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.     

广东区域酸雨污染模拟研究

运用数值模拟方法，使用一年365日的风速资料、12个月的降水资料和环境监测资料以及年平均的污染源资料，对广东地区的酸雨污染进行了较细致的分析。结果认为，以日为基础的累积计算，对于提高模拟酸雨污染的能力是很有帮助的。广东省的酸雨污染主要是由自身排放的污染物造成，外来的污染是次要的，在广东边界地区发现受到外省污染的显著痕迹。     

Antioxidant response of soybean seedlings to joint stress of lanthanum and acid rain

Excess of rare earth elements in soil can be a serious environmental stress on plants, in particular when acid rain coexists. To understand how such a stress affects plants, we studied antioxidant response of soybean leaves and roots exposed to lanthanum (0.06, 0.18, and 0.85 mmol L^?1) under acid rain conditions (pH 4.5 and 3.0). We found that low concentration of La³⁺ (0.06 mmol L^?1) did not affect the activity of antioxidant enzymes (catalase and peroxidase) whereas high concentration of La³⁺ (≥0.18 mmol L^?1) did. Compared to treatment with acid rain (pH 4.5 and pH 3.0) or La³⁺ alone, joint stress of La³⁺ and acid rain affected more severely the activity of catalase and peroxidase, and induced more H₂O₂ accumulation and lipid peroxidation. When treated with high level of La³⁺ (0.85 mmol L^?1) alone or with acid rain (pH 4.5 and 3.0), roots were more affected than leaves regarding the inhibition of antioxidant enzymes, physiological function, and growth. The severity of oxidative damage and inhibition of growth caused by the joint stress associated positively with La³⁺ concentration and soil acidity. These results will help us understand plant response to joint stress, recognize the adverse environmental impact of rare earth elements in acidic soil, and develop measures to eliminate damage caused by such joint stress.     

Impacts of simulated acid rain on cation leaching from the Latosol in south China

Acid rain is a problem of increasing agricultural, environmental, and ecological concerns worldwide. This study investigated impacts of simulated acid rain (SAR) on cation leaching from the Latosol in south China. Latosol is an acidic red soil and occurs in the tropical rainforest biome. Laboratory experiments were performed by leaching the soil columns with the SAR at a pH range from 2.5 to 7.0 over a 21-day period. A linear increase in effluent K⁺ concentration was found at the SAR pH 3.0, whereas an exponential decrease in effluent Na⁺ concentration was observed at all levels of the SAR pH. In general, leaching of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ from the Latosol increased as the SAR pH decreased. There was a very good nonlinear correlation between the removal of soil K⁺ and the SAR pH (R² = 0.91), a good nonlinear correlation between the removal of soil Mg⁺² and the SAR pH (R² = 0.83), a fairly good nonlinear correlation between the removal of soil Ca⁺² and the SAR pH (R² = 0.56), and no correlation between the removal of soil Na⁺ and the SAR pH (R² = 0.06). Our study further revealed that the removal of soil cations such as K⁺, Ca⁺², and Mg⁺² can be quantified by the quadratic polynomial equations. In addition, impacts of the SAR on cation leaching depended not only on the SAR pH but also on the original soil pH.     

Effects of root anatomy and Fe plaque on arsenic uptake by rice seedlings grown in solution culture

Hydroponic experiments were carried out to investigate the effects of root anatomy, induced by aeration and stagnation, and Fe plaque on arsenic (III&V) uptake and translocation by rice plants. The results showed that As uptake in rice plants (Gui Chao-2) treated by aeration was decreased due to lower root specific surface area. Rice roots with larger specific surface area tended to form more Fe plaque, and Fe plaque affected As uptake kinetics by changing As influx curves from linear to hyperbolic for As(III) and from hyperbolic to S-curve for As(V). Fe plaque increased As(III&V) adsorption and minimized the effects of root anatomy characteristics on As uptake into roots and subsequently translocation to shoots. Fe plaque increased As(III) uptake rate at As(III) concentrations of 0.5∼8 mg L⁻¹, reduced As(V) uptake rate at low As(V) concentrations (<2 mg L⁻¹), but increased As uptake rate at high As(V) concentrations (>6 mg L⁻¹).     

