Characteristics of plankton Hg bioaccumulations based on a global data set and the implications for aquatic systems with aggravating nutrient imbalance

The bioaccumulation of mercury(Hg)in aquatic ecosystem poses a potential health risk to human being and aquatic organism.Bioaccumulations by plankton represent a crucial process of Hg transfer from water to aquatic food chain.However,the current understanding of major factors affecting Hg accumulation by plankton is inadequate.In this study,a data set of 89 aquatic ecosystems worldwide,including inland water,nearshore water and open sea,was established.Key factors influencing plankton Hg bioaccumulation(i.e.,plankton species,cell sizes and biomasses)were discussed.The results indicated that total Hg(THg)and methylmercury(MeHg)concentrations in plankton in inland waters were significantly higher than those in nearshore waters and open seas.Bioaccumulation factors for the logarithm of THg and MeHg of phytoplankton were 2.4–6.0 and 2.6–6.7 L/kg,respectively,in all aquatic ecosystems.They could be further biomagnified by a factor of 2.1–15.1 and 5.3–28.2 from phytoplankton to zooplankton.Higher MeHg concentrations were observed with the increases of cell size for both phyto-and zooplankton.A contrasting trend was observed between the plankton biomasses and BAF_(MeHg),with a positive relationship for zooplankton and a negative relationship for phytoplankton.Plankton physiologic traits impose constraints on the rates of nutrients and contaminants obtaining process from water.Nowadays,many aquatic ecosystems are facing rapid shifts in nutrient compositions.We suggested that these potential influences on the growth and composition of plankton should be incorporated in future aquatic Hg modeling and ecological risk assessments.

Occurrence of microcystins in water,sediment,and aquatic animals in Dau Tieng Reservoir,Vietnam

This study investigates the variations of microcystins(MCs)in water,cyanobacterial blooms,sediment,and aquatic organisms collected from the Dau Tieng Reservoir(DTR).Vietnam.Highperformance liquid chromatography(HPLC)was employed to measure MC concentrations in various target samples.Results indicate that Microcystis spp.dominates as the primary MC producer in the DTR.The average concentrations of analyzed MCs in surface water ranged from 1.10 to 5.54μg/L,temporally and spatially.In sediment,average concentrations varied from 0.15 to 1.13μg/g wet weight(WW)temporally and from 0.41 to 0.72μg/g WW spatially.MCs were detected in different organs of fish species(Oreochromis sp.and Labiobarbus sp.)and in the entire soft tissues of bivalve(Corbicula sp.)and gastropod(Assiminea sp.).The highest observed MC concentration in July was 0.83±0.22μg/g WW in the intestines of fish Oreochromis sp.The presence of MCs in grass shrimp Palaemonetes sp.was observed solely in June,reaching a concentration of 0.28±0.19μg/g WW.This is the first report of MC accumulation in the grass shrimp Palaemonetes sp.during field collection.For the bivalve Corbicula sp.,the presence of analyzed MCs was consistent throughout the study period,except for March and September,with the highest concentrations in July at 0.77±0.1μg/g WW.Pearson correlation analysis revealed significant positive correlations between MCs in water and sediment with MC concentrations in aquatic animals,indicating the potential transfer of MCs across different trophic levels.The estimated daily intake values for analyzed MCs indicate that fish collected from the DTR are considered safe for consumption,as long as only the edible organs,such as the muscle,are consumed.However,bivalves or gastropods collected from the DTR are not safe for human consumption.This study underscored the importance of monitoring MC accumulation in aquatic animals used as food to mitigate adverse effects on human health.

Bioaccumulation,subcellular distribution and chemical forms of cadmium in Aster subulatus Michx.

