Distribution, correlation, and source apportionment of selected metals in tannery effluents, related soils, and groundwater—a case study from Multan, Pakistan

The short-term responses of H₂O₂-depletion-related parameters in moss Hypnum plumaeforme to the combined stress induced by Pb and Ni were investigated. The results showed that the Pb and Ni stress induced dose-dependent accumulation of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). The increase of peroxidase (POD) activity and decrease of ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity were observed under the combined heavy metal application. The antioxidants, ascorbate (AsA) and proline content, increased significantly when the metals were applied together. The study indicated that the cell damage caused by Pb stress was higher than that caused by Ni stress, Pb and Ni had synergistic effect in inducing the oxidative stress in moss H. plumaeforme, especially under the combination of high concentration of Ni (0.1 and 1.0 mM) and Pb. Content of proline, H₂O₂ and the activity of POD, all showed a dose-dependent increase under Pb and Ni stress, suggesting their practical value as biomarkers in moss biomonitoring, especially in the case of light pollution caused by heavy metals without the changes in the appearance of mosses.