污灌与镉胁迫对菠菜几种抗氧化酶活性的影响（Effects of Sewage Irrigation and Cadmium Stresses on the Activities of Several Antioxidant Enzymes of Spinach）

为了探讨污水灌溉与镉胁迫对菠菜抗氧化酶活性的影响,采用盆栽试验的方法,分别用清水和生活污水配制不同浓度(0、1、5、10、50mg·L-1)的Cd2+溶液,对菠菜进行受试处理,每5d灌喷1次,共处理5次.分别采用邻苯二酚比色法、L-苯丙氨酸比色法、水杨酸比色法和高锰酸钾滴定法,对菠菜叶片多酚氧化酶(PPO)、苯丙氨酸解氨酶(PAL)、β-1,3葡聚糖酶(β-1,3glucanase)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性进行了测定.结果表明:1)清水处理系列:随着镉处理浓度的增大,与清水对照相比,PPO、PAL活性呈先升高后降低的趋势,CAT活性略有升高,β-1,3葡聚糖酶活性略有降低,各暴露组与清水对照组相比,均呈现显著差异(p<0.05).2)污水处理系列:随着镉处理浓度的增大,与污水对照相比,PPO、PAL活性呈先升高后降低的趋势,CAT和β-1,3葡聚糖酶活性呈逐渐降低趋势;各暴露组与污水对照相比,均呈现显著差异(p<0.05).3)相同Cd2+浓度下,与清水处理相比,各浓度污水处理PAL和PPO活性均明显降低(p<0.05);而β-1,3葡聚糖酶明显升高(p<0.05).以上结果显示:单一镉污染和生活污水与镉复合污染对菠菜不同抗氧化系统酶具有不同影响,这可能与污水中各成分与镉的相互作用有关.     

Cadmium toxicity induced changes in plant water relations and oxidative metabolism of Brassica juncea L. plants

Excess of cadmium (Cd) induced changes in oxidative scenario and water status of plants viz.., total water content, specific water content, water saturation deficit (WSD) and transpiration of Brassica juncea plants grown in soil pot culture. Although lower and marginal levels of excess cadmium (100 and 250 ppm) improved growth but higher levels (500 ppm) caused significant suppression. Significant accumulation of proline, an indicator of water stress, occurred at higher level of Cd. Gradual increases in activities of certain antioxidant enzymes such as catalase and peroxidase along with increased lipid peroxidation are suggestive of disturbed oxidative metabolism. Taking together, the deleterious effects of Cd and its effects on oxidative metabolism clearly indicate enhanced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) to be instrumental in producing toxic effects of Cd. The excess levels of Cd also decreased the concentrations of soluble protein and chlorophylls and increased the ratio of chlorophyll a/b.     

Studies on the uptake of cadmium by the crab Carcinus maenas in the laboratory. I. Accumulation from seawater and a food source

The crab Carcinus maenas (L.) was exposed to radioactively labelled cadmium dissolved in seawater at concentrations of 0.1, 1 and 10 ppm, the latter concentration being toxic to the crabs (50% mortality after 12.3 days). Net accumulation of cadmium from solution was proportional to the level and time period of cadmium exposure. Total absorbed cadmium levels reached 0.0043 and 0.0412 mg Cd g^-1 dry weight after 40 days exposure to 0.1 and 1 ppm Cd, respectively, and 0.1115 mg Cd g^-1 dry weight after 12.3 days average exposure to 10 ppm Cd. The highest tissue concentration was found in the midgut gland, reaching 0.786 mg Cd g^-1 dry weight after 12.3 days average exposure to 10 ppm Cd. The midgut gland only contained about 10% of the total cadmium absorbed from solution, while the exoskeleton contained the bulk of obsorbed cadmium (59 to 80%) probably passively adsorbed onto the surface. When cadmium was absorbed by the crabs from a food source, the midgut gland contained 16.9% of the total absorbed cadmium whereas the exoskeleton now contained only 22.2%. Ten percent of the cadmium available in the food source (Artemia salina) was accumulated by the crabs. When placed in cadmium-free seawater, crabs that had accumulated cadmium from solution lost 69% of the absorbed cadmium in 10 days, mostly from the exoskeleton which lost 78% of its original absorbed cadmium concentration.     

