫被转运至地上部.     

外加镉对水稻镉吸收、亚细胞分布及非蛋白巯基含量的影响

研究不同水稻(Oryza sativa)品种外加Cd处理下镉吸收特征、PCs(主要是非蛋白巯基)的解毒机制及从微观水平探寻亚细胞镉的分布状况,对了解不同水稻基因型的耐Cd机理有重要意义。通过盆栽实验研究了不同外加Cd处理对水稻体内Cd的吸收累积、亚细胞分布及非蛋白巯基含量的影响。结果表明,外加Cd胁迫显著诱导根合成NPT-SH,外加Cd及品种差异对水稻体内Cd的吸收具有不同程度的影响,两品种相比,不加Cd处理下,品种J196地上部Cd含量/根系Cd含量的比值高于中浙优1号;当外加Cd浓度达到5 mg·kg-1时,品种A根系向地上部转移的Cd远高于品种C,分为25.7%和7.4%;但在外加Cd处理达到25 mg·kg-1时,两品种间无显著差异。根中NPT-SH的诱导量与水稻根系内Cd的含量变化一致。外加Cd处理下,品种J196根系内NPT-SH含量均高于中浙优1号,从细胞水平上表明中浙优1号可能具有从根系向茎叶的高镉转运能力。同时以差速离心法探究Cd在两杂交水稻品种不同器官的亚细胞分布为根系细胞的Cd大部分存在于细胞壁中,占52.6%~83.2%,少部分存在于细胞可溶部分(细胞质),其镉含量分布的百分率为3.0%~10.1%,且根系细胞壁中J196的分布率高于中浙优1号;表明J196的根系细胞壁的具有较强的固Cd能力;和对照相比,外加Cd促使中浙优1号根系细胞内可溶物向地上部移动,且高Cd处理下,Cd在中浙优1号细胞内溶物的分配率大于J196,从而在亚细胞水平上推测了品种中浙优1号为高转运品种的可能机制。     

水稻幼苗镉积累特征和离体叶片耐镉性的基因型差异

水稻根系对镉(Cd)的富集能力和向地上部的转运效率直接决定着水稻地上部的Cd积累量,是影响稻米中镉含量的关键因素。提高水稻根系对Cd的阻控能力有助于降低南方稻区大米镉含量超标的风险。以水稻核心种质资源中的高Cd积累品种‘齐头白谷’和低Cd积累品种‘27760’的幼苗和离体叶片为材料,对其Cd吸收转运特性和耐镉能力进行了比较研究。结果表明,根系细胞壁和原生质体的Cd吸收动力学特征都符合米氏方程,‘齐头白谷’的Cd最大吸收速率F_(max)显著大于‘27760’,Km值无显著差异。当根际环境中的Cd浓度高于0.89μmol·L~(-1)时,‘齐头白谷’的细胞壁和原生质体的Cd积累速率显著高于‘27760’。地上部细胞壁和原生质体的Cd吸收速率与根系可溶性组分中的Cd浓度呈显著的线性正相关。当根系可溶性组分中的Cd浓度相近时,‘齐头白谷’地上部细胞壁和原生质体的Cd积累速率显著高于‘27760’。在0.89~8.9μmol·L~(-1)的Cd溶液中,‘齐头白谷’离体叶片的失绿速度明显低于‘27760’。‘齐头白谷’具有耐Cd能力强、Cd积累速率快和转运效率高的特点。水稻离体叶片的耐Cd能力和幼苗根系的Cd积累能力以及幼苗的Cd转运能力高度相关,它们都可作为快速鉴定低Cd积累品种的生理指标。     