【Objective】Through analyzing the bioaccumulation capacity,subcellular distribution and chemical forms of cadmium(Cd)in Aster subulatus Michx.,this study was to provide reference for revealing the Cd tolerance mechanism of A.subulatus Michx.【Method】After cultured for 24 d under the action of Hoagland nutrient solution and gradient Cd concentrations(0,30,60 and 90 mg/L),A.subulatus Michx.were harvested,and its leaf,stem and root were treated by differential centrifugation,chemical reagent extraction,and digested with graphite digester,respectively,then the Cd content in the root,stem and leaf were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy.【Result】The experimental results indicated that the bioaccumulation capacity of Cd in A.subulatus Michx.was root>stem>leaf,and the maximum Cd concentration in the root,stem and leaf of A.subulatus Michx.were 130.74,78.69 and 56.62 mg/kg(fresh matter),respectively.Most of Cd stored in the cell wall and the soluble fractions of the root and leaf of A.subulatus Michx.,with only a smaller portion Cd in organelle fraction.Analysis result of subcellular Cd content showed that 52.27%-58.61%of Cd for root was mainly stored in the soluble fraction,but 42.10%-63.28%of Cd for leaf was mainly stored in the cell wall fraction.The concentration of pectates and protein integrated-Cd was higher in the root and leaf compared to other chemical forms Cd.Pectates and protein integrated-Cd was the main chemical forms Cd in the root and leaf of A.subulatus Michx.,and their percentages were 68.91%-74.80%and 57.38%-83.80%,respectively.Cd treatment could significantly increase the proportion of water-soluble organic acid Cd from 13.64%to 22.72%in root and undissolved phosphate Cd from 10.02%to 32.78%in leaf with increasing Cd concentration in the culture medium.【Conclusion】The root,stem and leaf of A.subulatus Michx.has strong bioaccumulation capacity to Cd,Cd is primarily stored in the soluble fractions of the root and cell wall fractions of the leaf,and less toxic pectates and protein integrated-Cd is the main chemical forms Cd in the root and leaf of A.subulatus Michx.,this might be the main mechanism of Cd tolerance in A.subulatus Michx.

Growth of the Earthworm Millsonia omodeoi and Its Capacity to Accumulate Five Heavy Metals (HM) in Soils along a Toll Highway in Côte d’Ivoire

The roads in correlation with the traffic linked to their existences are at the origin of the emission of numerous polluting substances likely to induce disturbances of the growth and the behavioral changes in the organisms living in their vicinities. The purpose of this study is to analyze the growth and capacity accumulation of a common earthworm species (Millsonia omodeoi) in Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb and Zn in soils along a main road called “Autoroute du Nord” in C?te d’Ivoire. Thus, the earthworms were harvested in soils from a distance of 0 m (just after the sidewalk) to a distance of 200 m from the toll highway and in a control soil sampled in Lamto reserve (C?te d’Ivoire). The study was carried out in the soil laboratory at the ecological station of Lamto reserve. The Ford-Walford technique was used to determine the model and parameters most appropriated for describing the growth of earthworms. A pairwise comparison of the growth parameters was carried out using the Kruskal-Wallis test with the STATISTICA 7.1 software. The heavy metals contained in the cultivated soils and earthworms were detected and quantified using a Scanning Electron Micro-scope (MEB FEG Supra 40 VP Zeiss) and an Atomic Absorption Spectrometer SPECTRA 110 (VARIAN). The capacity accumulation of heavy metals in earthworm was determined by the bioaccumulation factor (BAF) calculation. The results of this study showed that Gompertz is the most appropriated model to describe the growth of M. omodeoi. The life cycle of M. omodeoi shows that this earthworm adopts a K type demographic strategy. Cu is the most accumulated heavy metals in M. omodeoi, when Cr is the least accumulated. Concerning heavy metal content in the earthworms, it decreases while moving away from the pavement. These results highlight a possibility of choice of M. omodeoi as 1) indicators of heavy metals pollution and 2) target of biological organisms for environmental impact studies.

