Phytotoxicity and Accumulation of Antibiotics in Water Lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) and Parrot Feather (Myriophyllum aquaticum) Plants under Hydroponic Culture Conditions

The aim of this research was to investigate the accumulation of antibiotics in two kinds of plants. The hydroponic culture solution included a mixture of antibiotics, including three commonly used antibiotics in South Korea: norfloxacin (NOR), sulfamethazine (SMZ), and tetracyclines (TC). None of these antibiotics were detected in the shoots of water lettuce plants, only in the roots. However, in parrot feather plants, antibiotics were detected in both the shoots and the roots, with higher amounts detected in the shoots than in the roots. SMZ and TC were most likely to be detected in the roots and shoots of water lettuce and parrot feather plants, and about one-third of the NOR administered was later detected in the plants. The BCF (bioconcentration factor) of antibiotics ranged from 0.24 to 0.78, while that of NOR was much lower, ranging from 0.24 to 0.38. The SMZ (0.59–0.64) and TET (0.72–0.78) exhibited higher uptake accumulation in the water lettuce tissues compared with the parrot feather plants.

Bioaccumulation of Pyraoxystrobin and Its Predictive Evaluation in Zebrafish

This paper aims to understand the bioaccumulation of pyraoxystrobin in fish. Using a flow-through bioconcentration method, the bioconcentration factor (BCF) and clearance rate of pyraoxystrobin in zebrafish were measured. The measured BCF values were then compared to those estimated from three commonly used predication models. At the exposure concentrations of 0.1 μg/L and 1.0 μg/L, the maximum BCF values for pyraoxystrobin in fish were 820.8 and 265.9, and the absorption rate constants (K1) were 391.0 d−1 and 153.2 d−1, respectively. The maximum enrichment occurred at 12 d of exposure. At the two test concentrations, the clearance rate constant (K2) in zebrafish was 0.5795 and 0.4721, and the half-life (t1/2) was 3.84 d and 3.33 d, respectively. The measured BCF values were close to those estimated from bioconcentration predication models.

Field accumulation and translocation of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) from industrial soil by the biodiesel plant, Jatropha curcas

Samples of Jatropha curcas, a non-edible biodiesel plant, which tolerates harsh environments was collected from an industrial area with high anthropogenic activities (Challawa Industrial area, Kano, Nigeria)and sorted into leaves, stems and roots. The aim is to assess the potentials of Jatropha curcas in accumulation and translocation of six Potentially Toxic Elements (PTEs) (Zn, Cu, Cd, Cr, Pb and Ni) from the soil media. Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) was used to assess the concentrations. The bioaccumulation/ transfer of metals from roots to shoots and from soil to roots were evaluated in terms of translocation (TF) and bioconcentration factor (BCF). TF values of 1.02, 4.92, 2.68, 3.73, 1.5 and 3.19 for Zn, Cu, Cd, Cr, Pb and Ni respectively indicate that J. curcas was efficient in translocation of PTEs from roots to shoots. This is an indication that the plant is therefore suitable for phytoextraction of Zn, Cu, Cd, Cr, Pb and Ni. But CF value of 0.66 and 0.70 for Cu and Pb on the other hand shows that J. curcas is less able to translocate these two metals (Cu and Pb) indicating ineffective transfer. This show that J. curcas may be suitable a candidate for phytostabilization of Copper and lead in contaminated soils in the study area.

From Soil to Grape and Wine: Geographical Variations in Elemental Profiles in Different Chinese Regions

Elemental profiles are frequently applied to identify the geographical origin and authenticity of food products, to guarantee quality. The concentrations of fifteen major, minor, and trace elements (Na, Mg, K, Ca, Al, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Li, Cd, Cs, and Ba) were determined in soils, “Meili” grapes, and wines from six regions in China by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The elemental concentrations in these samples, according to the geographical origins, were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Duncan’s multiple comparisons. The bioconcentration factor (BCF) from soil to grape and the transfer factor (TF) from grape to wine were calculated. Mg, K, Ca, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, and Ba presented higher BCF values than the other seven elements. The TF values of six elements (Na, Mg, K, Zn, Li, and Cs) were found to be greater than one. Moreover, the correlation of element content between the pairs of soil–grape, grape–wine, and bioconcentration factor (BCF)–environmental factor were analyzed. Significant correspondences among soil, grape, and wine were observed for K and Li. Two elements (Sr and Li) showed significant correlations between BCF and environmental factor (relative humidity, temperature, and latitude). A linear discriminant analysis (LDA) with three variables (K, Sr, Li) revealed a high accuracy (>90%) to determine the geographical origin for different Chinese regions.