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.     

模拟酸雨对大宝山尾矿淋滤实验研究

在模拟酸雨作用下,研究了大宝山尾矿中重金属Cd、Pb及Mn的释放规律及动力学。结果表明,在淋滤液不同酸度(pH为5.6、4.8、3.0)条件下,不同重金属呈现出不同的释放规律。随着淋滤量的增加,淋出液pH逐渐上升;Cd和Mn的释放可分为快速释放和慢速释放2个阶段,Pb的释放速度一直相对稳定。随着淋滤液pH的降低,淋出液pH降低,重金属的释放量及释放速度增加;淋滤液pH对3种重金属释放的影响程度为Pb>Mn>Cd。Cd和Mn的释放可用准二级动力学方程及Elovich方程很好拟合,准二级动力学方程更优;Pb的释放可用双常数方程和零级动力学方程很好拟合。     

The role of radial oxygen loss and root anatomy on zinc uptake and tolerance in mangrove seedlings

Root anatomy, radial oxygen loss (ROL) and zinc (Zn) uptake and tolerance in mangrove plants were investigated using seedlings of Aegiceras corniculatum, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza and Rhizophora stylosa. The results revealed that B. gymnorrhiza, which possessed the ‘tightest barrier’ in ROL spatial patterns among the three species studied, took up the least Zn and showed the highest Zn tolerance. Furthermore, zinc significantly decreased the ROL of all three plants by inhibition of root permeability, which included an obvious thickening of outer cortex and significant increases of lignification in cell walls. The results of SEM X-ray microanalysis further confirmed that such an inducible, low permeability of roots was likely an adaptive strategy to metal stress by direct prevention of excessive Zn entering into the root. The present study proposes new evidence of structural adaptive strategy on metal tolerance by mangrove seedlings.     

模拟酸雨对磷酸二氢钾钝化污染土壤Cu、Cd、Pb和P释放的影响

以磷酸二氢钾(PDP)钝化后的重金属污染土壤为研究对象,通过室内土柱淋溶实验,考察在pH为3.5、4.5和5.6的模拟酸雨作用下土壤Cu、Cd、Pb和P的释放特征。结果表明:PDP处理较对照处理显著增加了淋出液中pH、电导率(EC)和总有机碳(TOC)含量,但不同pH模拟酸雨对对照和PDP处理淋出液pH、EC和TOC含量影响较小。对照处理中,正磷酸盐含量维持在较低水平(0.02~0.13 mg·L-1);PDP处理下,正磷酸盐含量在1~3 L和4~12 L分别是《地表水环境质量标准》(GB 3838-2002)五类水标准(总磷含量0.4 mg·L-1)的55.1~819倍和9.46~46.6倍,对地表水表现出较大的富营养化风险。PDP处理较对照处理显著降低了淋溶初期淋出液中的Cu、Cd和Pb含量,但是随模拟酸雨pH降低,对照和PDP处理的土壤淋出液中Cu、Pb含量均未表现出显著差异。因此,PDP处理能够显著钝化污染土壤中的Cu、Cd和Pb,但需关注酸雨淋溶下过量磷释放对地表水富营养化的潜在风险。     

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.     

Effects of simulated acid rain on pollen physiology and ultrastructure in the apple

Viability, germination and tube length were investigated in pollen grains of field-grown 'Summerred' apple trees (Malus domestica Borkh) exposed to deionized water, rainfall or simulated acid rain at pH 5.6, 4.0 and 3.0. Pollen viability and germination significantly decreased with lower values of pH and with increasing number of treatments. The effects of pH 5.6 and natural rainfall were not significant. Electron microscope investigation of vegetative pollen cells of plants exposed to acid rain at pH 4.0 and 3.0 showed modified features in mitochondria, plastids and endoplasmic reticulum.     