Bioaccumulation of Nickel by Various Scenedesmus Species in Culture Solution Containing Nickel

Sixteen Scenedesmus species or strains have been employed to investigate the maximum capacity of nickel (Ni) accumulation in 10 mg/L Ni solution. The results showed that the capacity of accumulating Ni from aqueous solution in 16 Scenedesmus species or strains showed the diversity. S. quadricauda freshwater algae culture collection of the Institute of Hydrobiology (FACHB) 44 and S. quadricauda FACHB 506 performed much more capacity of Ni accumulation than other species such as Scenedesmus sp. FACHB 416 and Scenedesmus sp. FACHB 489. Sequestration of Ni ions from aqueous solution was very efficient (26.7 mg Ni/g dry weight, in the 100 mg/L Ni solution) in S. quadricauda FACHB 44. The kinetics of Ni binding indicated that Ni bioaccumulation, in algal cell of S. quadricauda FACHB 44, possessed a rapid biosorption (5 min) and an slow bioaccumulation (2-3 h). More than 70% of Ni binding in algal cell were accumulated by biosorption and the remaining 20%-30% were bioaccumulated by energy_consumed transportation. It is much more higher ratio of energy_consumed transportation in S. quadricauda FACHB 44 than in other algae. Both the transmission electron microscope (TEM) and the energy_dispersive X_ray (EDX) microanalyses also revealed the different mechanisms of bioaccumulation in the various subcellular regions: a very fast adsorption in the cell wall; and a time_dependent absorption in protoplasm, specially in starch and chromatin.

Toxicity and bioaccumulation of heavy metals in Phanerochaete chrysosporium

The responses of the growth and metabolism activity of Phanerochaete chrysosporium （P. chrysosporium） to cadmium （Cd）, lead （Pb） and their combined pollution stress, were investigated in plate and liquid culture conditions. The diameter of colony, biomass ofP. chrysosporium, ligninolytic enzyme activities and bioaccumulation quantity of heavy metals were detected. The results indicated that Cd was more toxic than Pb to P. chrysosporium and the toxicity of Cd and Pb to P. chrysosporium was further strengthened under Cd＋Pb combined pollution in different culture conditions. Heavy metals Cd and Pb had indirect influence on the production of ligninolytic enzymes by directly affecting the fungal growth and metabolic activity, and by another way in liquid culture. In addition, the results provided an evidence of the accumulation of Cd and Pb on the mycelia ofP. chrysosporium.

Laboratory culture of the freshwater benthic gastropod Bellamya aeruginosa (Reeve) and its utility as a test species for sediment toxicity

This study aimed to develop original laboratory culture and sediment toxicity testing protocols for the freshwater gastropod Bellamya aeruginosa （Reeve）, a new potential species for sediment toxicity testing. B. aeruginosa was successfully cultured with an effective culture system under proposed laboratory conditions. Optimal ad libitum feeding levels for larvae, juveniles, and adults were 2.0, 6.0, and 16.0 mg fish food/（snall.day）, respectively. Mean survival rates of juveniles were higher than 90%, The snails could be sexed at 9 weeks of age, and their generation time is approximately 4 months. Reproduction continued all year around; the mean fecundity was 0.55 newborn/（female.day）. The utility of this species for bioassays was evaluated in both 10-day and 28-day case studies with artificial sediments. The 10-day LC50 of Cu for larvae was 480 μg/g dry weight （dw）, and the lowest observed effects concentration of Cu for survival and growth of larvae was 195 μg/g dw. Survival and growth are reliable indicators of acute toxicity. Larvae accumulated more Cu than adults. B. aeruginosa exhibited a higher sensitivity to Cu exposure than standard test species （Hyalella azteca and Chironomus tentans）. The 28-day test of sediment toxicity with adults showed that fecundity was a robust endpoint indicator of reproductive toxicity, and the biochemical endpoints of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione could be used as sensitive biomarkers for Cu-induced oxidative damage. B. aeruginosa can be therefore recommended as a candidate for the standardization of the freshwater sediment toxicity test protocol.

