Influence of Seed Source and Soil Contamination on Ecophysiological Responses of Lavandula pedunculata in Rehabilitation of Mining Areas

Mining activities have turned many areas of the Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB) into extreme environments with high concentrations of metal(loid)s. These harsh conditions can inhibit or reduce the colonization and/or development of most vegetation. However, some species or populations have developed ecophysiological responses to tolerate stress factors and contaminated soils. The main objectives of this study are: (i) to assess the differences in germination, growth, development and physiological behaviour against oxidative stress caused by metal(loid)s in Lavandula pedunculata (Mill.) Cav. from two different origins (a contaminated area in São Domingos mine, SE of Portugal and an uncontaminated area from Serra do Caldeirão, S of Portugal) under controlled conditions; and (ii) to assess whether it is possible to use this species for the rehabilitation of mine areas of the IPB. After germination, seedlings from São Domingos (LC) and Caldeirão (L) were planted in pots with a contaminated soil developed on gossan (CS) and in pots with an uncontaminated soil (US) under controlled conditions. Multielemental concentrations were determined in soils (total and available fractions) and plants (shoots and roots). Germination rate, shoot height, dry biomass and leaf area were determined, and pigments, glutathione, ascorbate and H2O2 contents were measured in plant shoots. Total concentrations of As, Cr, Cu, Pb and Sb in CS, and As in US exceed the intervention and maximum limits for ecosystem protection and human health. The main results showed that L. pedunculata, regardless of the seed origin, activated defence mechanisms against oxidative stress caused by high concentrations of metal(loid)s. Plants grown from seeds of both origins increased the production of AsA to preserve its reduction levels and kept the contents of GSH stable to maintain the cell’s redox state. Plants grown from seeds collected in non-contaminated areas showed a high capacity for adaptation to extreme conditions. This species showed a greater growth capacity when seeds from a contaminated area were sown in uncontaminated soils. Thus, L. pedunculata, mainly grown from seeds from contaminated areas, may be used in phytostabilization programmes in areas with soils with high contents of metal(loid)s.

Download Full-text

May the origin of Cistus monspeliensis seeds determine its behaviour as a phytoremediator species for mine soils?

10.5194/egusphere-egu21-9609 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Daniel Arenas Lago ◽

Luisa C Carvalho ◽

Erika S Santos ◽

Maria Manuela Abreu

Keyword(s):

Contaminated Soils ◽

Underground Mining ◽

Germination Rate ◽

Organic Matter Content ◽

Ore Deposits ◽

Soil Conditions ◽

Mine Soil ◽

Shoot Height ◽

The World ◽

Total Concentrations

Metal mining is one of the activities that causes the greatest problems of environmental pollution around the world. The main consequences derived from this activity are the degradation of soils, and alteration/destruction of vegetation, hydrology, fauna, microclimate, topography and landscape quality. In South-East of the Iberian Peninsula is located the Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB), one of the most important volcanogenic massive sulfide ore deposits in the world. The opencast and underground mining activities in this area generated large amounts of waste materials with high total concentrations of metal(loid)s. These materials also present other chemical and physical characteristics adverse to plant development such as low pH, water holding capacity, available nutrients and organic matter content, and unfavourable texture. However, some species have developed mechanisms of response to these stress conditions and have colonised spontaneously some contaminated soils/wastes in these areas from the IPB. In this study, we have investigated physiological behaviour of Cistus monspeliensis, a shrub adapted to Mediterranean conditions that grows in several contaminated and non-contaminated areas from the IPB, with the aim whether what are the key drivers for the unravelling of different physiological responses: the origin of the plants or the conditions of the growth medium. For this, seeds of C. monspeliensis were sampled in S&#227;o Domingos mine (CmSD) and in an uncontaminated area from Caldeir&#227;o (CmCald) (SE of Portugal). Seeds were germinated in Petri dishes and subsequently the seedlings from both areas were planted in a contaminated soil developed on a gossan (CS) and in an uncontaminated soil (US) under controlled conditions in a greenhouse. Multielemental concentrations were determined in soils (total and available fractions) and plants (shoots). Germination rate, shoot height and dry biomass were measured, as well as pigments, glutathione, ascorbate and H2O2 contents were analysed in plant shoots. Total concentrations of As, Cr, Cu, Pb and Sb in CS exceed the intervention and maximum limits for ecosystem protection and human health. Preliminary results showed that there were not significant differences in the germination rate among assays (CmSD&#8211;CS, CmSD&#8211;US, CmCald&#8211;CS, CmCald&#8211;US). After two months growing, C. monspeliensis from both origins showed slightly higher height and biomass in US than CS. The leaf size did not show significant differences among the different assays. The CmCald plants were adapted to the mine soil conditions without showing toxicity symptoms and with a development similar to CmSD plants. In general, no significant differences were found for pigments among plant-soil assays, while H2O2 content slightly increased in individuals planted in CS soil independently of seeds origin. In addition, the increase of oxidative stress in C. monspeliensis in CS caused the activation of ascorbate and glutathione production to maintain the cell&#8217;s redox state. Therefore, our study shows that C. monspeliensis, regardless of its origin, has the ability to tolerate contaminated environments with high total content of metal(oid)s. This statement is a very important point for mine soil recovery plans.This research was supported by ED481D 2019/007 project (Xunta de Galicia) supporting Arenas-Lago D. through his postdoc contract.