Lead Accumulation of Siam Weed (Chromolaena odorata) Grown in Hydroponics Under Drought-stressed Conditions

The phytoremediation potential of Siam weed (Chromolaena odorata) was tested in lead (Pb) contaminated nutrient media with 5% (w/v) of polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000 induced drought stress conditions. The plant was treated with 0, 5, 10, 20, and 50 mg/L Pb for 15 days. Different concentrations of Pb or in combination with PEG had no effect on plant growth parameters. Drought reduced water content (WC) (p<0.05), but did not affect the reduction of chlorophyll content and photochemical efficiency in plant tissues after 15 days of treatment. Under drought conditions, plants showed the largest Pb accumulation in roots (5,503.7 mg/kg) and exhibited the highest uptake at 50 mg/L solution (18.24 g/plant), but the translocation factor values (TFs) of Pb from root to shoot were all less than 1. Under both drought and non-drought conditions, the bioconcentration factor values (BCFs) decreased with increasing Pb concentrations. According to BCFs and TFs, C. odorata may be promising for phytostabilization of Pb. Based on high biomass, tolerance, and Pb uptake, the result of this hydroponic study test reveals that C. odorata has a good potential for developing Pb phytoremediation strategies in drought-stressed conditions.

Effects of Iron-Oxide Nanoparticles (Fe3O4) Released From Synthesized Iron-based Thiourea Catalyst on the Growth, Cell Density, and Pigment Content of Chlorella Vulgaris

This study investigated the effects of Fe3O4 nanoparticles released from synthesized Thiourea catalyst to Chlorella vulgaris as an essential primary producer in aquatic systems. A range of Fe3O4 concentrations (0, 10, 100, 250, 500, 750, and 1000 mg L-1) was applied for the exposure test. Biological parameters of C. vulgaris, including cell density, cell viability, and pigment content were assessed. Bioconcentration factor and bioaccumulation were evaluated for contaminated microalgae. Non-carcinogenic risks were then assessed using target hazard quotient (THQ) for potential human consumptions. Findings showed that C. vulgaris cell numbers increased from 0 to 500 mg L-1 of Fe3O4. Chlorophyll a represented a time-dependent response, and greatest values were detected in 250 and 500 mg L-1 Fe3O4 at 4.2 and 4 mg/g, respectively. Chlorophyll b content showed a time-related manner in exposure to Fe3O4 with the highest values recorded at 250 mg L-1 after 96 h. Moreover, bioaccumulation displayed a dose-dependent response as bioaccumulated iron was in the largest amount at 15000 µg/g dw in 1000 mg L-1, whereas the lowest one was in the control group at 1700 µg/g dw. The bioconcentration factor showed a concentration-relevant decrease in all iron treatments and 10 mg L-1 of Fe3O4 represented the greatest BCF at 327.3611. Non-carcinogenic risks illustrated negligible hazard (THQ < 1) in a dose-response pattern and the largest EDI and THQ were calculated in 1000 mg L-1 at 7.4332E-07 (mg kg-1 day-1) and 1.06189E-09, respectively. In essence, iron is an essential trace element for biological aspects in aquatic systems, but in exceeding concentrations could impose toxicity effects in C. vulgaris populations.