Post natal antioxidant enzyme activity of rat brain regions during developmental lead exposure

This study reports the effects of low level developmental Pb exposure on specific brain regions like hippocampus, cerebellum and cerebral hemispheres of antioxidant enzyme activities. Wistar dams were exposed to 50 ppm, 100 ppm and 500 ppm of Pb acetate in drinking water during pregnancy and lactation (gestation day 6 through PND 21 (post natal day) and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and glutathione reductase (GR) were determined in the hippocampus, cerebellum and cerebral hemispheres of pups during treatment period (PND 7, 14, and 21 days) and also during withdrawl period (PND 35, 45, 60 and 90 days). During treatment period, SOD activity significantly (p < 0.05) decreased in all regions of all the treated groups with maximum decrease in 500 ppm treated group of 21 days, while GSH-Px and GR activities increased with maximum increase in 21 days aged 500 ppm group. During withdrawl period, the activities of all enzymes were significantly (p < 0.05) reversed. Thus the perinatal exposure of dams to variable dosages of low level lead results in characteristic neurochemical alterations in rat brain regions due to impaired antioxidants function.     

洞庭湖湿地Cd富集植物蒌蒿(Artemisia selengensis)的耐性生理机制研究

采用盆栽植株和外源Cd胁迫的方法,分别对不同生长期蒌蒿植株根、叶组织中的抗氧化酶活性、可溶性蛋白及MDA含量进行测定,以揭示蒌蒿在Cd胁迫下的抗氧化机理和耐受机制。研究结果表明,Cd胁迫对上述生理指标均有显著影响:≤20mg·kg-1的Cd处理可使幼苗期植株器官中的可溶性蛋白含量增加16.5%～19.1%,100mg·kg-1的Cd含量水平则导致其含量减少近30%,可溶性蛋白含量的变化与植株的生物量积累关系密切;3种酶活性在0～10mg·kg-1的Cd处理下未显示出明显变化,幼苗期植株CAT、POD活性在10～80mg·kg-1的Cd胁迫下增加明显,高于此浓度范围则使酶蛋白受到破坏而失活,中等含量水平(≤40mg·kg-1)的Cd处理经过长时间作用可使植株逐渐适应胁迫环境,胁迫强度较大的Cd处理可显著提高SOD酶的活性;Cd胁迫过程中植株MDA积累量不断增加。3种抗氧化酶活性的增强在蒌蒿植株耐受Cd胁迫方面能起到较好的防御作用。     

Physicochemical characterization of sediments from Tajan river basin in the northern Iran

Abstract

Continuous monitoring of water quality of freshwater bodies may prevent outbreak of diseases and occurrence of hazards through employment of effective protection measures. The aim of the current investigation was to determine occurrence of water and sediment pollution in Tajan River North Iran which ultimately may be a threat to recreational beaches of Caspian Sea. Water samples were analyzed for various physicochemical parameters including pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), bicarbonates, sulfates, cations, chlorides and heavy metals. The concentrations of zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr) and lead (Pb) were determined using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Similarly, sediment samples were assessed for physicochemical characteristics including pH, EC, saturation percentage, organic matter, organic carbon, texture and cations. Overall, pH, EC, organic matter, and cation values were within acceptable limits according to USEPA water quality guidelines. However, phosphorus (P) concentration up to 5.6?mg/L was considered as “unsafe” which might result in undesirable eutrophication and increased accumulation of sediment organic content leading to excessive growth of algal species in riverine ecosystem. Heavy metal concentrations of Cd (0.08?ppm) and Pb (3?ppm) were above USEPA threshold limits which may consequently affect sustainability of Tajan River. The unacceptable levels of Cd, Pb and P may produce eutrophication of Caspian Sea coasts and damage the ecosystem.     