Download Full-text

Use of hydroxyapatite to reduce Cd pollution in agriculture soils for Chenopodium quinoa cultivation

10.5194/egusphere-egu21-10595 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Daniel Arenas Lago ◽

Ruben Forján Castro ◽

Erika S Santos ◽

Diego Arán ◽

Manuel Arias Estévez

Keyword(s):

Contaminated Soils ◽

Germination Rate ◽

Chenopodium Quinoa ◽

Climatic Conditions ◽

Chemical Extraction ◽

Physiological Status ◽

Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles ◽

High Concentration ◽

Shoot Height ◽

Sequential Chemical Extraction

Cadmium is a metal distributed in low concentrations in the environment without biological function, but it can be toxic at high concentration for plants, animals, and/or humans. This element is one of the major soil pollutant, with high mobility and availability under the conditions of many agricultural soils. The use of nanoremediation techniques can be an effective solution for the in situ recovery of contaminated soils with Cd, although the existing information about the consequences of using nanoparticles in soils is still very scarce. In this context. Hydroxyapatite nanoparticles can be an effective amendment for remediation of soils. Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Will) is a seed-producing crop that has been cultivated in the Andes for several thousand years but with a good adaptation to different climatic conditions. Currently, quinoa is an emerging multipurpose crop in other parts of the world, due to its high nutritional potential for both human food and animal feedstock and a good alternative to cereals, leading to significant demand and, consequently, cultivation. In this study, we investigated the capacity of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles for recovering artificially contaminated soils with Cd where grown quinoa. For this, seeds of C. quinoa were sown in two different soil (Arenosol and Anthrosol) artificially contaminated with Cd2+ (0; 5, 25 and 50 mg kg-1) and amended or not with 1% (w/w) of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles. The pot assay was carried out under controlled conditions and in a greenhouse for three months. Initial soils were characterized physicochemically and at the end of the assay multielemental concentrations were determined in soil (total and available fraction and plants (shoots). Germination rate, shoot height and dry biomass were measured, as well as pigments, glutathione, ascorbate and H2O2 contents were analysed in plant shoots in order to evaluate plant development and their physiological status. In parallel, a sequential chemical extraction was carried out to determine the Cd distribution in the different geochemical soil phases. Preliminary results indicated that hydroxyapatite nanoparticles have a high capacity to retain Cd. These nanoparticles seem to favour C. quinoa growth even with the highest concentration of Cd added. Therefore, this study will serve as a basis for further scientific research on the potential use of hydroxyapatite in agriculture soils with different characteristics and Cd problems for secure C. quinoa cultivation.AcknowledgementsThis research and postdoc contract from Arenas-Lago D. was supported by the project ED481D 2019/007 (Xunta de Galicia), and Portuguese funds through Funda&#231;&#227;o para a Ci&#234;ncia e Tecnologia within the scope of the project UID/AGR/04129/2020 (LEAF).