Assessment of Pb uptake,translocation and immobilization in kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) for phytoremediation of sand tailings

The potential of kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) for phytoremediation of lead (Pb) on sand tailings was investigated.A pot experiment employing factorial design with two main effects of fertilizer and lead was conducted in a nursery using sand tailings from an ex-tin mine as the growing medium.Results showed that Pb was found in the root,stem,and seed capsule of kenaf but not in the leaf.Application of organic fertilizer promoted greater biomass yield as well as higher accumulation capacity of Pb.In Pb-spike...

Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in fishes from Taihu Lake,China

The Cr, Zn, Cu, Cd, Pb contents were determined in Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus, Carassius auratus Linnaeus, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix and Aristichthys nobilis, which were caught from Meiliang Bay, Taihu Lake, a large, shallow and eutrophic lake of China. The results showed that： （1） the Cr, Cu, Pb, Cd contents in the edible parts of the four fish species were much lower than Chinese Food Health Criterion （1994）, but the Zn contents were higher than the Criterion; （2） Cd contents were the highest in the liver of fish, Pb contents were almost the same in all organs of fish, Cr contents mainly enriched in the skin and gonads, Zn contents were the highest in the gonad （♀）, and Cu contents were the highest in the liver; （3） the total metal accumulation was the greatest in the liver and the lowest in the muscle. The total metal accumulation was the highest in C. auratus L. This investigation indicated that fish products in Taihu Lake were still safe for human consumption, but the amount consumed should be controlled under the Chinese Food Health Criterion to avoid excessive intake of Zn.

Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metal in Wild Growing Mushrooms from Liangshan Yi Nationality Autonomous Prefecture,China

The heavy metal bioaccumulation levels of 13 species of mushrooms were studied. 13 different species of wild mushrooms growing in China were analyzed for Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, and As. Contents of Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb in mushroom and Cu, Zn in Soil were tested by atomic absorption spectrometer （AAS）, and As in samples by atomic fluorescent light （AFL）. Contents of Cd and Pb in soil were analyzed by graphite furnace AAS. The results showed that contents of Cu, Pb, Cd, and As in Termitomyces microcarpus were the highest in the tested mushroom samples, which were 135.00, 13.28, 65.30, and 1.60 mg·kg^-1 （dry biomass） respectively, and the corresponding bioconcentration factor （BCF） for Cu and Cd was 57 and 1 674 separately, which was the highest data in 13 mushroom species. The capability ofBoletus griseus for Cd accumulation was very strong with BCF of 300. when people consume the wild edible mushrooms, contents of Cd and Pb should be greatly considered.

Tissue-specific bioaccumulation and oxidative stress responses in juvenile Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) exposed to mercury

To understand mercury （Hg） toxicity in marine fish, we measured Hg accumulation in juvenile Japanese flounder （Paralichthys olivaceus） and assessed the effects on growth and antioxidant responses. After Hg exposure （control, 5, 40, and 160 gg/L Hg） for 28 d, fish growth was significantly reduced. The accumulation of Hg in fish was dose-dependent and tissue-specific, with the maximum accumulation in kidney and liver, followed by gills, hone, and muscle. Different antioxidants responded differently to Hg exposure to cope with the induction of lipid peroxidation （LPO）, which was also tissue-specific and dose- dependent. As Hg concentration increased, superoxide dismutase （SOD） and catalase （CAT） activities increased significantly, whereas glutathione S-transferase （GST） activity and glutathione （GSH） levels decreased significantly in the gills. SOD and glutathione peroxidase （GPx） activities and the GSH level increased significantly in the liver. SOD activity and GSH levels increased significantly, but CAT activity decreased significantly with an increase in Hg concentration in the kidney. LPO was induced significantly by elevated Hg in the gills and kidney but was least affected in the liver. Therefore, oxidative stress biomarkers in gills were more sensitive than those in the liver and kidney to Hg exposure. Thus, the gills have potential as bioindicators for evaluating Hg toxicity in juvenile flounder.