Elementome of Endemic Dolomitic Flora: Pterocephalus spathulatus (Lag.) Coult

Unusual dolomite substrates present a phenomenon known as dolomitophily, which refers to the specificity of the flora that grows on them. Within the dolomitic flora, one of the most widespread plants in Spain is the characteristic species Pterocephalus spathulatus (Lag.) Coult., which forms whitish prostrate thymes. The present study focused on the knowledge about the ionome (or elementome) of a characteristic dolomite species and some of its applications, both in terms of its nutritional behaviour and in determining the factors that favour the rich and rare flora growing on dolomitic soils. Soil, foliar, stem and root samples of the species studied were collected from different locations in the south of Spain. The samples were analysed to determine their mineral composition. The Bioconcentration Factor (BCF) and the Translocation Factor (TF) were calculated, relating the values of the mineral contents in the soil, both total and phytoavailable, to the values from the foliar, root and stem samples. It was found that this species was able to accumulate some elements, including B, Cr, Cu, Ni, Ti, Tl and Zn, which can be phytotoxic in high concentrations, and are considered to be some of the main toxic metals in soils. In addition, it was observed that the plant can accumulate metals in the stem and leaves (TF), thus proving that it is capable of transporting them from the root to the aerial part of the plant. The data obtained may indicate that other species in the plant community may possess this bioindicator or even phytoremediation capacity.

Phytomanagement of a Trace Element-Contaminated Site to Produce a Natural Dye: First Screening of an Emerging Biomass Valorization Chain

The study of different possible biomass valorization routes is crucial in order to diversify phytomanagement options, allowing the landowner/stakeholder to choose the best option based on site characteristics and the benefits of local value chains. In the current study, field and laboratory experiments were conducted to assess the suitabilitity of Malva sylvestris L. for the phytoattenuation of a dredged sediment disposal site contaminated with trace elements (trace element (Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn). The selected crop was Malva sylvestris, a flowering plant from which a colourant can be extracted to be used in dying of textiles as a way to valorize the produced biomass grown on this contaminated land. Under the conditions of the investigated site, the analysis of TE in the sediment and the biomass matrix showed no effect of M. sylvestris on the sediment TE contamination mobility with an excluder phenotype (Bioconcentration factor < 1). Metal concentrations were found to be the highest in the leaves followed by in the stem and flower. The dye extract obtained from the flower part of M. sylvestris permitted the silk alum-pretreated fabric to be dyed yellow, and the TE concentration in the dyed textile fabrics respected the threshold values set by OEKO-Tex standard 100.

Introduction to the native plant species with phytoremediation potential growing in a high Fe and Zn contaminated site in the copper mine of Dehmadan, Iran

Mining activity is one main source of heavy metal pollution. In this study, Al, Ba, Be, Ca, Cd, Co, Ce, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ga, Gd, K, La, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Nb, Nd, Ni, P, Pb, S, Sc, Si, Sr, Ti, V, Y, Zn and Zr were measured by ICP-OES analyzing of the soils taken in the Dehmadan mining area, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, Iran. Al, Fe, Cu, Si and Zn were the most frequent metals in the mining area. Phytoremediation is one of the eco-friendly methods to effectively remediate soils contaminated with heavy metals. Consequently, the wild plants were collected from the mining area and subjected to ICP-OES analysis to determine the elements concentrations. A reverse relation was observed between the metals concentrations and vegetation density in the mining area. Finally, the bioconcentration factor (BCF) of the root and shoot, and translocation factor (TF) were determined to assess phytoremediation potential of species. The shoot elements concentrations in combination with BCF and TF greater than 1 were assess to determine hyperaccumulators and plants with excluder potential. Overall, the results showed that BCF in parallel with TF and metals concentrations can advance the knowledge of recognizing hyperaccumulators for phytoremediation of polluted environment.

Assessment of heavy metal accumulation in tissues of keperas (Cyclocheilichthys apogon Val. 1842) in Lake Lau Kawar, North Sumatra

Lake Lau Kawar is one of the exposed areas in North Sumatra by the volcanic ash originating from Mount Sinabung eruption. The lake has been utilized as a tourism site and fish resources for consumption by the local community. Keperas (Cyclocheilichthys apogon Val. 1842) is one of the native fish commonly caught by the community. The aim of this study was to determine the levels of selected heavy metals such as copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) accumulated by C. apogon and the ones present in the lake water. The results showed that Zn present in the highest concentration followed by Cu and Pb as similar to the results from bioconcentration factor (BCF). All heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Zn) exhibited their highest concentrations in the gills, while the muscles possessed the lowest concentrations of all metals. Risk assessment based on the national and internasional standard revealed that the concentration of these metals was relatively low and safe for consumption.