Download Full-text

Electroanalytical Techniques for the Detection of Selenium as a Biologically and Environmentally Significant Analyte—A Short Review

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules26061768 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 (6) ◽

pp. 1768

Author(s):

Miroslav Rievaj ◽

Eva Culková ◽

Damiána Šandorová ◽

Zuzana Lukáčová-Chomisteková ◽

Renata Bellová ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Essential Element ◽

Analytical Techniques ◽

High Sensitivity ◽

Stripping Voltammetry ◽

Short Review ◽

Electroanalytical Methods ◽

High Concentrations ◽

Speed Of Analysis

This short review deals with the properties and significance of the determination of selenium, which is in trace amounts an essential element for animals and humans, but toxic at high concentrations. It may cause oxidative stress in cells, which leads to the chronic disease called selenosis. Several analytical techniques have been developed for its detection, but electroanalytical methods are advantageous due to simple sample preparation, speed of analysis and high sensitivity of measurements, especially in the case of stripping voltammetry very low detection limits even in picomoles per liter can be reached. A variety of working electrodes based on mercury, carbon, silver, platinum and gold materials were applied to the analysis of selenium in various samples. Only selenium in oxidation state + IV is electroactive therefore the most of voltammetric determinations are devoted to it. However, it is possible to detect also other forms of selenium by indirect electrochemistry approach.

Download Full-text

The Sustainable Production of a Novel Laccase from Wheat Bran by Bordetella sp. JWO16: Toward a Total Environment

Catalysts ◽

10.3390/catal11060677 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 677

Author(s):

John Onolame Unuofin

Keyword(s):

Wheat Bran ◽

Contaminated Soils ◽

Residual Activity ◽

Dye Decolorization ◽

Fermentation Medium ◽

Biochemical Properties ◽

Synthetic Dyes ◽

High Concentrations ◽

Capital Intensive ◽

Agroindustrial Residue

Laccase is increasingly adopted in diverse industrial and environmental applications, due to its readily accessible requirements for efficient catalytic synthesis and biotransformation of chemicals. However, it is perceived that its industrial production might incur some unfavorable overhead, which leads to expensive market products, and the corresponding negative environmental feedback, due to the use of capital-intensive and precarious chemicals. To this end, this study was designed to evaluate the performance indicators of the valorization of wheat bran by a novel Jb1b laccase and its subsequent application in waste minimization and water management, on a laboratory scale. Optimal Jb1b laccase was produced in submerged fermentation medium containing wheat bran, an agroindustrial residue, through response surface methodology (RSM) algorithm, and was applied in dye decolorization and denim bioscouring, respectively. Results showed that the resultant enzyme manifested unique biochemical properties, such as enhanced tolerance at certain physicochemical conditions, with a residual activity of at least ca. 76%. Furthermore, phenomenally high concentrations of synthetic dyes (0.2% w v−1) were decolorized over 56 h, and a 6 h mediator-supported simultaneous denim bleaching and decolorization of wash effluent was observed. The sustainability of the production and application processes were inferred from the reusability of the fermentation sludge as a potential biofertilizer, with subsequent prospects for the biostimulation and bioaugmentation of contaminated soils, whereas the decolorized water could be adopted for other uses, amongst which horticulture and forestry are typical examples. These phenomena therefore authenticate the favorable environmental feedbacks and overhead realized in this present study.

Download Full-text

Halotolerant Microbial Consortia for Sustainable Mitigation of Salinity Stress, Growth Promotion, and Mineral Uptake in Tomato Plants and Soil Nutrient Enrichment

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13158369 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (15) ◽

pp. 8369

Author(s):

Chintan Kapadia ◽

R. Z. Sayyed ◽

Hesham Ali El Enshasy ◽

Harihar Vaidya ◽

Deepshika Sharma ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Salt Stress ◽

Salinity Stress ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Stress Factors ◽