Effect of Pb,Cd and Cu on survival and development of Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae)

ABSTRACT

The present research aimed to determine the lowest levels of three heavy metals (Pb, Cd and Cu) to which the larvae of Southern House Mosquito, Culex quinquefasciatus are susceptible in water. The study also aimed to investigate the effects of these heavy metals on the development of Cx. quinquefasciatus at concentrations set by Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) as permissible levels for liquid industrial effluents. The 2nd instar larvae of Cx. quinquefasciatus were exposed to different concentrations of Pb, Cd and Cu and their effects on oviposition preference, egg hatching rate and larval development were studied. The LC₅₀ values of Pb, Cd and Cu were 12.6, 6.3 and 2.6?ppm, respectively. Gravid female mosquito adults deposited a significantly lower number of egg rafts in containers containing 0.50?ppm Pb or 1.0?ppm Cu in water. Each of the heavy metals in water resulted in significantly (p?<?0.05) lower egg hatching rate, prolonged time to pupation, lower pupation rate, prolonged time to adult emergence, lower adult emergence rate and higher female to male ratio. It is concluded that the 2nd instar larvae of Cx. quinquefasciatus are susceptible to Pak-EPA permissible levels of Pb, Cd and Cu in municipal and liquid industrial effluents.     

脱氧鬼臼毒素对斑马鱼（Danio rerio）代谢酶和抗氧化酶活性的影响（Effects of Deoxypodophyllotoxin on Activities of Metabolic Enzymes and Antioxidant Enzymes of Danio rerio）

为初步探讨脱氧鬼臼毒素(Deoxypodophyllotoxin,DOP)对鱼类的毒性效应,采用静态鱼类急性毒性试验法测定了DOP对斑马鱼(Daniorerio)代谢酶和抗氧化酶活性的影响;参照DOP的96hLC50值,设定4个浓度(0.5、1.0、2.0、4.0mg·L-1)处理斑马鱼,48h后测定斑马鱼肌肉组织腺苷三磷酸酶(ATPase)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性.结果表明,DOP对斑马鱼96hLC50值为3.49mg·L-1,安全浓度为0.36mg·L-1.DOP在0.5~4.0mg·L-1对斑马鱼肌肉总ATPase、Na+-K+-ATPase和Ca2+-ATPase的作用趋势均表现为:1.0和2.0mg·L-1显著激活(p<0.05,p<0.01);4.0mg·L-1显著抑制(p<0.05),抑制率分别为24.4%、12.3%和33.8%.DOP在0.5~4.0mg·L-1对斑马鱼肌肉抗氧化酶的作用趋势与对ATPase的作用趋势一致,表现为:1.0、2.0mg·L-1DOP对SOD和CAT均表现为显著激活(p<0.05,p<0.01);4.0mg·L-1DOP对SOD和CAT均表现为显著抑制(p<0.05),抑制率分别为34.1%和31.9%.以上结果表明,DOP对斑马鱼为中等毒性;斑马鱼肌肉组织ATPase、CAT和SOD可能是脱氧鬼臼毒素的作用标靶之一.     

Formation of metallothioneins in relation to accumulation of cadmium in the common mussel Mytilus edulis

Accumulation rates of Cd have been studied in the common mussel Mytilus edulis L. under different laboratory conditions. Semi-static and through-flow experiments were carried out at Cd concentrations of 200 ppb and 50/100 ppb in the water, respectively. A linear uptake of Cd throughout the experimental periods of 36 or 124 d was found in all experiments. The accumulation rate was 3.10 ppm d^-1 at 50 ppb in the through-flow water experiment, 4.1 ppm d^-1 in starved and 6.6 ppm d^-1 in fed mussels in the semi-static experiments with 200 ppb Cd in the water. The Cd-accumulation rate in various fractions of soft parts decreased in the order: body>mantle>muscles. Elution patterns obtained from gel-filtrations showed an increasing amount of Cd-binding proteins (metallothioneins) when the body burden of Cd increased. The Cd content in the body fraction of mussels transferred to clean water for 42 d after first being exposed to Cd during 124 d decreased from 564 ppm on a dry weight basis to 417 ppm while the fraction of Cd bound to metallothioneins rose from 22 to 78% during the same period.     

