Enhanced adaptability of Sesbania rostrata to Pb/Zn tailings via stem modulation

Sesbania rostrata is renowned for its stem nodulation, but the role of stem nodulation in the root nodulation and adaptation of S.rostrata to Pb/Zn-enriched tailings environment has been poorly understood.We investigated the effects of inoculating (with stem nodule treatment) and non-inoculating (without stem nodule treatment) Azorhizobium caulinodans on the growth, root nodulation, and N fixation of S.rostrata grown on three different types of soil substrata: Pb/Zn tailings, garden soil amended tailings, and garden soil.The results showed that plant height, stem basal diameter, biomass, chlorophyll content, nitrogen content and N-accumulation per plant were 2.3%-4.9%, 2.2%-7.7%, 27.8%-72.2%, 17.1%-23.5%, 12.3%-34.2%, and 43.1%-131.2% higher in treatments with stem nodule than those without stem nodule for the same soil substrate, respectively.With respect to soil substrata, all the measurements had consistently higher values in tailings than in amended tailings and garden soil, indicating that the poorer the soil condition, the greater the contribution of stem nodule.In contrast, the number and fresh weight of root nodules on plants without stem nodule were 6.9-11.6 times and 5.8-29.0 times higher than those with stem nodule, respectively, especially with respect to the plants grew on Pb/Zn tailings.In general, stem nodulation favored plant growth and nitrogen fixation of S.rostrata, but suppressed root nodulation.With the ability of stem and root nodulation, S.rostrata can be used as a pioneer plant species for remediation of Pb/Zn tailings.     

Influence of Indian mustard （Brassicajuncea） on rhizosphere soil solution chemistry in long-term contaminated soils： A rhizobox study

This study investigated the influence of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) root exudation on soil solution properties (pH, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), metal solubility) in the rhizosphere using a rhizobox. Measurement was conducted following the cultivation of Indian mustard in the rhizobox filled four di erent types of heavy metal contaminated soils (two alkaline soils and two acidic soils). The growth of Indian mustard resulted in a significant increase (by 0.6 pH units) in rhizosphere soil solution pH of acidic soils and only a slight increase (< 0.1 pH units) in alkaline soils. Furthermore, the DOC concentration increased by 17–156 mg/L in the rhizosphere regardless of soil type and the extent of contamination, demonstrating the exudation of DOC from root. Ion chromatographic determination showed a marked increase in the total dissolved organic acids (OAs) in rhizosphere. While root exudates were observed in all soils, the amount of DOC and OAs in soil solution varied considerably amongst di erent soils, resulting in significant changes to soil solution metals in the rhizosphere. For example, the soil solution Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn concentrations increased in the rhizosphere of alkaline soils compared to bulk soil following plant cultivation. In contrast, the soluble concentrations of Cd, Pb, and Zn in acidic soils decreased in rhizosphere soil when compared to bulk soils. Besides the influence of pH and DOC on metal solubility, the increase of heavy metal concentration having high stability constant such as Cu and Pb resulted in a release of Cd and Zn from solid phase to liquid phase.     

Modelling sulphate-enhanced cadmium uptake by Zea mays from nutrient solution under conditions of constant free Cd2+ ion activity

A controlled hydroponic experiment was undertaken to investigate Cd uptake in relation to the activity of Cd species in solution other than the free ion (Cd²⁺) by maintaining a constant Cd²⁺ activity under variable SO₄₂⁻ and Cl⁻ concentrations exposed to maize (Zea mays var. Cameron) plants. The objectives of these experiments were: (1) to distinguish and quantify the different uptake rates of free and inorganic-complexed Cd from nutrient solution, and (2) to model the uptake of Cd by maize with a Biotic Ligand Model (BLM) in a system which facilitates the close examination of root characteristics. Results of the current experiments suggest that, in addition to the free ion, CdSO₄⁰ complexes are important factors in determining Cd uptake in nutrient solution by maize plants. Higher nominal SO₄²⁻ concentrations in solution generally resulted in a greater Cd accumulation by maize plants than predicted by the Cd²⁺ activity. A better integration of the complete dataset for the 3 harvest times (6, 9 and 11 days after treatment) was achieved by including consideration of both the duration of Cd exposure and especially the root surface area to express Cd uptake. Similarly, the fit of the BLM was also improved when taking into account exposure time and expressing uptake in terms of root morphological parameters.     

