Copper Availability and Accumulation by Portulaca Oleracea Linn. Stem Cutting

The Cu accumulation capacity of stem cuttings of Portulaca oleracea was assessed in two different soils, alfisol and vertisol, which differ from each other mainly due to their clay content~— several fold lower in the former than in the latter. The DTPA extractable concentration of Cu in soil and the level of its accumulation in stem cuttings were, therefore, greater in alfisol than in vertisol. In the mixed soils, the DTPA extractable as well as plant accumulated levels of Cu decreased with an increase in the proportion of vertisol. With an increase in the soil available and plant accumulated Cu, a decrease has been observed in the ability of stem cuttings to regenerate leaves and roots. As a consequence biomass reduction has been observed with an increase in the concentration of Cu in the soil and plant body. In view of comparatively low availability of Cu in vertisol, regeneration of stem cuttings occurred up to a concentration of 1600 $μ gofCu/gofsoil, whereasinalfisolitoccurredonlyupto200μ g of Cu/g of soil. The results of the present study showed that P. oleracea stem cutting is an accumulator of Cu and the availability of Cu in soils could be manipulated through addition of clay since the plant available concentration of Cu is less in the soil (vertisol) with high clay content.     

Influence of aluminium on the restoration potential of a terrestrial vascular plant,Portulaca Oleracea L. as a biomonitoring tool of fresh water aquatic environments

In the present study, the influence of aluminium on the regeneration potential of leaf and stem-cuttings of Portulaca oleracea was studied in order to identify a terrestrial plant species as an alternate biomonitoring toolof fresh water environment. The leaves and stem cuttings of theterrestrial plant, P. oleracea grew well in the distilled water producing adventitious and lateral roots. The aluminium treated leaves and stem cuttings showed a reduction in the growthof the adventitious and lateral roots and increase in the decay of leaves and stem cuttings with increasing aluminium concentration. The tolerance index calculated for the leaves and the stem cuttings showed that the leaves were more sensitivethan stems to aluminium. Since all the parameters studied showedconcentration dependent changes, the terrestrial plant, P. oleracea can be considered a suitable biomonitoring tool of fresh water environment besides its usage in the Al toxicity testing.     

The influence of two culturing techniques on toxicity of four chemicals in Arabidopsis

Plots of Arabidopsis thaliana L. (Heynh.) plants were grown in two hydroponic systems, one using a solid rooting support media (vermiculite) and the other a flowing solution culture. Both were tested with various concentrations of bromacil (5-bromo-3-sec-butyl-6-methyluracil), dichlobenil (2,6-dichlorobenzonitrile), copper sulfate (CuSO₄·5H₂O) and 3-aminotriazole. The effects on biomass production were compared. Plants treated with bromacil at concentrations up to 0.05 mg l^–1 were similarly reduced in growth in both culture methods. However, the toxic effects of dichlobenil, copper sulfate and 3-aminotriazole were different for both culture methods. Dichlobenil decreased plant growth in the solution culture at lower concentrations than in the vermiculite system. All aspects of growth were suppressed in the solution culture while the vegetative weight was unaffected in the vermiculite culture. Plants treated with 20 mg l^–1 copper sulfate in solution culture yielded mean seed weight of 1.2 g/plot compared to 3.1 g/plot when treated with the same concentration in the double-plot system. Plants treated with 0.5 mg l^–1 3-aminotriazole in solution culture produced no seed, while plants with the same nominal concentration in the double-pot method produced a mean seed weight of 6.5 g/plot. Solution culture testing was generally more sensitive and since roots were bathed directly in a solution of known pH, nutrient level and chemical concentration, the test conditions were more accurately defined.     