麝香酮和镉单一与复合污染对金鱼藻的生态毒理效应研究

为从生物化学角度探讨一种新型污染物———麝香酮与镉(Cd)单一和复合污染的生态毒理效应,以金鱼藻(Ceratophyllum demersum L.)为研究对象,分析了不同浓度麝香酮和Cd在水中单一与复合污染对金鱼藻叶片中抗氧化系统酶,包括超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT),脂质过氧化最终产物丙二醛(MDA),可溶性蛋白(SP)和叶绿素含量的影响.结果表明:在单一麝香酮和Cd暴露下,SOD活性第1天均显著降低,而第7天在低浓度污染物的胁迫下呈升高趋势;金鱼藻受麝香酮和Cd胁迫的第1天,POD酶活性分别呈升高和降低趋势;麝香酮浓度为0.05mg·L-1或Cd浓度为0.01mg·L-1时,金鱼藻叶片中的CAT活性变化表现为显著的毒物兴奋作用;用两种污染物单一或复合处理第7天,金鱼藻叶片中的MDA和叶绿素含量可以作为评价麝香酮或/和Cd污染水体环境的敏感指标;SP在这两种污染物胁迫下处于能量及脂蛋白的补偿和应激蛋白的合成两方面的得失平衡过程中,故其含量与处理浓度之间无显著相关关系;复合污染中低浓度的麝香酮和Cd复合对金鱼藻表现为拮抗作用,高浓度的复合表现为相加或协同作用.     

洞庭湖湿地镉富集植物蒌蒿（Artemisia selengensis）的抗氧化机理研究

以生长于洞庭湖湿地的重金属Cd的高富集植物——蒌蒿（Artemisia selengensis Turcz.）为试材,采用水培方法,对其在Cd2＋胁迫下的抗氧化机理进行研究。结果表明：（1）蒌蒿是一种对重金属Cd有极强耐受能力的植物,试验期内,低于80mg·L-1的Cd2＋处理不使其表现出外观受害症状;（2）蒌蒿叶片中三种抗氧化酶活性在Cd2＋胁迫下呈现出不同的变化特征：40mg·L-1以内的Cd2＋对植株SOD活性具有显著促进作用,40mg·L-1以上则抑制其活性;POD对Cd2＋的耐受能力较强,高达160mg·L-1的Cd2＋仍可提高其活性,且活性变化随处理时间的不同而不同;植株CAT的活性受Cd2＋影响明显,5～20mg·L-1的Cd2＋对其有显著促进作用,40mg·L-1的Cd2＋在处理前期有利于植株CAT活性的提高,后期则导致其下降。蒌蒿对Cd2＋胁迫的抗氧化机理应从处理浓度和处理时间两方面进行综合评价。     

Bioconcentration of Cd and Ni in various tissues of two marine bivalves living in different habitats and exposed to heavily polluted seawater

