Combined effects of lanthanum ion and acid rain on growth, photosynthesis and chloroplast ultrastructure in soybean seedlings

Rare earth elements (REEs) have been accumulated in the agricultural environment. Acid rain is a serious environmental issue. In the present work, the effects of lanthanum ion (La³⁺) and acid rain on the growth, photosynthesis and chloroplast ultrastructure in soybean seedlings were investigated using the gas exchange measurements system, chlorophyll fluorometer, transmission electron microscopy and some biochemical techniques. It was found that although the growth and photosynthesis of soybean seedlings treated with the low concentration of La³⁺ was improved, the growth and photosynthesis of soybean seedlings were obviously inhibited in the combined treatment with the low concentration of La³⁺ and acid rain. At the same time, the chloroplast ultrastructure in the cell of soybean seedlings was destroyed. Under the combined treatment with the high concentration of La³⁺ and acid rain, the chloroplast ultrastructure in the cell of soybean seedlings was seriously destroyed, and the growth and of photosynthesis were greatly decreased compared with those of the control, the single treatment with the high concentration of La³⁺ and the single treatment with acid rain, respectively. The degree of decrease and destruction on chloroplast ultrastructure depended on the increases in the concentration of La³⁺ and acid rain (H⁺). In conclusion, the combined pollution of La³⁺ and acid rain obviously destroyed the chloroplast ultrastructure of cell and aggravated the harmful effect of the single La³⁺ and acid rain on soybean seedlings. As a new combined pollutant, the harmful effect of REEs ions and acid rain on plant should be paid attention to.     

Effects and mechanisms of the combined pollution of lanthanum and acid rain on the root phenotype of soybean seedlings

Rare earth pollution and acid rain pollution are both important environmental issues worldwide. In regions which simultaneously occur, the combined pollution of rare earth and acid rain becomes a new environmental issue, and the relevant research is rarely reported. Accordingly, we investigated the combined effects and mechanisms of lanthanum ion (La³⁺) and acid rain on the root phenotype of soybean seedlings. The combined pollution of low-concentration La³⁺ and acid rain exerted deleterious effects on the phenotype and growth of roots, which were aggravated by the combined pollution of high-concentration La³⁺ and acid rain. The deleterious effects of the combined pollution were stronger than those of single La³⁺ or acid rain pollution. These stronger deleterious effects on the root phenotype and growth of roots were due to the increased disturbance of absorption and utilization of mineral nutrients in roots.     

Antioxidant responses to simulated acid rain and heavy metal deposition in birch seedlings

This study measured the responses of different anti-oxidants in 2-year-old birch (Betula pendula Roth) seedlings subjected to simulated acid rain (pH 4.0) and heavy metals (Cu/Ni), applied alone or in combination for 2 months. The applied concentrations of pollutants did not significantly affect seedling biomass or total glutathione levels. Acid rain alone increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity both in leaves and roots, while heavy metals alone inhibited SOD activity in roots. Both acid rain and heavy metals applied singly increased ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) activities in leaves but decreased activities in roots. In contrast, acid rain and heavy metal treatments increased glutathione reductase (GR) activity in roots but not in leaves. Spraying birch seedlings with a mixture of acid rain and heavy metals increased SOD, APX and GPX activities in leaves and GR activity in roots. However, the effects of mixed pollutants on enzyme activities usually were less than the summed effects of individual pollutants. Enzyme responses also depended on where pollutants were applied: spraying pollutants onto the shoots initiated higher responses in SOD, APX and GPX than did application to the soil surface, while the opposite was true for GR.     