Fly-ash-induced oxidative stress and tolerance in Prosopis juliflora L. grown on different amended substrates

Field experiments were conducted to study the impact of metal accumulation on malondialdehyde (MDA), cysteine and non-protein thiol (NPSH) contents in the plants of Prosopis juliflora grown on the fly ash (FA) amended with soil, blue green algae (BGA) biofertilizer, farm yard manure, press mud and Rhizobium inoculation. The analysis of data revealed that the level of MDA, cysteine and NPSH was higher in the roots of the plant than leaves, which was found positively correlated with metal accumulation. An increase of 361.14, 64.25 and 305.62% in MDA, cysteine and NPSH contents, respectively was observed after 45 days in the roots of the plants grown in 100% FA as compared to 100% garden soil (GS). The level of MDA, cysteine and NPSH was found less in the plants grown on various amendments of FA showing ameliorating effect on the toxicity induced due to the accumulation of metals. The decrease in MDA, cysteine and NPSH contents was higher in Rhizobium-inoculated plants as compared to uninoculated plants grown on 100% FA. The results showed a high tolerance potential of the plant, which is further increased by inoculating the plant with FA-tolerant Rhizobium showing feasibility of using P. juliflora in environmental monitoring of FA landfills.     

Accumulation of heavy metals in Spinacia oleracea irrigated with paper mill effluent and sewage

The present study on heavy metal contamination in soil and their accumulation in edible part (leaves) and roots of Spinacia oleracea (Spinach) on irrigation with paper mill effluent (PME)/sewage revealed that there was significant increase in the nickel (Ni, +227.17 %) content of the soil irrigated with PME, whereas in the soil irrigated with sewage chromium (Cr, +274.84 %), iron (Fe, +149.56 %), and cadmium (Cd, +133.39 %), contents were increased appreciably. The value of enrichment factor (EF) for Ni (3.27) indicated moderate enrichment in PME-irrigated soil. The EF of Fe, zinc (Zn), Cd, and Cr were <2 in PME effluent-irrigated soil which showed deficiency of minimal enrichment. In sewage irrigated soil, EF value for Cr, Fe, and Cd indicated moderate enrichment, while the values for Zn and Ni indicated deficiency of minimal enrichment. Among various metallic concentrations, the maximum concentration of Fe was observed in leaves (400.12?±?11.47 mg/kg) and root (301.41?±?13.14 mg/kg) of S. oleracea after irrigation with PME, whereas the maximum concentrations of Fe was found in leaves (400.49?±?5.97 mg/kg) and root (363.94?±?11.37 mg/kg) of S. oleracea after irrigation with sewage for 60 days. The bioaccumulation factor value was found maximum for Cd (2.23) in the plants irrigated with PME while that of Fe (0.90) in the plants irrigated with sewage. The undiluted use of PME/sewage for irrigation increased the concentration of Cr, Cd, Zn, Ni, and Fe metals which were accumulated in S. oleracea, posing a potential threat to human health from this practice of irrigation.     

Comparative studies on accumulation of Cr from metal solution and tannery effluent under repeated metal exposure by aquatic plants: its toxic effects

The present study demonstrates comparison of Cr accumulatingpotential by the plants of Najas indica Cham. (submerged),Vallisneria spiralis L. (rooted submerged) and Alternanthera sessilis R. Br. (rooted emergent) under repeatedmetal exposure and its effect on chlorophyll and protein concentrations. These plants were treated with different concentrations of Cr under repeated exposure in controlled laboratory conditions to assess the maximum metal accumulationpotential. The plants of V. spiralis accumulated significantly high amount of Cr under laboratory conditions incomparison to N. indica and A. sessilis. The maximumaccumulation of 1378, 458 and 201 g g^-1 dw Cr was found in the leaves of V. spiralis, N. indica and A. sessilis, respectively at 8 mg L^-1 after 9 day of Cr exposure. These plants have shown a decrease in chlorophyll andprotein concentrations with increase in Cr concentrations. In view of high accumulation of Cr in V. spiralis, the plantswere treated with different concentrations of tannery effluent collected from Common Effluent Treatment Plant, Unnao (UP). Theplants of V. spiralis treated with 100% tannery wastewatershowed the maximum accumulation (57.5 g g^-1 dw) of Cr in the roots after 10 days of exposure. The plants were foundeffective in removing Cr from solution and tannery effluent.     