Two marine bivalves, Mytilus galloprovincialis and Callista chione, were exposed to various concentrations of cadmium and nickel (0.5, 1.0, 2.5 and 20 ppm), for 20 days, plus 10 days’ depuration period, in a laboratory experiment. Animals from each experimental condition were dissected and the bioaccumulation and distribution of Cd and Ni were determined in their gills, mantles and remaining bodies. The concentrations of Fe and Zn were also measured. Heavy metal tolerance, bioconcentration and distribution of heavy metals in tissues were considerably different in M. galloprovincialis and C. chione: (i) both animals were tolerant to Ni pollution, even at the highest concentration used; (ii) C. chione was more tolerant to Cd; (iii) M. galloprovincialis was a better Cd and Ni accumulator, with the exception of the highest Cd concentration tested, where C. chione accumulated more Cd; (iv) Fe and Zn levels were much more affected in M. galloprovincialis; (v) in general, accumulation and distribution of Ni and Cd in the tissues were metal-, species- and time of exposure- dependent; (vi) significant amounts of heavy metals remained in the tissues after 10 days’ depuration. Our results support a hypothesis for a two competing processes mechanism for metal accumulation and detoxification.     

芘暴露对马氏珠母贝鳃和肝胰腺抗氧化酶活性的影响

在实验生态条件下,采用生态毒理学方法,选用海洋环境中常见的有机污染物多环芳烃芘（Pyrene）,以马氏珠母贝（Pinctada martensi）为实验材料进行毒理实验。研究了芘不同质量浓度（8、16、32和64μg·L^-1、不同时间（7,10 d）的胁迫对马氏珠母贝鳃和肝胰腺组织中超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、过氧化物酶（POD）和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GPx）3种抗氧化酶活性的影响。结果表明：3种酶在不同组织和不同胁迫时间的敏感性有所差异,在芘胁迫马氏珠母贝第7天,鳃组织中 SOD、POD、GPx 3种酶活性主要表现为诱导现象,高质量浓度组对3种酶活性均具有极显著诱导作用（p〈0.01）,而芘胁迫对肝胰腺3种酶活性的影响主要表现为抑制作用,且POD酶活性表现最敏感,在较低浓度组就被显著抑制（p〈0.01）;到染毒第10天,鳃组织中SOD、GPx两种酶诱导作用明显,POD诱导现象不显著（p〉0.05）,肝胰腺中3种酶活性与对照组相比诱导明显,并表现出一定的剂效关系。两种组织中SOD和GPx活性的变化具有一定的同步性。通过比较最低可观察效应质量浓度（LOEC）,发现在第7天,鳃组织中敏感性强弱表现为SOD=POD〉GPx,肝胰腺中表现为POD〉GPx〉SOD,而到第10d,两组织中敏感性又分别表现为GPx〉SOD〉POD,GPx=SOD〉POD。因此,在较短的暴露时间,POD酶活性可作为芘胁迫对马氏珠母贝的生物标志物,而对于较长时间的染毒实验,可选用 GPx 酶作为芘胁迫对马氏珠母贝的生物标志物以监测海洋环境芘污染。     

Enzymatic and cellular level effects of chromium∗

Exposure of Cr to four hepatic enzymes activities of tilapia, viz. acid‐ and alkaline phosphatases, catalase and glucose‐6‐phosphatase, was contrary to the results obtained for Cd and Ni. This is the only heavy metal investigated thus far that dramatically augmented glucose‐6‐phosphatase by approximately 83% at a concentration of 12 mg L^‐1 in vivo in lieu of the fact of an initial inhibition of approximately 45 % at a lower concentration of Cr; 6 mg L^‐1. In the case of acid phosphatase and catalase activities progressive increment was observed up to 50 and 217% respectively at a concentration of 12 mg L^‐1 Cr. On the other hand, in contrast to all the investigated enzymes interestingly alkaline phosphatase was inhibited continuously at all concentrations up to 46% at 12 mgL^‐1 Cr. In vitro experiments were contrary to the above mentioned results, whereby all hepatic enzymes were inhibited with major inhibition observed for acid phosphatase of approximately 60% from 5 mgL^‐1 Cr onwards in the system.

At cellular level, Cr exposure at a lethal dose of 12 mgL^‐1 demonstrated similar effects to that of Cd. In general, the glycogen and fat reserves were depleted while lysosomal activity is increased. As compared to the effects of Cd, the mitochondria did not indicate any prominent reflection in the formation of intramitochondrial bodies. Further, similar to Cd, the cell membrane as well as nucleus were not affected.     