镉胁迫下蓖麻对镉及矿质元素的富集特征

目前中国农田遭受镉污染的情况日益严重。蓖麻(Ricinus communis L.)是一种能源作物,同时对镉有较高的耐性和富集能力,因此利用蓖麻资源为合理利用镉污染农田提供了一种可行的途径。在温室条件下(5~32℃)采用盆栽试验,设定2个镉质量分数梯度(2.396和5.396 mg·kg-1),研究镉胁迫下30种蓖麻品种茎、叶和果实对镉和矿质元素(铝、钼、铜、钙、锌、硫、磷、镁、锰和铁)吸收和富集特征,以及矿质营养元素与镉富集的相关性。结果表明:镉在不同组织的分布情况为茎叶果实,铝、钼、硫、锰和铁在不同组织的分布为叶果实茎,钙和镁在不同组织的分布为叶茎果实,铜、锌和磷在不同组织的分布为果实叶茎。在低镉质量分数(2.396 mg·kg-1)处理条件下,茎、叶和果实中镉质量分数变化范围分别为0.600~1.670、0.310~1.970和0.130~0.909 mg·kg-1,平均值分别为1.030、0.831和0.362 mg·kg-1。在高镉质量分数(5.396mg·kg-1)处理条件下,茎、叶和果实中镉质量分数变化范围分别为1.012~4.032、0.698~3.514和0.227~1.525 mg·kg-1,平均值分别为1.964、1.583和0.694 mg·kg-1。蓖麻茎、叶和果实对镉和矿质元素(铝、钼、铜、钙、锌、硫、磷、镁、锰和铁)的富集受蓖麻品种和土壤中镉含量的显著影响。钙、硫、镁、铁的积累与镉的吸收呈显著正相关关系;锌、锰、铜、磷的积累与镉的吸收呈显著负相关关系,而铝、钼的积累与镉的吸收无显著相关关系。因此,合理调控污染土壤中矿质元素的含量可以提高蓖麻对镉污染土壤的修复效率。     

农田离子型新兴有机污染物的作物吸收、分布和转化机制研究进展

农田新兴有机污染物可通过作物吸收进入食物链从而威胁人体健康,其中,离子型新兴有机污染物(ionic emerging organic pollutants, IEOPs)因挥发性较弱、极性强而具有更为复杂的环境行为,因此,了解作物对IEOPs的吸收转化过程及机制,对明确IEOPs在农田系统中的归趋具有重要意义。该文综述了作物对IEOPs的吸收转运过程,重点介绍了IEOPs自身理化性质与作物组成、转运蛋白、调控基因等因素对该吸收转运过程的影响;从器官、组织和亚细胞等不同水平分析了IEOPs在作物中的累积分布规律;介绍了IEOPs在作物体内的酶促转化机理;最后,从加强IEOPs吸收机理研究、完善预测模型和关注作物体内转化机制等方面对该研究领域进行展望。     

植物磷转运蛋白基因的研究进展

磷作为植物细胞核酸,是脂质、ATP、ADP、糖类的重要组成部分,在细胞的代谢活动、酶的调控反应以及信号级联中起着至关重要的作用。虽然土壤中含有大量的磷元素,但是土壤的吸附作用会使磷素转化为植物无法有效吸收和利用的形式。磷转运蛋白(phosphate transporter)作为一种对磷具有亲和力的转运蛋白,能够调节植物对磷的吸收和转运,对提高植物磷利用率具有重要作用。文章结合了国内外近年来有关植物磷转运蛋白的研究结果,从PHT基因家族及成员、PHT基因表达的定位、PHT基因的分子调控机制以及PHT基因在植物中的生物学功能等方面比较全面系统地综述了PHT基因的最新研究状况,并对此进行了展望。尽管在拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana)中人们已经对PHT基因有了一定的认识,但仍只处于初步阶段,还有部分的家族成员如PHT3和PHT4的分子调控机制仍有待进一步探究,以确定它们的生理功能并评价它们作为生物技术工具的潜力。目前研究较多的PHT1家族仍需要补充更多研究。在研究过程中也出现了一些值得深入探究的问题,如PHT基因的功能冗余现象以及PHT基因与AM共生分子调节机制等。同时,PHT基因对其他磷响应基因也有一定影响,其中的关系也值得探究,从而全面提高植物中磷吸收和转运的效率,以期为正在开展或即将开展相关研究的科研工作者提供有益的参考。     