Microbial Consortia ◽

Soil Conditions ◽

Mineral Uptake ◽

Shoot Height ◽

Tomato Plants ◽

Secondary Roots

Salinity significantly impacts the growth, development, and reproductive biology of various crops such as vegetables. The cultivable area is reduced due to the accumulation of salts and chemicals currently in use and is not amenable to a large extent to avoid such abiotic stress factors. The addition of microbes enriches the soil without any adverse effects. The effects of microbial consortia comprising Bacillus sp., Delftia sp., Enterobacter sp., Achromobacter sp., was evaluated on the growth and mineral uptake in tomatoes (Solanum Lycopersicum L.) under salt stress and normal soil conditions. Salinity treatments comprising Ec 0, 2, 5, and 8 dS/m were established by mixing soil with seawater until the desired Ec was achieved. The seedlings were transplanted in the pots of the respective pH and were inoculated with microbial consortia. After sufficient growth, these seedlings were transplanted in soil seedling trays. The measurement of soil minerals such as Na, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Mn, and pH and the Ec were evaluated and compared with the control 0 days, 15 days, and 35 days after inoculation. The results were found to be non-significant for the soil parameters. In the uninoculated seedlings’ (control) seedling trays, salt treatment significantly affected leaf, shoot, root dry weight, shoot height, number of secondary roots, chlorophyll, and mineral contents. While bacterized seedlings sown under saline soil significantly increased leaf (105.17%), shoot (105.62%), root (109.06%) dry weight, leaf number (75.68%), shoot length (92.95%), root length (146.14%), secondary roots (91.23%), and chlorophyll content (−61.49%) as compared to the control (without consortia). The Na and K intake were higher even in the presence of the microbes, but the beneficial effect of the microbe helps plants sustain in the saline environment. The inoculation of microbial consortia produced more secondary roots, which accumulate more minerals and transport substances to the different parts of the plant; thus, it produced higher biomass and growth. Results of the present study revealed that the treatment with microbial consortia could alleviate the deleterious effects of salinity stress and improve the growth of tomato plants under salinity stress. Microbial consortia appear to be the best alternative and cost-effective and sustainable approach for managing soil salinity and improving plant growth under salt stress conditions.

Download Full-text

Influence of Oxidative Stress on Time-Resolved Oxygen Detection by [Ru(Phen)3]2+ In Vivo and In Vitro

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules26020485 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 (2) ◽

pp. 485

Author(s):

Veronika Huntosova ◽

Denis Horvath ◽

Robert Seliga ◽

Georges Wagnieres

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Tissue Oxygenation ◽

Intact Cell ◽

Molecular Probes ◽

Stress Factors ◽

Time Resolved ◽

Invasive Approach ◽

Oxygen Detection

Detection of tissue and cell oxygenation is of high importance in fundamental biological and in many medical applications, particularly for monitoring dysfunction in the early stages of cancer. Measurements of the luminescence lifetimes of molecular probes offer a very promising and non-invasive approach to estimate tissue and cell oxygenation in vivo and in vitro. We optimized the evaluation of oxygen detection in vivo by [Ru(Phen)3]2+ in the chicken embryo chorioallantoic membrane model. Its luminescence lifetimes measured in the CAM were analyzed through hierarchical clustering. The detection of the tissue oxygenation at the oxidative stress conditions is still challenging. We applied simultaneous time-resolved recording of the mitochondrial probe MitoTrackerTM OrangeCMTMRos fluorescence and [Ru(Phen)3]2+ phosphorescence imaging in the intact cell without affecting the sensitivities of these molecular probes. [Ru(Phen)3]2+ was demonstrated to be suitable for in vitro detection of oxygen under various stress factors that mimic oxidative stress: other molecular sensors, H2O2, and curcumin-mediated photodynamic therapy in glioma cancer cells. Low phototoxicities of the molecular probes were finally observed. Our study offers a high potential for the application and generalization of tissue oxygenation as an innovative approach based on the similarities between interdependent biological influences. It is particularly suitable for therapeutic approaches targeting metabolic alterations as well as oxygen, glucose, or lipid deprivation.

Download Full-text

Oxygen Is Instrumental for Biological Signaling: An Overview

Oxygen ◽

10.3390/oxygen1010002 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 3-15

Author(s):