Three tropical seagrasses as potential bio-indicators to trace metals in Xincun Bay,Hainan Island,South China

Concentrations of the trace metals Cu, Cd, Pb, and Zn were measured in seawater, rhizosphere sediments, interstitial water, and the tissues of three tropical species of seagrasses （Thalassia hemprichii, Enhalus acoroides and Cymodocea rotundata） from Xincun Bay of Hainan Island, South China. We analyzed different environmental compartments and the highest concentrations of Pb and Zn were found in the interstitial and seawater. The concentrations of Cd and Zn were significantly higher in blades compared with roots or rhizomes in 7＂. hemprichii and E. acoroides, respectively. A metal pollution index （MPI） demonstrated that sediment, interstitial water, and seagrasses in the sites located nearest anthropogenic sources of pollution had the most abundant metal concentrations. There was obvious seasonal variation of these metals in the three seagrasses with higher concentrations of Cu, Pb and Zn in January and Cd in July. Furthermore, the relationships between metal concentrations in seagrasses and environmental compartments were positively correlated significantly. The bioconcentration factors （BCF） demonstrated that Cd from the tissues of the three seagrasses might be absorbed from the sediment by the roots. However, for C. rotundata, Zn is likely to be derived from the seawater through its blades. Therefore, the blades of T. hemprichii, E. acoroides and C. rotundata are potential bio-indicators to Cd content in sediment, and additionally Zn content （C. rotundata only） in seawater.

Bioaccumulation and Biodegradation of Sulfamethazine in Chlorella pyrenoidosa

Intensive use of sulfamethazine(SM_2) in aquaculture has resulted in some detrimental effects to non-targeted organisms. In order to assess its potential ecological risk, it is crucial to have a good understanding on the bioaccumulation and biodegradation of SM_2 in Chlorella pyrenoidosa. The microalgae were treated with 2, 4, and 8 mg L^(-1) of sulfamethazine for 13 days, respectively, showing that the inhibition effects of sulfamethazine on the growth of Chlorella pyrenoidosa increased progressively as the concentrations of sulfamethazine increasing from 2 to 8 mg L^(-1). The peak concentrations of sulfamethazine accumulated in C. pyrenoidosa were 0.225, 0.325, and 0.596 ng per mg FW on day 13 for three treatment groups, respectively, showing a great ability to deplete sulfamethazine from the culture media. On day 13, the percentages of biotic degradation were 48.45%, 60.21% and 69.93%, respectively. The EC_(50) of 10.05 mg L^(-1) was derived which showed no significant risk for C. pyrenoidosa with a calculated risk quotient < 1. The activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase increased progressively in response to sulfamethazine and showed a positive correlation to the treatment concentrations. The highest superoxide dismutase activity was achieved at the concentration of 8 mg L^(-1) after 2 d of exposure, which was 1.89 folds higher than that of the control. The activity of catalase has a similar pattern to that of superoxide dismutase with the maximum activity achieved at day 2, which was 3.11 folds higher compared to that of the control. In contrast to superoxide dismutase and catalase, the maximum glutathione S-transferase activity was observed at day 6, showing 2.2 folds higher than that of the control.