Accumulation of cadmium by Artemia salina

The relative importance of accumulation of cadmium by Artemia salina (L.) directly from solution and from ingested food has been studied at 3 cadmium concentrations (0.1, 1 and 10 ppm) under controlled experimental conditions. At each cadmium concentration, A. salina were exposed to cadmium in 4 ways; in solution; in solution in the presence of latex food particles; in solution with cadmium-rich Dunaliella tertiolecta as a food source; and to cadmium-rich D. tertiolecta alone. Net accumulation of cadmium by A. salina continued throughout 5 days exposure under all 4 conditions. When the brine shrimp were removed to cadmium-free conditions, their accumulated cadmium concentrations declined and levelled off to a stabilised plateau after 10 days. From consideration of these stabilised levels it was shown that at least 30% of cadmium accumulation directly from solution occurs via uptake through the alimentary tract. The ratio of cadmium accumulated from solution to cadmium accumulated from food was found to be 1:4.9, 1:6.7 and 1:1.1 at 0.1, 1 and 10 ppm Cd exposure, respectively. At lower cadmium exposures uptake from food is the major route for cadmium accumulation, but at higher exposures the cadmium-saturated food source displaced cadmium-rich water from the gut and therefore actually inhibited cadmium accumulation. This study, therefore, concludes that the food chain will be the major source of cadmium as long as the previous trophic level has the ability to accumulate the metal to such an extent as to make it more available to the consumer than by direct uptake from seawater.     

Variations between rice cultivars in root secretion of organic acids and the relationship with plant cadmium uptake

To attempt to understand certain mechanisms causing the variations between rice cultivars with regard to Cd uptake and accumulation, pot soil experiments were conducted with two rice cultivars at different levels of Cd, i.e., 0 (the control), 10, 50 mg Cd kg⁻¹ soil. The two rice cultivars differ significantly with regard to Cd uptake and accumulation. Root secretions of low-molecular-weight organic acids (LMWOA) for each treatment were measured with ion chromatography. The results showed that LMWOA concentrations in the soil planted with Shan you 63 (a high soil Cd accumulator) were all higher than those in the soil planted with Wu yun jing 7 (low soil Cd accumulator) at different soil Cd levels, although the magnitudes of the differences varied for individual LMWOA and depend on soil Cd concentrations. For all six LMWOA, there were significant differences at P < 0.05 or < 0.01 levels for soils treated with 10 and 50 mg kg⁻¹ Cd. The magnitude of the differences was greater under soil Cd treatments, especially at relatively low levels (for example, 10 mg Cd kg⁻¹ soil), than in the control. Acetic acid and formic acid constituted more than 96% of the total concentration of the six LMWOA, while citric acid constituted only about 0.1%. The rice cultivar with higher concentrations of LMWOA in soil accumulated more Cd in the plants. The results indicate that LMWOA secretion by rice root, especially in Cd-contaminated soils, is likely to be one of the mechanisms determining the plant Cd uptake properties of rice cultivars.     

硫酸锰废渣浸出液对斑马鱼的毒性及抗氧化酶活性的影响

已有研究表明,堆积在湘西花垣河河岸的硫酸锰废渣含有多种重金属,可能是导致花垣河河水和沉积物重金属污染的主要原因.为了评价硫酸锰废渣的潜在生态风险和对水生动物的毒性,本研究分析了硫酸锰废渣浸出液中的主要重金属成分,用漫出液对斑马鱼进行了急性毒性实验,观察在急性胁迫下斑马鱼的体征变化,测定了斑马鱼在亚致死浓度下的生化指标的...     