库布齐沙漠油蒿灌丛土壤呼吸速率时空变异特征研究

利用Li-840红外气体分析仪和Li-6400-09土壤呼吸气室组装而成的动态密闭土壤呼吸测定系统,于2006年生长季对内蒙古库布齐沙漠油蒿(Artemisia ordosica)生态系统2种不同类型土壤的土壤呼吸速率进行了野外测定,分析了日动态、季节动态及其对环境因子的响应,并阐述了油蒿灌丛空间异质性的特征.结果表明,油蒿灌丛的土壤呼吸速率日动态呈单峰曲线,在12:00左右有最大值.在适宜的水分和温度条件下,生长季里土壤呼吸速率在7～8月份出现最大值.土壤呼吸速率的季节动态与土壤含水量有显著的相关关系,表明水分是限制生长季干旱区灌丛土壤呼吸的最重要因子,分别可以解释油蒿冠幅下土壤和裸地的土壤呼吸速率2006年主要生长季节(5～9月)变化的75%和77%.油蒿灌丛土壤呼吸速率在空间尺度上存在着显著的异质性.油蒿冠幅覆盖下的土壤呼吸速率季节平均值为(155.58±15.20) mg·(m²·h)^-1,要显著地大于灌丛间裸地的数值(110.50±6.77) mg·(m²·h)^-1.2种不同类型土壤的土壤呼吸速率是由于根生物量的差异引起的,根生物量可以解释2006年生长季库布齐油蒿灌丛土壤呼吸速率空间异质性的43%.结果表明,在植被覆盖度异质性较大的灌丛生态系统中,要准确定量生态系统碳的释放时,必须充分考虑小尺度上土壤呼吸的空间异质性.     

根系分泌物调控对人工湿地去除雌激素的影响

通过在所构建的3组垂直流人工湿地(CW1、CW2、CW3)中添加不同ρ(DOC)(0、14、28 mg/L,DOC为溶解性有机碳)的美人蕉根系浸出液来模拟根系分泌物浓度变化,考察其对2种SEs(steroidal estrogens,类固醇雌激素)去除效果的影响. 结果表明:①虽然根系浸出液和根系分泌物中的ρ(DOC)存在差异,但二者成分比例类似,均含有多种小分子化合物(如氨基酸、多糖、有机酸、脂肪酸、醇、烷等),并且甘油含量均为最高. ②各组湿地对SEs的去除率表现为CW2>CW3≈CW1,CW2对E1(Estrone,雌酮)、EE2(17α-Ethinylestradiol,17α-乙炔基雌二醇)的去除率最高可分别达到86.9%、72.7%. ③各组湿地全细菌和AOB(ammonia oxidizing bacteria, 氨氧化细菌)平均密度大小表现为CW3>CW2>CW1,NOB(nitrite oxidation bacteria, 亚硝酸氧化细菌)平均密度大小表现为CW2>CW3>CW1,DNB(denitrifying bacteria, 反硝化细菌)平均密度大小表现为CW3>CW1≈CW2,各组湿地基质上生物膜的脱氢酶活性表现为CW2>CW1>CW3.研究显示,适量添加根系浸出液有利于SEs的去除,但根系浸出液中ρ(DOC)过高,可能会对植物根系和特定根系微生物(如NOB)的生长造成毒害作用,并抑制微生物活性,从而影响SEs的去除效果.      

水溶性有机物对土壤中菲的生态毒性影响

采用生物培养和物理化学试验,研究了水溶性有机物(DOM)对土壤中phe生态毒性的影响.结果表明,本研究所用DOM均具有表面活性;小麦根phe毒害的敏感区间为0～200mg/kg,200mg/kg是土壤中phe的50%小麦根伸长抑制率浓度.DOM的存在会降低phe的生态毒性,但是降低程度与其疏水性馏分含量和表面活性有关,且phe生态毒性的降低程度随DOM浓度的增大而增大.本研究的结果说明DOM能减轻土壤中phe的生态毒性.     

镉胁迫对苎麻(Boehmeria nivea)根系及叶片抗氧化系统的影响

镉(Cd)是非必需和毒性最强的重金属元素之一,不合理的开发利用可导致土壤受到Cd的严重污染,严重危及土壤环境或水环境。以苎麻为材料,采用模拟镉(Cd)污染盆栽培养法,选择21 d和49 d等2个不同胁迫期,测定不同浓度Cd2+胁迫下苎麻根系与叶片中渗透调节物质含量、超氧化物岐化酶(SOD)活性、过氧化物酶(POD)活性、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性、丙二醛(MDA)含量及根系活力的变化。结果表明,高浓度胁迫49 d后,苎麻根系中的渗透调节物质含量明显高于叶片含量,且极显著高于对照,并在240 mg·L~(-1)Cd处理下出现最高值;胁迫49 d时,根系与叶片的渗透调节物质含量与Cd2+浓度极显著正相关。在2个不同胁迫周期,苎麻根系的SOD与POD活性均明显高于叶片;在胁迫21 d时,根系的CAT活性低于叶片,而胁迫49 d后,则明显高于叶片;胁迫21 d时,苎麻根系与叶片的抗氧化酶活性均较胁迫49 d要高;胁迫49 d时,根系POD活性与Cd2+浓度呈极显著正相关,表明根系POD酶在抗氧化酶中占主导地位。不同胁迫时长下苎麻根系或叶片的MDA含量变化趋势不明显,但根系或叶片受胁迫21 d后的MDA含量随Cd2+浓度增加的波动相对受胁迫49 d后的更明显,表明植物早期生理功能出现暂时性的修复。2个不同胁迫周期内,不同浓度镉胁迫下苎麻的根系活力均比对照组下降。研究显示,苎麻根系与叶片对镉胁迫的应答机制不同,且在不同胁迫时间下的响应机理差异较大,根系表现出更强的耐受能力。     