Bioconcentration and Phytotoxicity of Cd in Eichhornia crassipes

Plants of Eichhornia crassipes grown at various levels of cadmium ranging from 0.1 to 100 μg ml⁻¹ accumulated Cd in a concentration and duration dependent manner. At all levels, Cd accumulation by various plant tissues followed the order roots shoot leaves. Approximately 80% of total Cd was accumulated by plant at highest concentration (100 μg ml⁻¹) used in the experiment. Cadmium induced phytotoxicity appears at 25.0 μg ml⁻¹ resulting into reduced levels of chlorophyll, protein and in vivo nitrate reductase activity of the plant. However, a slight induction of these physiological variables was obtained at lowest Cd (0.1 μg ml⁻¹) concentration. In contrast, carotenoid content increased at highest Cd concentration i.e., 100 μg ml⁻¹. Similar effects at low and high levels of Cd was obtained with respect to mitotic index and micronuclei in root meristem of the plant. It could be inferred that Cd toxicity in plant is differential depending upon the low and high concentration of Cd in the medium.     

CADMIUM ACCUMULATION AND TOXICITY IN SUBMERGED PLANT HYDRILLA VERTICILLATA (l.f.) ROYLE

Cadmium accumulation and its toxicity in relation tochlorophyll, protein, cysteine contents and in vivo nitrate reductaseactivity were studied under controlled conditions in Hydrillaverticillata, a submerged commonly occurring macrophyte. Plants weresubjected to six different concentrations of Cd ranging from 1.0 to 25.0 µM for 24, 48, 72 and 168 h. Tissue Cd concentration was maximum (13.71 µmoles/g dw) at 25 µM background concentration. At this concentration, a decrease of approximately 79 and 72% was found in chlorophyll and protein content. In vivo nitrate reductase activity was stimulated at 1.0 µM; however, the activity gradually declined beyond this concentration. Exposure to various cadmium concentrations resulted in an increase in cysteine content of the plant.     

Response of the Ascorbate-Peroxidase of Selenastrum capricornutum to Copper and Lead in Stormwaters

The green alga Selenastrum capricornutum expresses a uniqueascorbate peroxidase, that responds to copper and lead. Attemptswere made to test if this peroxidase could be used to monitor thelevels of copper and lead in natural waters. When S.capricornutum was exposed to a stormwater sample, the specificactivity of the peroxidase in the cell extract was commensuratewith the combined copper and lead contents in the sample. Theperoxidase responses were also correlated with the 96 hr biomasstoxicity assay of S. capricornutum. However, unlike thebiomass toxicity assay, the peroxidase activity was not affectedby the anions in the samples. The use of this peroxidase can beused as a marker for testing heavy metal toxicity in the water.     

An analysis of spatial and temporal properties of daily sulfate, nitrate and chloride concentrations at UK urban and rural sites

Daily measurements of sulfate, nitrate and chloride in PM(10) have been made at three geographically separated UK sites over a three year period. Chloride shows a clear seasonal pattern with highest concentrations in winter, whilst sulfate and nitrate both show highest concentrations in the spring, apparently related to weather patterns. Spatial variability of both sulfate and nitrate is low in comparison to temporal variations, with high correlations of both species between all three sites, London (North Kensington), Harwell and Belfast, despite a geographic separation of 510 km. Both SO/SO(2) and NO/NO(x) ratios are considerably higher in summer than winter, reflecting a greater oxidising capacity of the atmosphere. SO(4)(2-)/NO(3)(-) ratios are higher in summer than winter, suggesting that aqueous phase oxidation of SO(2), expected to be most important in the winter months is not appreciably influencing production of sulfate aerosol, although greater dissociation of ammonium nitrate in summer may also play a role. Regression of concentrations at London, North Kensington with those from the proximate rural site of Harwell is interpreted as showing a similar effect of regional transport at the two sites and a small influence of local formation in the urban atmosphere or primary emissions, averaging 0.46 microg m(-3) of nitrate and 0.22 microg m(-3) of sulfate.     

The potential of biomonitoring of air quality using leaf characteristics of white willow (Salix alba L.)