Role of nano-powder of Azadirachta indica leaves to regulate the physiological responses and metal uptake in Triticum aestivum seedlings

In the present study different doses (0.05, 2.0 and 5.0?mg per 30?ml nutrient medium) of nano-powder (Azadirachta indica leaves) were applied in Cd contaminated (6?ppm) hydroponic system to regulate the metal uptake in Triticum aestivum (wheat) seedlings. Other physiological attributes including oxidative biomarkers, antioxidants and photosynthetic responses were also assessed. The level of Cd was maximally reduced at the dose of 2.0?mg nano powder per 30?ml nutrient medium by 45 and 49% in the shoot and root, respectively. With the maximum reduction in the Cd uptake at this dose, the generation of oxidative stress markers such as H₂O₂ (12%), MDA (26%) and SOR (20%) content showed maximum reduction in treated seedlings. At different doses of nano-powder, the activities of antioxidative enzymes were also showed significant variation. Further, the photosynthetic O₂ evolution rate was improved with the treatment of nano-powder and the best response was noted at 2.0?mg per 30?ml nutrient medium with the maximum value of fresh shoot biomass (38%). The overall results suggest that, this technique could be easily applied for reducing the metal content and increasing the quality of agricultural crops.     

Cadmium tolerance and accumulation in fifteen wetland plant species from cadmium-polluted water in constructed wetlands

Variations in cadmium (Cd) tolerances and accumulations among fifteen wetland plant species in moderately (0.5 mg·L⁻¹) and heavily (1.0 mg·L⁻¹) Cd-polluted wastewaters were investigated in constructed wetlands. Cd removal efficiencies from the wastewaters were more than 90%, and 23.5% and 16.8% of the Cd in the water accumulated in wetland plants for 0.5 and 1.0 mg·L⁻¹ Cd treatments, respectively. The variations among the plant species were 29.4-fold to 48.7-fold in plant biomasses, 5.4-fold to 21.9-fold in Cd concentrations, and 13.8-fold to 29.6-fold in Cd accumulations. The plant species were also largely diversified in terms of Cd tolerance. Some species were tolerant of heavy Cd stress, and some others were sensitive to moderate Cd level. Four wetland plant species were selected for the treatment of Cd-polluted wastewater for their high Cd accumulating abilities and relative Cd tolerances. Plant Cd quantity accumulations are correlated positively and significantly (P <0.05) with plant biomasses and correlated positively but insignificantly (P >0.05) with plant Cd concentrations. The results indicate that the Cd accumulation abilities of wetland plant species are determined mainly by their biomasses and Cd tolerances in growth, which should be the first criteria in selecting wetland plant species for the treating Cd-polluted wastewaters. Cd concentration in the plants may be the second consideration.     

Use of the digestive gland of the oyster Crassostrea rhizophorae (Guilding, 1828) as a bioindicator of Zn,Cd and Cu contamination in estuarine sediments (south-east Brazil)

This study demonstrates the accumulation of Zn, Cd and Cu in the digestive gland of the oyster Crassostrea rhizophorae in response to the contamination of sediments and discusses the potential use of this specific organ in monitoring metal contamination in tropical areas. Sediment and oyster samples were collected from coastal Rio de Janeiro sites with different levels of human impact: Sepetiba Bay, Guanabara Bay and the Paraty coast. Metal concentrations were measured using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES). Significant statistical differences (p<0.001; p<0.05) were observed for Zn and Cd concentrations in the digestive gland; the highest Zn concentrations were found at Sepetiba, followed by Guanabara and Paraty. The highest digestive gland Cd concentrations were found at Paraty, followed by Sepetiba and Guanabara. These concentrations were proportional to those found in the sediments. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in Cu among the sampling sites. The highest digestive-gland Cu concentration was also found at Sepetiba, followed by Guanabara. The biosediment accumulation factor indicated a gradient of sediment contamination for Zn and Cd. The digestive gland of C. rhizophorae can be a potential indicator of trace metal contamination in sediments from tropical estuarine environments.