Bioindicator potential of Ricinus communis to simulated rainfall containing potassium fluoride

Background Fluoride pollution is a global problem because of its high phytotoxicity. Fluoride is released in air, water and soil through industrial processes, where it damages various plant species. Ricinus communis is widely distributed in Brazil, India and China and has been extensively used as a phytoremediation species in heavy metal-contaminated soils. However, few studies regarding the effect of air pollutants on R. communis have been published, and no information about the exposure of this species to fluoride is available. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of fluoride on R. communis morphoanatomical and physiological responses using simulated rainfall containing potassium fluoride (KF). Methods Young plants at approximately 10 days after emergence were treated daily with KF using simulated rainfall at 0, 1.5, 3.0 and 4.5 mg L−1, for 37 consecutive days. Chlorophyll a fluorescence, gas exchange, anatomical characteristics and fluoride accumulation in the roots and leaves were evaluated after this period. Results No visual or anatomical symptoms were observed for the first three treatments. Necrosis and chlorosis were visually evident after the 37th day of KF application at 4.5 mg L−1, followed by changes in parenchyma tissues, cell collapse and phenolic compound accumulation at the end of the experiment. No damage was observed in terms of photosynthetic photochemical and biochemical stages. Maintenance of physiological characteristics in the presence of fluoride accumulation in roots and leaves were shown to be important fluoride biomarkers. These characteristics suggest that R. communis is tolerant to 1.5 and 3.0 mg L−1 KF, and is anatomically sensitive at 4.5 mg L−1 KF.

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Evaluation of Phytoremediation Potential of Castor Cultivars for Heavy Metals from Soil

Planta Daninha ◽

10.1590/s0100-83582019370100134 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 37 ◽

Author(s):

M.J. KHAN ◽

N. AHMED ◽

W. HASSAN ◽

T. SABA ◽

S. KHAN ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Heavy Metal ◽

Contaminated Soils ◽

Metal Uptake ◽

Plant Biomass ◽

Ricinus Communis ◽

Contaminated Sites ◽

Heavy Metal Uptake ◽

Randomized Design ◽

Completely Randomized Design

ABSTRACT: Phytoremediation is a useful tool to restore heavy metals contaminated soils. This study was carried out to test two castor (Ricinus communis) cultivars [Local and DS-30] for phytoextraction of heavy metals from the soil spiked by known concentrations of seven metals (Cu, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn). A pot experiment was laid out by using a completely randomized design. Soil and plant samples were analyzed at 100 days after planting. The data on heavy metal uptake by plant tissues (roots, leaves and shoots) of the two castor cultivars suggested that a considerable amount of metals (Fe = 27.18 mg L-1; Cu = 5.06 mg L-1; Cr = 2.95 mg L-1; Mn = 0.22 mg L-1; Ni = 4.66 mg L-1; Pb = 3.33 mg L-1; Zn = 15.04 mg L-1) was accumulated in the plant biomass. The soil heavy metal content at the end of experiment significantly decreased with both cultivars, resulting in improved soil quality. Therefore, it is concluded that both castor cultivars, Local and DS-30, can be used for phytoremediation of heavy metal-contaminated sites.

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Physiological responses of white mustard grown in Zn-contaminated soils

Acta Physiologiae Plantarum ◽

10.1007/s11738-020-03119-8 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 42 (8) ◽

Author(s):

Zahra Soleimannejad ◽

Hamid Reza Sadeghipour ◽

Ahmad Abdolzadeh ◽

Masoud Golalipour

Keyword(s):

Contaminated Soils ◽

Physiological Responses ◽

White Mustard

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Lead uptake and tolerance of Ricinus communis L.

Brazilian Journal of Plant Physiology ◽

10.1590/s1677-04202006000400006 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 18 (4) ◽

pp. 483-489 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

Solange Romeiro ◽

Ana M.M.A. Lagôa ◽

Pedro R. Furlani ◽

Cleide A. de Abreu ◽

Mônica F. de Abreu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nutrient Solution ◽

Ricinus Communis ◽

Block Design ◽

Physiological Responses ◽

Tropical Species ◽

Lead Uptake ◽

Nutritive Solution ◽

Ricinus Communis L ◽

Light Concentration ◽

Set Up

Phytoextraction is an important technique used for the decontamination of areas polluted by lead. Consequently, an understanding of the physiological responses to tolerance of tropical species subjected to increasing levels of contamination is fundamental before considering their use as phytoextractors in contaminated areas. The objective of this study was to assess the lead (Pb) uptake and the tolerance of Ricinus communis L. The plants were cultivated in nutrient solution in a greenhouse under controlled conditions. Lead was tested at concentrations of 0, 100, 200 and 400 µmol L-1. The experimental set-up was a block design, using a 4 x 1 factorial scheme, with three replicates. Biometric analyses, photosynthesis rates, and Pb content in the nutritive solution as well as in roots and shoots were performed. In conclusion, R. communis L is a hyperaccumulator species for Pb and presents tolerance properties in lead light concentration.

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Acute FeNO and Blood Pressure Responses to Air Pollution Exposure in Young Adults during Physical Activity

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17239012 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (23) ◽

pp. 9012

Author(s):

Krzysztof Kocot ◽

Kamil Barański ◽

Edyta Melaniuk-Wolny ◽

Elwira Zajusz-Zubek ◽

Małgorzata Kowalska

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Blood Pressure ◽

Young Adults ◽

Air Pollutants ◽

Physiological Responses ◽

Activity Level ◽

Air Pollution Exposure ◽

Exposure Trial ◽

Pollution Exposure ◽

Outdoor Pm10

During physical exercise, the absorbed dose of air pollutants increases. Acute effects of exposure to air pollutants during exercise in healthy young adults remain poorly documented. The aim of this study was to assess the acute responses in fractionated exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and blood pressure to air pollution exposure during exercise in young adults with different physical activity levels (low or high). In this study, 76 healthy university students participating in physical activity classes (low level of physical activity) and attending sports training (high level of physical activity) completed two indoor exercise trials when air pollutant concentrations were high (exposure trial) and when the quality of the air was good (control trial). We monitored indoor particulate matter with diameter <10 µm and <2.5 µm (PM10 and PM2.5) and outdoor PM10, nitric oxides (NO2, NOx, NO), and sulfur dioxide (SO2) concentrations. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), heart rate (HR), oxygen saturation (SpO2), and FeNO were measured at baseline and after 45–60 min of physical activity. There were no significant differences between physiological responses to training performed under different exposure conditions in blood pressure, HR, and SpO2. Significant positive correlations between post-exercise ΔFeNO during exposure trials and ambient air pollutants were found. FeNO increase during the exposure trial was associated with a higher physical activity level and higher outdoor PM10 and NO2 concentrations. In young and healthy adults, some differences in physiological responses to physical activity between polluted and control environments could be observed. Participants with a high physical activity level were more likely to have an increase in FeNO after exercise in a polluted environment but not after the control exercise trials.

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