根际促生菌影响植物吸收和转运重金属的研究进展

土壤重金属污染对生态环境和人类健康造成严重危害,使得土壤重金属污染修复成为全球关注的研究热点之一。根际土壤中存在着数量和种类丰富的微生物种群,是根际环境中最重要的生物因素。重金属污染土壤中根际微生物与植物根系以及土壤形成特殊根际微环境,影响植物重金吸收、转运过程。根际促生菌通过产生植物生长激素类物质促进植物生长,改变根际微环境中重金属元素生物有效性,增加修复植物重金属吸收量,强化重金属污染土壤植物修复效率。近年来,根际促生菌强化重金属污染土壤植物修复效率相关研究文献数量迅速增加,最新研究成果表明:根际促生菌通过菌体表面活性基团吸附,诱导植物系统抗性(ISR),激活植物抗氧化酶活性,分泌高亲和性铁载体(Siderophores)增加根际铁供给量,竞争性抑制重金属元素的根系吸收,改变植物重金属的吸收、转运及胞内分布过程,抑制重金属元素向植物地上部分转运,同时增加农作物产量。文章对根际促生菌影响植物重金属吸收﹑转运最新研究进展进行综述,提出根际促生菌原位定殖,重金属元素亚细胞分布和重金属吸收、转运分子调控机制等方面的深入研究,将有助于进一步阐明重金属污染土壤植物根际促生菌-植物相互作用机制。通过根际促生菌调控农作物可食部分重金属的累积量,为实现中低污染农田安全生产与修复研究提供新思路。     

Comparative effects of five chelating agents on testicular toxicity in mice induced by acute exposure to cadmium

The aim of this study was to develop new antidotes for cadmium (Cd) since this metal is known to produce mammalian toxicity. N-p-hydroxymethylbenzyl-D-glucamine dithiocarbamate (HBGD), N-benzyl-D-glucamine dithiocarbamate (BGD), diethyldithiocarbamate (DDTC), 2,3-dimercaptopropanol (BAL), and ethylenediamine-tetraacetic acid (EDTA) were studied for their ability to inhibit the adverse effects induced by Cd on mouse testes. The parameters examined included concentrations of Cd, calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn) in testes, lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels in testes, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in serum and reproductive ability of male mice. Mice injected intraperitoneally (ip) with CdCl₂ (2.5?mgCd?kg^?1) after 30?min or 24?h, were then injected ip with chelating agents (400?µmol?kg^?1). Cd increased the concentrations of testicular Ca, Cd, Fe, Zn, and LPO levels as well as the activity of LDH in serum. HBGD and BGD effectively prevented the increase in above indices, and improved the reproductive ability weakened by exposure to Cd. The results suggested that HBGD and BGD are more effective detoxificants in the case of testicular toxicity in mice induced by acute exposure to Cd.     

Cadmium uptake by a phytoplankton species in the presence of different inhibitors&

The uptake of cadmium by the Haptophyceae Hymenomonas elongata was studied as regards the energetic processes and Ca‐transport. For this purpose, experiments were carried out in the presence of an uncoupler of the phosphorylation : CCCP and of an inhibitor of calcium channels and also of Ca²⁺‐ATPase : verapamil. To reduce the number of assays, a factorial experimental design was used, in which all variables:— concentration of Cd in the medium—incubation time and—the presence of the inhibitor, are at two levels. In the absence of inhibitor, Cd uptake was found to vary as a function of metal concentration in the medium and of incubation time. CCCP significantly increased Cd uptake by H. elongata at sufficient incubation time. Therefore Cd uptake seemed linked to an energy‐dependent process, involving an ATPase. Verapamil immediately increased Cd uptake, implying an interaction between Cd and Ca.     

Effect of mixtures of metals on the spotted Babylon snail (Babylonia areolata) under different temperature conditions

A study was conducted on the Babylon snail (Babylonia areolata) to examine the effects of copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn) on different life stages of this gastropod. Metal toxicity significantly varied according to the life stage of the snail. The different LC₅₀ values obtained were 0.51, 5.49, 0.31, and 0.2 ppm for Cu, Zn, Cd, and Ni for the larval stage and 4.98, 15.19, 0.91, and 1.21 ppm at the juvenile stage and 8.54, 17.52, 1.14, and 1.44 ppm in the adult stage. Studies were also conducted on the effects of dual metal concentrations and experiments were repeated with temperature as a variable. Results demonstrated that metal toxicity values were altered depending on the metals involved in the combination as well as temperature under which the experiment was conducted.     