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.     

Effects of sulfur dioxide pollution on the translocation and accumulation of heavy metals in soybean grain

Background  

Open-top chambers were used to study the impact of simultaneous exposure to atmospheric SO₂ pollution and heavy metal contamination in soils on the metal contents and productivity of soybean plant.     

Effects of wastewater discharge on formation of Fe plaque on root surface and radial oxygen loss of mangrove roots

Effects of wastewater discharge on radial oxygen loss (ROL), formation of iron (Fe) plaque on root surface, and their correlations in Bruguiera gymnorrhiza (L.) Poir and Excoecaria agallocha L. were investigated. ROL along a lateral root increased more rapidly in control than that in strong wastewater (with pollutant concentrations ten times of that in municipal sewage, 10NW) treatment, but less Fe plaque was formed in control for both plants. For B. gymnorrhiza receiving 10NW, Fe plaque formation was more at basal and mature zones than at root tip, while opposite trend was shown in E. agallocha. At day 0, the correlation between ROL and Fe plaque was insignificant, but negative and positive correlations were found in 10NW and control, respectively, at day 105, suggesting that more ROL was induced leading to more Fe plaque. However, excess Fe plaque also served as a ‘barrier’ to prevent excessive ROL in 10NW plants.     

Cd、Ni单一及复合污染对土壤酶活性的影响

采用外源添加重金属和露天盆栽实验研究了Cd、Ni对含羞草、三叶草根际土壤脲酶、过氧化氢酶和蔗糖酶活性的影响。结果表明,Cd、Ni单一污染条件下,低浓度的Cd、Ni对含羞草组、三叶草组的脲酶、过氧化氢酶有激活作用,高浓度的Cd、Ni对土壤脲酶、过氧化氢酶有一定的抑制作用;对蔗糖酶有较强的抑制作用。在Cd、Ni复合污染条件下,对含羞草组、三叶草组的脲酶、过氧化氢酶和蔗糖酶产生抑制作用;Cd、Ni单一及复合污染对土壤酶活性的抑制大小顺序为:脲酶>蔗糖酶>过氧化氢酶,其中土壤脲酶可以作为Cd、Ni污染的预警指标。含羞草能显著提高土壤脲酶、过氧化氢酶和蔗糖酶的活性,修复能力大于三叶草,在Cd、Ni污染修复方面有很好的应用前景。     

Effects of high atmospheric CO2 concentration on root hydraulic conductivity of conifers depend on species identity and inorganic nitrogen source

We examined root hydraulic conductivity (L_p) responses of one-year-old seedlings of four conifers to the combined effects of elevated CO₂ and inorganic nitrogen (N) sources. We found marked interspecific differences in L_p responses to high CO₂ ranging from a 37% increase in P. abies to a 27% decrease in P. menziesii, but these effects depended on N source. The results indicate that CO₂ effects on root water transport may be coupled to leaf area responses under nitrate (NO₃⁻), but not ammonium (NH₄⁺) dominated soils. To our knowledge, this is the first study that highlights the role of inorganic N source and species identity as critical factors that determine plant hydraulic responses to rising atmospheric CO₂ levels. The results have important implications for understanding root biology in a changing climate and for models designed to predict feedbacks between rising atmospheric CO₂, N deposition, and ecohydrology.     