In this study, we assess the potential of white willow (Salix alba L.) as bioindicator for monitoring of air quality. Therefore, shoot biomass, specific leaf area, stomatal density, stomatal pore surface, and stomatal resistance were assessed from leaves of stem cuttings. The stem cuttings were introduced in two regions in Belgium with a relatively high and a relatively low level of air pollution, i.e., Antwerp city and Zoersel, respectively. In each of these regions, nine sampling points were selected. At each sampling point, three stem cuttings of white willow were planted in potting soil. Shoot biomass and specific leaf area were not significantly different between Antwerp city and Zoersel. Microclimatic differences between the sampling points may have been more important to plant growth than differences in air quality. However, stomatal pore surface and stomatal resistance of white willow were significantly different between Zoersel and Antwerp city. Stomatal pore surface was 20% lower in Antwerp city due to a significant reduction in both stomatal length (?11%) and stomatal width (?14%). Stomatal resistance at the adaxial leaf surface was 17% higher in Antwerp city because of the reduction in stomatal pore surface. Based on these results, we conclude that stomatal characteristics of white willow are potentially useful indicators for air quality.     

Heavy metal biomonitoring and phytoremediation potentialities of aquatic macrophytes in River Nile

The concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn in sediments, water, and different plant organs of six aquatic vascular plant species, Ceratophyllum demersum L. Echinochloa pyramidalis (Lam.) Hitchc. & Chase; Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms-Laub; Myriophyllum spicatum L.; Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud; and Typha domingensis (Pers.) Poir. ex Steud, growing naturally in the Nile system (Sohag Governorate), were investigated. The aim was to define which species and which plant organs exhibit the greatest accumulation and evaluate whether these species could be usefully employed in biomonitoring and phytoremediation programs. The recorded metals in water samples were above the standard levels of both US Environmental Protection Agency and Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency except for Pb. The concentrations of heavy metals in water, sediments, and plants possess the same trend: Zn > Cu > Pb > Cd which reflects the biomonitoring potentialities of the investigated plant species. Generally, the variation of heavy element concentrations in water and sediments in relation to site and season, as assessed by two-way repeated measured ANOVA, was significant (p < 0.05). However, insignificant variations were observed in the concentrations of Pb and Cd in sediments in relation to season and of Cu and Zn in relation to site. Results also showed that the selectivity of the heavy elements for the investigated plants varied significantly (p < 0.05) with species variation. The accumulation capability of the investigated species could be arranged according to this pattern: C. demersum > E. crassipes > M. spicatum > E. pyramidalis > T. domingensis > P. australis. On the basis of the element concentrations, roots of all the studied species contain higher concentrations of Cu and Zn than shoots while leaves usually acquire the highest concentrations of Pb. Cd concentrations among different plant organs are comparable except in M. spicatum where the highest Cd concentrations were recorded in the leaves. Our results also demonstrated that all the studied species can accumulate more than 1,450-fold the concentration of the investigated heavy elements in water rendering them of interest for use in phytoremediation studies of polluted waters. Given the absence of systematic water quality monitoring, heavy elements in plants, rather than sediments, provide a cost-effective means for assessing heavy element accumulation in aquatic systems during plant organ lifespan.     

Major Ionic Composition of Aerosol, Rainwater and its Impact on Surface and Sub-surface Waters, in and Around Mangalore, West Coast of India

Mining activities in Rakha copper mine (Jharkhand, India) were ceased in the year 2001, leaving a huge amount of untreated tailings in the nearby tailings pond. The copper tailings contained high concentrations of heavy metals (total Cu, Ni concentrations 1779, 564 mgkg⁻¹, respectively), and low contents of major nutrient elements and organic matter. Tailings are often very unstable, and a potential vegetation cover may reduce the erosion or immobilize the toxicants to surrounding environment by phytostabilization. However, high shoot concentrations of elements might disperse them and could be harmful to grazing animals. The objective of this study was to find out which of the three properties; low-accumulation, root accumulation or shoot accumulation of elements (Cu, Ni, Mn, Zn, Pb, Cd and Co), occur in the semi aquatic species Ammania baccifera growing on copper tailings. Roots of this species accumulated high levels of Cu, even more than 1000 mg kg⁻¹, DW. Metals accumulated by A. baccifera were mostly distributed in root tissues, suggesting that an exclusion strategy for metal tolerance widely exists in them. Thus, establishment of such plant on copper tailings can be a safe method to stabilize the metals.     