Uptake of cadmium and zinc by the mussel Mytilus edulis and inhibition by calcium channel and metabolic blockers

The mussel Mytilus edulis is extensively used to monitor metal contamination of estuarine and marine systems. Nonetheless, the mechanisms of metal uptake are poorly understood. To characterise the systems involved in cadmium and zinc uptake, the interaction between the two metals and the effects of different calcium channel blockers (diltiazem, nifedipine, verapamil) and inhibitors of active transport and metabolism (ouabain, sodium cyanide, 2,4 dinitrophenol) on the uptake of calcium, cadmium and zinc in Mytilus edulis have been studied. To separate direct from indirect effects of the inhibitors on metal uptake, their influence on the physiological condition of the mussels was also investigated. This was done by measuring clearance, respiration and excretion rates under the different exposure regimes and determining the scope for growth as an integrative index for physiological condition. The study has shown that the uptake of cadmium and zinc by Mytilus edulis can be modulated by calcium channel blockers and other inhibitors. The inhibitors also influenced physiological condition, but a significant correlation with the effects on metal uptake did not exist in most cases. Cadmium and zinc also inhibit each other's uptake, but the type of inhibition is not yet clear. The effects of the inhibitors on cadmium and zinc uptake are very different from the effects on calcium uptake, indicating that cadmium and zinc are preferentially taken up through other gateways. Overall, a significant degree of linear association is found between the effects of the inhibitors on the uptake of cadmium and zinc, suggesting common uptake routes. In addition, the effects of the calcium channel antagonist on the uptake of the metal ions are organ dependent, indicating that other types of channels are involved in the uptake of the metal ions in the gills and digestive system. Received: 16 February 1999 / Accepted: 23 September 1999     

Influence of physiological condition on cadmium transport from haemolymph to hepatopancreas inCarcinus maenas

Accumulation and binding of cadmium in the tissues of the shore crabCarcinus maenas (L.) were investigated in a series of laboratory experiments. The relation between the physiological condition of individual crabs and their ability to transport cadmium from haemolymph to hepatopancreas was specifically addressed. Cadmium was removed from the haemolymph with a half-life of approximately 10 h, and half of the cadmium removed from the haemolymph was taken up in the hepatopancreas. The efficiency with which individual crabs transported cadmium from the haemolymph to the hepatopancreas was strongly related to physiological parameters, such as concentrations of calcium and magnesium in the hepatopancreas and haemolymph volume and haemolymph protein concentration. The transport of cadmium from the haemolymph to the hepatopancreas was saturated in crabs exposed to more than 2 to 4 mg Cd l^–1 in the sea water. In the hepatopancreas of unexposed crabs, cadmium was bound mainly in the insoluble tissue fraction (40%) and in the protein fraction with a molecular weight of approximately 6000 D (50%). Exposure to 0.25 to 1.5 mg Cd l^–1 for 2 w led to dose-dependent increases of the amounts of cadmium bound in the high-molecular weight protein fraction and in the insoluble tissue fraction. Modes of internal cadmium transport and accumulation in tissues and variability in physiological parameters are discussed.     

镉中毒的干预措施与机理分析

镉极易在人体内蓄积且自然排泄缓慢,对人体健康危害严重,因此关于镉毒性的干预措施及机理研究意义重大。系统总结了螯合剂、金属硫蛋白、营养元素(锌、硒、钙、铁和维生素等),以及中药对镉毒性的干预作用及其机理。目前,镉中毒的许多干预措施均是利用与镉具有更高亲和性的一些外加物质,在动物体内与镉形成易于排出体外的复合物,再通过动物正常的生理活动将镉排出,以消除镉对机体内一些必需元素的正常新陈代谢活动的干扰。中药对镉中毒的干预机理可能成为新的研究热点。     

Concentrations of cadmium,manganese, copper,zinc, and lead in the tissues of the oyster (Crassostrea iredalei) obtained from Setiu Lagoon,Terengganu, Malaysia