Cadmium bioaccumulation in three benthic fish species, Salaria basilisca, Zosterisessor ophiocephalus and Solea vulgaris collected from the Gulf of Gabes in Tunisia

To select a marine teleost fish which can be used as a bioindicator of cadmium （Cd） pollution in the Gulf of Gabes in Tunisia, Cd concentrations in liver and gill were compared in three benthic fish species including Salaria basilisca, Zosterisessor ophiocephalus and Solea vulgaris. Fish samples were collected from three selected sites in the Gulf of Gabes, with different degrees of Cd contamination： the industrialized coast of Sfax （S 1）, the coast of Douar Chatt （S2） and the coast of Luza （S3）. The results shows that Cd concentrations in both sediment and water collected from S1 were significantly higher （t9 〈 0.0001） than those from S2 and S3. For each species, Cd concentrations, in both liver and gill, showed the decreasing order： S 1 〉 S2 〉 S3. The highest concentration of Cd was detected in the liver of S. basilisca, and only S. basilisca showed bioaccumulation factors （BAF） greater than 1 in all studied sites. In S 1 and S2, BAF values respect the following order： S. basilisca 〉 Z. ophiocephalus 〉 S. vulgaris. These results of significant bioaccumulation of Cd, in terms of hepatic concentrations and bioaccumulation factors, indicated that S. basilisca can be used as bioindicator to evaluate the evolution of Cd pollution in the Gulf of Gabes.

Bioaccumulation and depuration of chromium in the selected organs and whole body tissues of freshwater fish Cirrhinus mrigala individually and in binary solutions with nickel

Contamination of aquatic ecosystems with heavy metals has been receiving increased worldwide attention due to their harmful effects on human health and other organisms in the environment. Most of the studies dealing with toxic effects of metals deal with single metal species, while the aquatic organisms are typically exposed to mixtures of metals. Hence, in order to provide data supporting the usefulness of freshwater fish as indicators of heavy metal pollution, it has been proposed in the present study to investigate the bioaccumulation and depuration of chromium in the selected organs of freshwater fingerlings Cirrhinus mrigala, individually and in binary solutions with nickel. The results show that the kidney is a target organ for chromium accumulation, which implies that it is also the ＂critical＂ organ for toxic symptoms. The results further show that accumulation of nickel in all the tissues of C. mrigala is higher than that of chromium. In addition, the metal accumulations of the binary mixtures of chromium and nickel are substantially higher than those of the individual metals, indicating synergistic interactions between the two metals. Theoretically the simplest explanation for an additive joint action of toxicants in a mixture is that they act in a qualitatively similar way. The observed data suggest that C. mrigala could be suitable monitoring organisms to study the bioavailability of water-bound metals in freshwater habitats.

Heavy Metal Bioaccumulation and Toxicity with Special Reference to Microalgae

The bioaccumulation and toxicity of heavy metals were reviewed with special reference to microalgae, the key compo- nent of the food web in aquatic ecosystems. Heavy metals enter algal cells either by means of active transport or by endocytosis through chelating proteins and affect various physiological and biochemical processes of the algae. The toxicity primarily results from their binding to the sulphydryl groups in proteins or disrupting protein structure or displacing essential elements. Metals can break the oxidative balance of the algae, inducing antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX). The amount of oxidized proteins and lipids in the algal cells thus indicates the severity of the stress. Algal tolerance to heavy metal is highly dependent upon the defense response against the probable oxidative damages. Pro- duction of binding factors and proteins, exclusion of metals from cells by ion-selective transporters and excretion or compartmen- talization have been suggested with regard to reducing heavy metal toxicity. However, a comprehensive description on the mecha- nisms underlining metal toxicity of microalgae and gaining tolerance is yet to be elaborated.

Comparative Studies on Uptake Pathway of Cadmium by Perna viridis

Experiments were designed to expose the filter-feeding bivalve Perna viridis to different Cd-contaminated water environments in order to compare the different pathways through which Cd is accumulated. Results show that mussels can accumulate Cd through seawater, food, sediment and suspended particle pathways in a short period of time. Mussels＇ uptake of Cd through the seawater pathway reaches the highest concentration approximately 3 and 9 times larger than through the algae and sediment pathways respectively after 7 d. This indicates that the Cd-accumulation through seawater is most efficient. Results also indicate that the uptake directly through contaminated algae, particles or sediments ingested by mussels is less important when compared with the uptake of Cd by mussels through the seawater pathway. Metal uptake pathways and mechanisms of bioaccumulation by marine bivalve are also discussed in this paper.