Enzymological mechanism for the regulation of lanthanum chloride on flavonoid synthesis of soybean seedlings under enhanced ultraviolet-B radiation

In order to probe into the enzymological mechanism for the regulation of lanthanum chloride (LaCl₃) on flavonoid synthesis in plants under enhanced ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation, the effects of LaCl₃ (20 and 60 mg l^?1) on the content of flavonoids as well as the activities of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), cinnamate-4-hydroxylase (C4H), 4-coumarate?:?coenzyme A ligase (4CL), and chalcone synthase (CHS) in soybean seedlings under enhanced UV-B radiation (2.6 and 6.2 kJ m^?2 day^?1) were investigated. Enhanced UV-B radiation (2.6 and 6.2 kJ m^?2 day^?1) caused the increase in the content of flavonoids as well as the activities of PAL, C4H, 4CL, and CHS in soybean seedlings. The treatment of 20 mg l^?1 LaCl₃ also efficiently increased these indices, which promoted the flavonoid synthesis and provided protective effects for resisting enhanced UV-B radiation. On the contrary, the treatment of 60 mg l^?1 LaCl₃ decreased the content of flavonoids as well as the activities of C4H, 4CL, and CHS in soybean seedlings except increasing the activity of PAL, which were not beneficial to the flavonoid synthesis and provided negative effects for resisting enhanced UV-B radiation. In conclusion, enhanced UV-B radiation caused the increase in the flavonoid synthesis by promoting the activities of PAL, C4H, 4CL, and CHS in soybean seedlings. The treatment of LaCl₃ could change flavonoid synthesis in soybean seedlings under enhanced UV-B radiation by regulating the activities of PAL, C4H, 4CL, and CHS, which is an enzymological mechanism for the regulation of LaCl₃ on flavonoid synthesis in plants under enhanced UV-B radiation.     

Effects of simulated acid rain and ozone on foliar chemistry of field-grown Pinus ponderosa seedlings and mature trees

We investigated the additive and interactive effects of simulated acid rain and elevated ozone on C and N contents, and the C:N ratio of one-year-old and current-year foliage of field-grown mature trees and their half-sib seedlings of a stress tolerant genotype of ponderosa pine. Acid rain levels (pH 5.1 and 3.0) were applied weekly to foliage only (no soil acidification or N addition), from January to April, 1992. Plants were exposed to two ozone levels (ambient and twice-ambient) during the day from September 1991 to November 1992. The sequential application of acid rain and elevated ozone mimicked the natural conditions. Twice-ambient ozone significantly decreased foliar N content (by 12-14%) and increased the C:N ratio of both one-year-old and current-year foliage of seedlings. Although similar ozone effects were also observed on one-year-old foliage of mature trees, the only statistically significant effect was an increased C:N ratio when twice-ambient ozone combined with pH 3.0 rain (acid rain by ozone interaction). Enhancing the effect of twice-ambient ozone in increasing the C:N ratio of one-year-old foliage of mature trees in June was the only significant effect of acid rain.     

Andersen酸雨采样器与国产酸雨采样器监测数据对比分析

对美国Andersen酸雨采样器与国产酸雨采样器在pH、电导率、雨量三方面的采样性能作了比较试验，结果表明监测数据基本一致，其中pH值的可比性最好，相关系数达到0.99;Andersen酸雨采样器采集的样品其电导率普遍低于国产酸雨采样器，说明该仪器在防颗粒物干扰方面性能较好。     

acid rain and environmental policy

Editor’s note: This paper by Dr. Jacobson was presented at the 74th annual meeting of the Air Pollution Control Association as part of a panel discussion entitled “Acid Rain–1981: An International Issue.” The session was held on June 22, 1981, and was arranged by APCA’s TT-6 Energy-Environmental Interactions Committee.     