Heavy metals pollution in aquatic environments is a major problem contributing to human health issues. The study of these pollutants through bioindicators such as the oyster Crassostrea iredalei is important for (1) determining the levels and sources and (2) regulating the quantity of pollutants. The concentrations of cadmium (Cd), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and lead (Pb) in tissues of C. iredalei, sediment and surrounding water was measured, and data was analyzed to determine the relationship between sampling periods and between oyster tissue, sediment, and water. The highest concentration of metals in oyster tissue was Zn, followed by Cu, Mn, Cd, and Pb. Concentrations of Cd, Cu, and Zn exceeded the maximum level allowed according to the Malaysian Food Act of 1983, which is equivalent to the WHO recommended levels of heavy metals in organisms used for consumption. The highest metal concentration in sediment was Mn followed by Zn, Pb, Cu, and Cd. Concentrations of heavy metals in surrounding water were Zn, Pb, Cu, Mn, and Cd. There was no correlation between metal concentration in oyster tissue and in sediment for all five metals.     

Rice seedlings under cadmium stress: effect of silicon on growth,cadmium uptake,oxidative stress,antioxidant capacity and root and leaf structures

In this study, the effect of silicon (Si) addition on cadmium (Cd) toxicity in rice seedlings was investigated. After a series of screening experiments, 50 μmol·L^?1 of Cd and 10 μ mol·L^?1 of Si were selected. Treatment of rice seedlings with Cd (50 μ mol·L^?1) resulted in significant accumulation of this metal in roots and shoots. The data revealed that accumulation of Cd resulted in oxidative stress in rice seedlings as evidenced by increased accumulation of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and malondialdehyde (MDA; a peroxidation product of lipids). However, addition of Si (10 μ mol·L^?1) together with Cd prevented accumulation of Cd, H₂O₂ and MDA. Antioxidant capacity was decreased by Cd but enhanced by Si addition. Cd decreased the length and frequency of root hairs, stomatal frequency, and distorted leaf mesophyll cells and vascular bundles. However, addition of Si together with Cd reduced these abnormalities. The results showed that addition of exogenous Si protected rice seedlings against Cd toxicity by preventing Cd accumulation and oxidative stress (H₂O₂ and MDA accumulation) by increasing Si accumulation and antioxidant capacity, which maintained the structure and integrity of leaf and root.     

Low level inhalation experiments with four different cadmium compounds in rats†

This long‐term inhalation study was designed to describe the toxicity and the carcinogenic risk from Cd compounds because it had been shown from former long‐term inhalation studies that cadmium choloride induced primary lung tumors in Wistar rats. It was therefore logical to examine whether other cadmium compounds to which human beings are more frequently exposed have also carcinogenic potency. In a long‐term inhalation study cadmium aerosols consisting of cadmium chloride (CdCl₂), cadmium oxide (CdO) as dusts and fumes, cadmium sulfate (CdSO₄), cadmium sulfide (CdS) and a combination of cadmium oxide/zinc oxide were used. Wistar rats were continuously exposed in inhalation chambers for 18 months 22 hrs a day or for 40 hrs a week. The studies will be terminated at the mean survival life time of the species. The aerosols were generated by several different systems. The particles of the cadmium aerosols have the average mass medium diameters in the range from 0.2 to 0.5 μm.     

Effect of cadmium individually and in combination with other metals on the nutritive value of fresh water fish,Channa punctatus

Impact of metal cadmium on the nutritive value of Channa punctatus on exposure to a sublethal concentration (1.12 mg/l) of cadmium (Cd2+) for 15 and 60 days has been studied. Among the various parameters selected, the level of moisture in liver and muscle was increased, while decrease was noted in the level of ash, total proteins and inorganic constituents like iron, calcium, inorganic phosphate, sodium and potassium in both liver and muscle in the two types of exposure. The total lipid level of liver increased, while muscle lipid level was decreased. On the other hand, calcium, iron, inorganic phosphate, sodium and potassium levels showed increase in blood. Zinc and selenium decreased the percentage alterations in all the parameters selected for study. In the two types of exposure, zinc was most effective to counteract the cadmium toxicity to fish as in almost all the parameters insignificant alterations were recorded. In combination studies, protection against cadmium toxicity by the two chemicals became more marked with increase in the tenure of exposure.