放电等离子体与饲养酵母联合处理味精废水的初步研究

对采用放电等离子体与饲养酵母联合处理味精废水进行了初步研究。结果表明，放电等离子体预处理后废水的CODcr值普遍升高，但经假丝酵母联合处理后CODCr去除率增加了38．3％，效果明显优于仅采用饲养酵母法处理的味精废水，说明放电等离子体预处理可使味精废水中的有机大分子破坏成小分子，有利于生物降解，为味精废水治理提供了一条新的途径。实验初步研究了联合处理后的CODcr去除率与预处理电压、预处理电流、预处理次数的关系，结果表明存在相应的最优值。     

镉胁迫对向日葵幼苗生长和生理特性的影响

采用溶液培养方法,研究了不同浓度镉(0、0.05、0.1、0.5和1 mg/L)处理7 d对向日葵幼苗生长和生理特性的影响。结果表明：随着镉处理浓度的增加,向日葵幼苗对镉的吸收显著增加。1 mg/L镉浓度处理时,叶、茎和根中镉浓度分别为0.05 mg/L镉处理时的16.3、19.2和581倍;根中积累的镉含量明显高于叶和茎, 各浓度根部积累的镉分别为叶和茎的37.8～63倍和29.4～41倍。镉胁迫显著抑制向日葵幼苗生长和叶绿素合成,当镉浓度达1 mg/L时,整株植物生物量和总叶绿素含量分别为对照的55.9%和52.6%。镉胁迫下向日葵幼苗游离脯氨酸和丙二醛（MDA）含量显著增加,1 mg/L镉浓度时,根中含量分别为对照的4和5.8倍。向日葵幼苗可溶性蛋白含量和过氧化物酶(POD)活性变化与镉胁迫浓度呈明显的倒U字型关系,可溶性蛋白含量在0.05 mg/L镉浓度时达到最大值,叶、茎、根中的POD活性分别在0.1、0.1和0.05 mg/L镉浓度时达到最大值。     

Cd、Pb复合污染下柠檬酸对龙葵修复效率及抗氧化酶的影响

植物修复土壤重金属被普遍认为是清洁、经济的生物修复方法。为了提高生物修复土壤重金属污染的效率,在室内盆栽实验中添加柠檬酸作为螯合剂促进龙葵对重金属的吸收,并研究其生理活性的变化。结果表明:当添加柠檬酸浓度为10 nmol/kg时,龙葵生物量显著提高(P<0.05),各部分生物量表现为:茎>叶>根;随着柠檬酸浓度的增加,龙葵对重金属Cd的吸收量显著(P<0.05)增加,在10 nmol时总吸收量最大,为229.85μg/g DW;龙葵对Cd、Pb的富集系数均在柠檬酸浓度为5 nmol/kg时达到最大;Pb吸收量随柠檬酸浓度增加表现出先增大后减小的趋势;添加柠檬酸促进了龙葵对Cd的吸收,增强了抗氧化酶活性,而对Pb的吸收效果不明显。     

Effects of glyphosate and foliar amendments on activity of microorganisms in the soybean rhizosphere

A field study was conducted to determine the effects of glyphosate on microbial activity in the rhizosphere of glyphosate-resistant (GR) soybean and to evaluate interactions with foliar amendments. Glyphosate at 0.84 kg ae ha^{? 1} was applied GR soybean at the V4–V5 development stages. Check treatments included a conventional herbicide tank mix (2003 study only) and no herbicides (hand-weeded). Ten days after herbicide application, a commercially available biostimulant and a urea solution (21.0% N) were applied to soybean foliage at 33.5 mL ha^{? 1} and 9.2 kg ha^{? 1}, respectively. Soil and plant samples were taken 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 days after herbicide application then assayed for enzyme and respiration activities. Soil respiration and enzyme activity increased with glyphosate and foliar amendment applications during the 2002 growing season; however, similar increases were not observed in 2003. Contrasting cumulative rainfall between 2002 and 2003 likely accounted for differences in soil microbial activities. Increases in soil microbial activity in 2002 suggest that adequate soil water and glyphosate application acted together to increase microbial activity. Our study suggests that general soil microbial properties including those involving C and N transformations are not sensitive enough to detect effects of glyphosate on rhizosphere microbial activity. Measurements of soil-plant-microbe relationships including specific microbial groups (i.e., root-associated Fusarium spp.) are likely better indicators of impacts of glyphosate on soil microbial ecology.