Biphasic effects of lanthanum on Vicia faba L. seedlings under cadmium stress, implicating finite antioxidation and potential ecological risk

In the present study, lanthanum (La) as a representative REE was used to explore the mechanisms for alleviation of Cd-induced oxidative damage by extraneous La at appropriate concentrations, and to assess ecological risk of combination of Cd and La at higher concentrations in roots of Vicia faba L. seedlings. The seedlings were hydroponically cultured for 15 d under nutrient solution, 6 μmol L⁻¹ CdCl₂, and combination of 6 μmol L⁻¹ CdCl₂ and increasing concentrations of La, respectively. The results showed that the supplementation with low concentrations of exogenous La (<120 μmol L⁻¹) led to reduced contents of Cd, Ca, Cu, Zn, Mn or Fe element and increased activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) isozymes as well as heat shock protein 70 (HSP 70) production in the roots. However, the supplementation with higher La (>120 μmol L⁻¹) showed the adverse effects. The contents of Cd elevated above the single Cd treatment in the roots, accompanying with the decline of antioxidant isozyme’s activities and HSP 70, and increment of carbonylated proteins and endoprotease isozyme’s activities. The results also showed that the root growth was not only related to carbonylated proteins, but also to indole acetic acid oxidase activities. Therefore, the supplemented extraneous La contributed to biphasic effects: stimulated antioxidation at lower concentrations and pro-oxidation at higher concentrations against Cd-induced oxidative stress in the roots.     

Metal stress and decreased tree growth in response to biosolids application in greenhouse seedlings and in situ Douglas-fir stands

To assess physiological impacts of biosolids on trees, metal contaminants and phytochelatins were measured in Douglas-fir stands amended with biosolids in 1982. A subsequent greenhouse study compared these same soils to soils amended with fresh wastewater treatment plant biosolids. Biosolids-amended field soils had significantly higher organic matter, lower pH, and elevated metals even after 25 years. In the field study, no beneficial growth effects were detected in biosolids-amended stands and in the greenhouse study both fresh and historic biosolids amendments resulted in lower seedling growth rates. Phytochelatins - bioindicators of intracellular metal stress - were elevated in foliage of biosolids-amended stands, and significantly higher in roots of seedlings grown with fresh biosolids. These results demonstrate that biosolids amendments have short- and long-term negative effects that may counteract the expected tree growth benefits.     

Effects of acid rain on growth and nutrient concentrations in Scots pine and Norway spruce seedlings grown in a nutrient-rich soil

The effects of artificially applied acid precipitation on growth and nutrient concentrations of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) seedlings were investigated in a long-term acid irrigation experiment in field conditions. Seedlings of northern and southern origin were planted in boxes containing peat and composted soil rich in nutrients, and sprinkler irrigated with water acidified with nitric and sulphuric acids to pH 3 or pH 4 for periods varying from two to three and a half growing seasons during 1986-1989. Water irrigated (pH 5.4-7.6) and non-irrigated groups of seedlings were also included in the experiment. At the end of the experiment needles, main and lateral shoots and roots were collected from the seedlings for the determination of height growth and biomass partitioning, and for the analysis of S, N, Mg, P, K, Ca, Mn and Fe concentrations. The treatment effects compared to the irrigated control were studied using multivariate analyses of variance and covariance. In the pine seedlings the total dry matter production increased by 25-70% compared with the irrigated controls when the total wet deposition to the seedlings exceeded 67 kg S ha(-1) and 36 kg N ha(-1) (e.g. after two growing seasons' exposure of the pH 3 treatment). The increase was mainly due to an increase in needle dry weight (54-72% greater at pH 3) and root weight (20-65% greater at pH 3), whereas the height growth or shoot weight growth were less affected. The northern provenance pine seedlings responded more clearly to the pH 3 irrigation than the southern ones. The treatments had no consistent effects on any of the growth variables studied in the spruce seedlings, however. The pines had higher root and foliage Ca concentrations as a result of the acid irrigation, whereas in spruce, acid rain decreased the Ca concentration in needles and shoots. Root Mn and Fe concentrations were higher in both species as a result of the pH 3 treatment. A higher soil conductivity and Ca concentration resulted from the prolonged pH 3 treatment. The results strongly support the hypothesis that the long-term growth and nutrient allocation response of conifers to acid precipitation is dependent both on the tree species and on the nutritional status of the soil.     