Particle emission from heavy-duty engine fuelled with blended diesel and biodiesel

In this study, particulate matter (PM) were characterized from a place impacted by heavy-duty vehicles (Bus Station) fuelled with diesel/biodiesel fuel blend (B3) in the city of Londrina, Brazil. Sixteen priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) concentrations were analyzed in the samples by their association with atmospheric PM, mass size distributions and major ions (fluorite, chloride, bromide, nitrate, phosphate, sulfate, nitrite, oxalate; fumarate, formate, succinate and acetate; lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium and ammonium). Results indicate that major ions represented 21.2% particulate matter mass. Nitrate, sulfate, and ammonium, respectively, presented the highest concentration levels, indicating that biodiesel may also be a significant source for these ions, especially nitrate. Dibenzo[a,h]anthracene and indeno[1,2,3,-cd]pyrene were the main PAH found, and a higher fraction of PAH particles was found in diameters lower than 0.25 μm in Londrina bus station. The fine and ultrafine particles were dominant among the PM evaluated, suggesting that biodiesel decreases the total PAH emission. However, it does also increase the fraction of fine and ultrafine particles when compared to diesel.     

Growth and biochemical parameters of Cicer arietinum L. grown on amended fly ash

Growth and metal accumulation were investigated in two Cicer arietinum L. varieties (var. CSG-8962 and var. C-235) when grown in various combinations of fly ash (FA) amended with garden soil (GS), press mud (PM) or saw dust (SD). In addition, the levels of photosynthetic pigments, nitrate reductase (NR) activity, cysteine, non-protein thiols (NP-SH), and ascorbic acid were studied. FA amended with GS or PM led to a 5–10 times increase in biomass compared to FA control and was most pronounced in the less metal tolerant variety CSG-8962. Amendment of FA with either GS or PM only moderately increased the contents of some essential metals whereas the non-essential Cd and Cr remained similar or decreased slightly compared to FA control. FA combined with either GS or PM increased the amount of photosynthetic pigments and was largely absent when SD was added to FA. Improved nitrogen availability led to increased nitrate reductase (NR) activity with all amendments but less so with SD. Metal stress indicating parameters were generally reduced (cysteine and non-protein thiols) or unchanged (ascorbic acid). In conclusion, of the tested ameliorants both GS and PM greatly improved growth of C. arietinum making FA a suitable component of plant growth substrates.     

Macro- and microelement distribution in organs of Glyceria maxima and biomonitoring applications

The content of nutrients (N, P, K, Ca and Mg) and of trace metals (Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, Pb, Cd, Co and Ni) in water, bottom sediments and various organs of Glyceria maxima from 19 study sites selected in the Jeziorka River was determined. In general, the concentrations of nutrients recorded in the plant material decreased in the following order: leaf>root>rhizome>stem, while the concentrations of the trace elements showed the following accumulation scheme: root>rhizome>leaf>stem. The bioaccumulation and transfer factors for nutrients were significantly higher than for trace metals. G. maxima from agricultural fields was characterised by the highest P and K concentrations in leaves, and plants from forested land contained high Zn and Ni amounts. However, the manna grass from small localities showed high accumulation of Ca, Mg and Mn. Positive significant correlations between Fe, Cu, Zn, Cd, Co and Ni concentrations in water or sediments and their concentrations in plant indicate that G. maxima may be employed as a biomonitor of trace element contamination. Moreover, a high degree of similarity was noted between self-organizing feature map (SOFM)-grouped sites of comparable quantities of elements in the water and sediments and sites where G. maxima had a corresponding content of the same elements in its leaves. Therefore, SOFM could be recommended in analysing ecological conditions of the environment from the perspective of nutrients and trace element content in different plant species and their surroundings.     

Characterization and statistical modeling of bacterial (Escherichia coli) outflows from watersheds that discharge into southern Lake Michigan