John T. Hancock

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Superoxide Anion ◽

Nitrosative Stress ◽

Redox Status ◽

Complex Interplay ◽

Wide Range ◽

Form Part ◽

High Concentrations ◽

And Control ◽

Signaling Components

Control of cellular function is extremely complex, being reliant on a wide range of components. Several of these are small oxygen-based molecules. Although reactive compounds containing oxygen are usually harmful to cells when accumulated to relatively high concentrations, they are also instrumental in the control of the activity of a myriad of proteins, and control both the upregulation and downregulation of gene expression. The formation of one oxygen-based molecule, such as the superoxide anion, can lead to a cascade of downstream generation of others, such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and the hydroxyl radical (∙OH), each with their own reactivity and effect. Nitrogen-based signaling molecules also contain oxygen, and include nitric oxide (NO) and peroxynitrite, both instrumental among the suite of cell signaling components. These molecules do not act alone, but form part of a complex interplay of reactions, including with several sulfur-based compounds, such as glutathione and hydrogen sulfide (H2S). Overaccumulation of oxygen-based reactive compounds may alter the redox status of the cell and lead to programmed cell death, in processes referred to as oxidative stress, or nitrosative stress (for nitrogen-based molecules). Here, an overview of the main oxygen-based molecules involved, and the ramifications of their production, is given.

Download Full-text

The Effect of High Concentrations of Ethylene on Seed Germination of Douglas Fir (Pseudotsugamenziesii (Mirb.) Franco)

Canadian Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1139/x75-058 ◽

1975 ◽

Vol 5 (3) ◽

pp. 419-423 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Carey Borno ◽

Iain E. P. Taylor

Keyword(s):

Seed Germination ◽

Germination Rate ◽

Inhibitory Effect ◽

Germination Percentage ◽

Douglas Fir ◽

Control Treatment ◽

Continuous Exposure ◽

Short Term ◽

Short Term Exposure ◽

High Concentrations

Stratified, imbibed Douglas fir (Pseudotsugamenziesii (Mirb.) Franco) seeds were exposed to 100% ethylene for times between 0 and 366 h. Germination rate and germination percentage were increased by treatments up to 48 h. The 12-h treatment gave largest stimulation; 30% enhancement of final germination percentage over control. Treatment for 96 h caused increased germination rate for the first 5 days but reduced the germination percentage. Germinants were subject to continuous exposure to atmospheres containing 0.1 – 200 000 ppm ethylene in air, but it did not stimulate growth, and the gas was inhibitory above 100 ppm. Although some effects of high concentrations of ethylene may have been due to the lowering of oxygen supplies, this alone was insufficient to account for the full inhibitory effect. The mechanism of stimulation by short-term exposure to ethylene is discussed.

Download Full-text

The progesterone receptor PROGINS polymorphism is not related to oxidative stress factors in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Cardiovascular Diabetology ◽

10.1186/1475-2840-6-29 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 29 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Muammer Karadeniz ◽

Mehmet Erdogan ◽

Afig Berdeli ◽

Sadik Tamsel ◽

Fusun Saygili ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Progesterone Receptor ◽

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ◽

Polycystic Ovary ◽

Stress Factors ◽

Ovary Syndrome

Download Full-text

Impact of seasonally frozen soil on germinability and antioxidant enzyme activity of Picea asperata seeds

Canadian Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1139/x09-001 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 39 (4) ◽

pp. 723-730 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Jihong Qin ◽

Qing Liu

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Antioxidant Defense ◽

Germination Rate ◽

Antioxidant Defense System ◽

Antioxidant Enzyme Activity ◽

Frozen Soil ◽

Defense System ◽

Frozen Ground ◽

Subalpine Zone ◽

Picea Asperata

In the subalpine zone of the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau of China, Dragon spruce (Picea asperata Mast.) is commonly used for reforestation. The aim of the present work was to study the effects of seasonally frozen soil on the germination of P. asperata seeds and to investigate whether these effects were associated with resumption of the antioxidant defense system. The nonfrozen treatment resulted in near failure of germination (1%) and was associated with relatively high levels of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and low activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxide (APX). Germination of P. asperata seeds at 10 cm under the seasonally frozen soil was higher than that at 5 cm by 26%; this higher germination rate was associated with the recovery of SOD, CAT, and APX activities. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) in seeds from seasonally frozen treatments were higher than those in the nonfrozen treatment, implying greater lipid peroxidation and that frozen seeds might have suffered from oxidative stress. The results indicate that seasonally frozen soil facilitated the germination of P. asperata seeds and that germination was closely related to the resumption of antioxidant enzymes activity. Overall, these findings suggest that the disappearance of seasonally frozen ground caused by global warming might result in failure of regeneration of P. asperata.

Download Full-text