Biological Intelligence of Rare Earth Elements in Animal Cells

Recent progress in bioinorganic chemistry studies of rare earth elements (REE) in animal cells was outlined, and the definition of REE′s biological intelligence as well as their mechanism were also explained. The migration of REE from weathering rocks to the environment is accelerated by various anthropogenic activities, which can eventually result in the entrance of REE into animal and human bodies via food chain. REE can be found in body tissues such as brain, blood, muscle as well as bone. Based on their geochemical properties, REE in low dose show their unique biological intelligence by intervening in the process of signal transduction and its regulation, arteriosclerosis and blood clotting prevention, anticancer, and the promotion of cellular defense enzymes′ activities, nucleic acid metabolism enzymes as well as ATPases, etc. The meaning of REE′s biological intelligence refers to physicochemical properties-based capability to choose the targets (e.g., biometals) in biomolecules for the chelation or replacement of REE, and change the structures and functions of biomolecules, and consequently impact or control the biological functions or behaviors in living organisms. The regulation of various cellular processes caused by REE is mainly via antagonism or replacement of essential target biometals like calcium or via chelation of organic molecules, thereby embodying the unparalleled biological intelligence of REE. Additionally, the dosage effect of REE was also discussed from the angles of yin-yang dichotomy, bioavailability, entropy and evolution. In order to make full use of REE′s biological intelligence in the application for medicine, more detailed studies concerning dosage effect of REE and REE bioaccumulation in organisms should be conducted in future research.

Joint enhancement of lead accumulation in Brassica plants by EDTA and ammonium sulfate in sand culture

When EDTA was added alone in the Pb\|contaminated sand, the plant biomass and the total Pb amount in plant decreased in both species, Brassica pekinensis and B. juncea var. multiceps, though the shoot Pb amount increased. In contrast, when (NH 4) 2SO 4 was added alone in the Pb\|contaminated sand, little effect was observed on the shoot Pb amount, though the root Pb amount was significantly increased in B. juncea var. multiceps. When amending EDTA and (NH 4) 2SO 4 in combination, however, the shoot Pb amount in both species substantially increased, being, on an average, 2 times and 9 times higher than that in EDTA alone or (NH 4) 2SO 4 alone amended treatment, respectively. The two amendments showed antagonism for plant growth, but synergism for Pb bioaccumulation. B. pekinensis showed its highest level of shoot and total Pb amount in the treatment amended with EDTA and (NH 4) 2SO 4 only a half as much as in the other treatments. It is inferred that the mechanisms responsible for the joint\|enhanced Pb accumulation might be concerned with the acidification of the growth medium, cation exchange reaction and relieving EDTA induced toxicity as results by amending ammonium sulfate.

Bioaccumulation of Lanthanum and Its Effect on Growth of Maize Seedlings in a Red Loamy Soil

Through a pot culture lanthanum nitrate was applied to maize seedlings grown in a red loamy soil to investigate the physiological and toxic effects of added La on the growth of crop seedlings and La bioaccumulation to help understand the environmental chemistry behaviors of rare earth element as fertilizers in soils. Compared to the control, La concentrations in shoots and especially in roots of maize seedlings increased with an increase of La in the soil. Also, with added concentrations of La≥0.75 g La kg-1 soil and≥0.05 g La kg-1 soil, the dry weight of shoots and roots of maize seedlings was significantly reduced (P≤0.05), respectively, compared with the control. Additionally, La≥0.5 g kg-1 in the soil significantly inhibited (P≤0.05) primary root elongation. Roots were more sensitive to La stress than shoots and thus could be used as a biomarker to La stress. Overall, in the red loamy soil studied, La had no significant beneficial effects on the growth of maize at the added La levels above 0.1 g kg-1 soil.