Two watersheds in northwestern Indiana were selected for detailed monitoring of bacterially contaminated discharges (Escherichia coli) into Lake Michigan. A large watershed that drains an urbanized area with treatment plants that release raw sewage during storms discharges into Lake Michigan at the outlet of Burns Ditch. A small watershed drains part of the Great Marsh, a wetland complex that has been disrupted by ditching and limited residential development, at the outlet of Derby Ditch. Monitoring at the outlet of Burns Ditch in 1999 and 2000 indicated that E. coli concentrations vary over two orders of magnitude during storms. During one storm, sewage overflows caused concentrations to increase to more than 10,000 cfu/100 mL for several hours. Monitoring at Derby Ditch from 1997 to 2000 also indicated that E. coli concentrations increase during storms with the highest concentrations generally occurring during rising streamflow. Multiple regression analysis indicated that 60% of the variability in measured outflows of E. coli from Derby Ditch (n = 88) could be accounted for by a model that utilizes continuously measured rainfall, stream discharge, soil temperature and depth to water table in the Great Marsh. A similar analysis indicated that 90% of the variability in measured E. coli concentrations at the outlet of Burns Ditch (n = 43) during storms could be accounted for by a combination of continuously measured water-quality variables including nitrate and ammonium. These models, which utilize data that can be collected on a real-time basis, could form part of an Early Warning System for predicting beach closures.     

不同亲疏水性质纳米氧化铝存在下铜对斜生栅藻毒性效应的研究

纳米氧化铝是应用非常广泛的一类人工纳米材料。当它被释放到水环境中后,会与环境中原有的重金属发生相互作用并对其毒性产生影响。文章研究了不同亲疏水性质的纳米氧化铝存在下铜对斜生栅藻的毒性效应,测定了藻细胞的生长抑制、金属积累及超氧化物歧化酶、谷胱甘肽、丙二醛等生化指标的变化。结果表明,纳米氧化铝显著降低了铜离子对藻细胞的生长抑制,藻细胞内铜的积累量及氧化损伤降低。但不同亲疏水性质的纳米氧化铝之间并不存在显著差别。这可能是由于纳米氧化铝对水中的铜离子发生了吸附,间接降低了藻液中的不稳态铜的浓度,从而减轻了铜对藻细胞的毒害。而纳米氧化铝的不同亲疏水性质对吸附水中铜离子的能力没有显著的影响。     

Cadmium tolerance and accumulation of Althaea rosea Cav. and its potential as a hyperaccumulator under chemical enhancement

The role of ornamental plants has drawn much attention as the urban pollution levels exacerbate. Althaea rosea Cav. had showed its strong tolerance and accumulation ability of Cd in our previous work, thus, the effects of ethylenediamine triacetic acid (EDTA), ethylenegluatarotriacetic acid (EGTA) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) on its Cd phytoremediation capacity were further investigated in this work. It reconfirmed that the species had strong tolerance and accumulation ability of Cd. Particularly, the species can be regarded as a potential Cd-hyperaccumulator through applying chemical agents. However, different chelators and surfactants had great differences in affecting hyperaccumulating characteristics of the species. EGTA and SDS could not only increase the dry biomass of the plants, but also promote Cd accumulation in shoots and roots. On the contrary, EDTA was toxic to the species by restraining the growth of plants, although it could promote Cd accumulation in shoots and roots of the plants to a certain extent. Thus, EGTA and SDS were effective in enhancing phytoremediation with Althaea rosea Cav. for Cd contaminated soils, while EDTA is ineffective in this regard.     

Copper availability assessment of Cu-contaminated vineyard soils using black oat cultivation and chemical extractants

Grapevines grown on acid soils with low fertility in southern Brazil are treated with intense foliar applications of copper (Cu) fungicides, resulting in an increased level of Cu in the soil and increased toxicity. The present study evaluated the accumulation and bioavailability of Cu, and soils with varying levels of Cu from the main producing regions of southern Brazil were collected. The forms of Cu present in the soil were assessed using chemical extractants; additionally, oat cultivation was performed, reflecting the use of the plant as an indicator of Cu bioavailability. Cu accumulated in the topsoil, mainly in bioavailable forms, and there was also an increase of Cu up to a depth of 0.4 m. Cu was primarily found in the mineral fraction, with apparent saturation of the soil organic matter functional groups. Inceptisol and Alfisol soils with a long history of cupric fungicide application were found to have levels of Cu toxic to oat plants. Furthermore, accumulated copper in Alfisol soil from the Campanha Gaúcha region of the state of Rio Grande do Sul had higher bioavailability compared to Cu accumulated in Inceptisol soil from the Serra Gaúcha region. In addition, the copper concentration in roots was found to serve as an indicator of Cu bioavailability in soil, but not of copper phytotoxicity in plants.