Growth responses of three legume species exposed to simulated acid rain

Seedlings of Vicia faba L., Phaseolus multiflorus L. and Pisum sativum L. were raised during exposure to simulated acid rainfall treatments of pHs 5.6, 4.5, 3.5 and 2.5 at a rate of 30 mm per week. All three species were found to be adversely affected by the more acid pH 3.5 and pH 2.5 treatments after 7-8 weeks of exposure. There were total plant dry weight reductions of 40% for V. faba, 31% for P. sativum and 28% for P. multiflorus exposed to the pH 2.5 treatment, as compared to those grown in the control (pH 5.6 treatment). In addition, V. faba was found to be sensitive to the pH 4.5 treatment with an 18% reduction in total plant weights (compared to plants grown in the pH 5.6 treatment). In P. multiflorus, reduction in the dry weights of shoots in response to increasing acidity of rain was not accompanied by reduction in root weights, indicating an interference in the partitioning of assimilates. It is concluded that these three species, and V. faba in particular, may be growing below their potential in much of the UK.     

Antioxidant and metabolism responses to polyphenol stress in cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa

Three common polyphenol compounds Gallic Acid (GA), Pyrogallic Acid (PA) and Catechol (CA) are known to have allelochemical-exhibiting inhibitory effects on the growth of the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa (M. aeruginosa). Metabolism and antioxidant responses in M. aeruginosa were investigated to elucidate the mechanism by which the three polyphenols inhibit algal growth. The inhibition effects of polyphenols were in the order of CA > PA > GA. The GA and CA exposures increased protein contents, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, catalase (CAT) activity and soluble sugar, especially for exposure to GA of 25 mg L^?1. Soluble sugar content increased significantly especially when exposed to CA for 72 h. When exposed to PA, protein content, and SOD and CAT activities initially increased but over longer treatment time the activities decreased, in contrast to sugar content. Our results suggest that PA exposure for longer periods of time may inhibit catabolism action, while CA exposure could induce more oxide stress than GA or PA. The overall study showed that polyphenol-induced oxidative damage might be responsible for polyphenol inhibition on M. aeruginosa growth. The increases in cellular antioxidant enzymes and soluble sugar may have been to counteract the oxidative stress.     

Persistent episodic acidification of streams linked to acid rain effects on soil

Episodic acidification of streams, identified in the late 1980s as one of the most significant environmental problems caused by acidic deposition, had not been evaluated since the early 1990s despite decreasing levels of acidic deposition over the past decade. This analysis indicates that episodic acidification of streams in upland regions in the northeastern United States persists, and is likely to be much more widespread than chronic acidification. Depletion of exchangeable Ca in the mineral soil has decreased the neutralization capacity of soils and increased the role of the surface organic horizon in the neutralization of acidic soil water during episodes. Increased accumulation of N and S in the forest floor from decades of acidic deposition will delay the recovery of soil base status, and therefore, the elimination of acidic episodes, which is anticipated from decreasing emissions.     

Response of two cultivars of Triticum aestivum L. to simulated acid rain

The present experiment was aimed at assessing the impact of simulated acidic precipitation (SAR) on growth, biomass accumulation and yield of two cultivars of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), Malviya 206 and 234, varying in cuticular thickness and leaf area. Wheat cultivars were exposed to simulated rain acidified to pH 5.6 (control), 5.0, 4.5, 4.0 and 3.0 from 30 days of age, twice a week for five weeks. The plants received ambient precipitation of unknown acidity, as well as the acid rain treatments. Growth parameters such as shoot height, root length, and leaf area were reduced significantly in treated plants at different growth stages. Above and below-ground biomass also decreased significantly in the plants treated with acidic precipitation. Relative to control, the number of grains per plant and yield per m(2) declined significantly at all SAR treatments. The hypothesis that the variety with thinner cuticle and greater leaf area would be more susceptible to acidic precipitation was not supported by the present study.     