小麦根系菲与磷吸收及转运的相互作用

作物根系对多环芳烃(PAHs)与磷吸收及转运之间的相互作用研究对农产品的安全生产和PAHs污染环境植物修复的强化具有重要意义。为此,本文以菲为PAHs的代表,采用水培试验研究了不同磷、菲水平下小麦根系菲、磷吸收及其转运的效果,旨在揭示植物根系吸收PAHs与磷素的相互作用。结果表明,在0~1 200μmol·L~(-1)磷浓度范围内,小麦根系、茎叶菲含量在低磷浓度(10μmol·L~(-1))时最高,分别为36.87 mg·kg~(-1)和2.07 mg·kg~(-1);磷含量总体呈现随磷处理浓度的升高而增大的趋势;成对数据t-检验显示无论加菲与否,根系、茎叶磷含量无显著性差异(P0.05)。磷可促进菲从根部向地上部转运,而菲对磷转运没有显著性影响。在低磷浓度下(10μmol·L~(-1)),随着菲浓度的升高,小麦根系、茎叶菲含量呈现显著升高趋势(P0.05)。磷、菲共存处理介质pH升高幅度大于单一处理。     

菌根真菌侵染对植物生物量累积的影响

为了从生态系统尺度探讨菌根资源与植物生物量累积的关系,调查了鼎湖山不同成熟度的三个森林群落主要优势树种的菌根侵染情况.综合分析各森林群落优势树种的个体数、生物量和菌根侵染率发现：1）菌根侵染率与径向生长速率相关,植物生长迅速的阶段菌根侵染率更高.中径级（胸径15-30 cm）的马尾松（Pinus massoniana）和锥（Castanopsis chinensis）的侵染率比小径级（胸径1-15 cm）个体的侵染率高,而大径级个体（胸径30 cm 以上）的侵染率略低于中径级个体的侵染率.木荷（Schima superba）则表现出侵染率随着胸径增大而增高的趋势.2）树种在群落内的侵染率越高,其对群落生物量的贡献率越大.如马尾松在马尾松林和混交林的侵染率分别为（77.30±18.02）%和（40.50±14.42）%,其对马尾松林群落生物量的贡献率达到87.43%,是对混交林生物量贡献率（17.51%）的5 倍.混交林和阔叶林的共有优势树种锥的侵染率和生物量贡献率也有存在相同规律.3）根系碳储量占群落总碳储量比例较高的群落其优势树种平均侵染率相对较高.马尾松林、混交林和季风常绿阔叶林中,根系碳储量占群落总碳储量的比例分别为55%、54%、42%,群落优势树种平均侵染率分别为（66.73±10.55）%、（46.97±27.28）%、（54.22±25.45）%,马尾松林的根系碳储量和平均侵染率均高于混交林和季风常绿阔叶林.以上结果表明,菌根真菌侵染对于植物个体生长速率以及群落水平的生物量累积具有-定的促进作用.     

Evaluation of potential toxic effects of occupational inhalation exposure to licorice root dust

Licorice, a plant indigenous to southern Europe, the Middle East, and northern China, exhibits several pharmacological properties, including estrogenic, anti-tumoral, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergenic, and anti-tussive activities. Prolonged use of licorice is known to produce headaches, hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias, edema, lethargy, dyspnea, sodium retention and loss of potassium in humans. However, to date, the potential adverse health effects due to occupational inhalation exposure of licorice root dust remains unknown. This study was, therefore, undertaken to address this issue. In this cross-sectional study, individuals (30 workers) occupationally exposed to licorice root dust at a licorice producing plant in Shiraz, Iran were recruited. Similarly, 30 healthy male unexposed employees at a telecommunications industry, with identical demographic and socioeconomic status, without any past or current exposure to licorice dust or habitual ingestion of this compound, served as the referent group. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were measured. Further, individuals underwent electrocardiography, clinical examination and blood chemistry tests. To assess the extent to which subjects were exposed to licorice root dust, atmospheric concentrations of this compound were also measured in the plant. There were no differences in age, weight, height and duration of exposure to licorice dust or length of employment between exposed and referent groups. Atmospheric measurement of licorice dust showed that concentration exceeded the permissible limit of 5 mg m^?3. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures of exposed subjects were significantly higher than those of the referent group. Similarly, blood analysis revealed that serum concentrations of potassium and platelet counts were significantly lower in exposed subjects than in referent individuals. Questionnaire data demonstrated that symptoms such as headaches, lethargy, and vertigo were more common in exposed subjects. No abnormal changes were noted in the electrocardiographs of exposed or referent subjects. Our findings provide evidence that inhalation exposure to high concentrations of licorice dust is associated with an increased prevalence of headache, lethargy, and vertigo, as well as hypertension and hypokalemia. None of these changes resulted in increased morbidity and mortality in exposed workers.