On the relationship between acid rain and cloud type

Spanish European Monitoring and Evaluation Programme (EMEP) stations were selected to relate acid rain episodes with the meteorological structure that caused the rainfall during a 5-year period. A principal component analysis (PCA) was used to determine the origin of major ions (SO4(2-), NO3-, Cl-, Ca2+, K+, Mg2+, and Na+) in the rainwater. In addition, the meteorological origin of the rain was identified. Previous works suggested a relationship between acid rain and storm convective clouds. However, statistical analyses of pH values show that only the short-lived convective phenomena may cause acid rain in Spain. In fact, rain generated by fronts and that related to long-lived convective systems is neutral or even slightly basic. Results suggest that the acid rain might be related to the meteorological time scale instead of to the cloud type.     

浙江省酸雨的空间分布格局及其未来变化趋势预测

利用浙江省1992、2002年的酸雨监测数据,并利用RAINS-ASIA模型模拟了1990-2030年浙江省酸雨前体物(SO2)的排放量,以及酸沉降超临界负荷面积占研究区域面积比例的变化情况.结果表明,浙江省的酸雨分布范围不断扩大、危害程度不断加重;未来一个时期内,SO2排放量都会维持在较高的水平;酸沉降超临界负荷面积所占比例在经历较快的增长阶段之后,会维持在较为恒定的水平,并呈现出明显的时滞性.     

Antioxidant metabolism of coffee cell suspension cultures in response to cadmium

The antioxidant responses of coffee (Coffea arabica L.) cell suspension cultures to cadmium (Cd) were investigated. Cd accumulated very rapidly in the cells and this accumulation was directly correlated with an increase in applied CdCl(2) concentration in the external medium. At 0.05mM CdCl(2), growth was stimulated, but at 0.5mM CdCl(2), the growth rate was reduced. An alteration in activated oxygen metabolism was detected by visual analysis as well as by an increase in lipid peroxidation at the higher CdCl(2) concentration. Catalase (CAT; EC 1.11.1.6), glutathione reductase (GR; EC 1.6.4.2) and superoxide dismutase (SOD; EC 1.15.1.1) activity increased, particularly at the higher concentration of CdCl(2). Ascorbate peroxidase (APX; EC 1.11.1.11) activity was increased at the lower CdCl(2) concentration used, but could not be detected in cells growing in the higher CdCl(2) concentration after 24h of growth, whilst guaiacol peroxidase (GOPX; EC 1.11.1.7) did not show a clear response to Cd treatment. An analysis by non-denaturing PAGE followed by staining for enzyme activity, revealed one CAT isoenzyme, nine SOD isoenzymes and four GR isoenzymes. The SOD isoenzymes were differently affected by CdCl(2) treatment and one GR isoenzyme was shown to specifically respond to CdCl(2). The results suggest that the higher concentrations of CdCl(2) may lead to oxidative stress. The main response appears to be via the induction of SOD and CAT activities for the removal of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and by the induction of GR to ensure the availability of reduced glutathione for the synthesis of Cd-binding peptides, which may also be related to the inhibition of APX activity probably due to glutathione and ascorbate depletion.     

Response of abscisic acid in soybean leaves to NO2 exposure

Soybean (Glycine max L. Merril) cv. 'Williams' plants were exposed 0.0, 0.05, 0.2 and 0.4 microl litre(-1) NO(2) under controlled environment. Amount of abscisic acid (ABA) was measured after either 7 h or 5 days of exposure as well as after 18 h of recovery period. For quantitative analysis of ABA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used. A significant increase (160%) was observed in plants treated with 0.4 microl litre(-1) NO(2) for 5 days compared to an increase of only 82% on exposure for 7 h. Rate of recovery for plants treated with low doses of NO(2) was higher than those treated with higher doses.