Phytotoxity of waste waters with Cr and

The dry and fresh biomass and metal concentration (Cr, Ni) in roots and shoots of mustard (S. alba L.) seedlings was evaluated in laboratory experiments with three types of washing waste-waters from cutlery production line. All tested washing waters reduced root dry mass, where-as the dry mass of shoots was either not affected or it increased. The effect of tested washing waters was stronger on fresh mass production than on dry mass production. This indicates problems in water reception and translocation. While the accumulation of Cr was higher in the roots, Ni was distributed equally through the whole plant seedling. Cr uptake in the roots and shoots was in average about 1.7 and 7.3 times, respectively, lower than that of Ni. Ni percentage uptake from washing waters in the roots and shoots was nearly equal and range from 10.2 to 15.8%.

COMPARISON OF STINGING NETTLE ADSORPTION PERFORMANCE TOWARDS ANIONIC AND CATIONIC DYES

Stinging nettle was used as lignocellulosic adsorbent for the removal of cationic dye – malachite green (MG), and anionic dye – Congo red (CR), from aqueous solution, without any chemical pretreatment. The adsorption equilibrium data fitted well with the Langmuir model for the adsorption of both dyes, with the calculated maximum adsorption capacity of 270.27 mgg-1 and 172.14 mgg-1 for MG and CR, respectively. The adsorption process was controlled by the pseudo-second-order model in the adsorption of MG and by the pseudo-first-order model in the adsorption of CR. The thermodynamics modelling displayed that the process was spontaneous and endothermic. The π–π electron–donor interaction, hydrogen bonds and pore diffusion may also be effective, besides electrostatic interaction between the adsorbate and the adsorbent in the mechanism of MG and CR uptake.

Soil applied glycine betaine with Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi reduces chromium uptake and ameliorates chromium toxicity by suppressing the oxidative stress in three genetically different Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) cultivars

Background Chromium is the most toxic pollutant that negatively affects a plant’s metabolic activities and yield. It reduces plant growth by influencing the antioxidant defence system’s activities. In the present study, a completely randomized block design experiment with three plants/pot in three replication was conducted on three varieties of sorghum viz. SSG 59–3, HJ 513 (multi-cut) and HJ 541 (single-cut) for amelioration of chromium toxicity (2 & 4 ppm) by exogenous application of GB (50 & 100 mM) with and without AMF in soil. The ameliorative effects were tested at two growth stages viz. vegetative (35 DAS) and grain filling (95 DAS), in terms of Cr uptake, grain yield, antioxidative defence system parameters (viz. enzymes – SOD, APX, CAT, GR, POX and metabolites – proline, glutathione, ascorbate, β-carotene) and indices of oxidative stress parameters (viz. PPO, H2O2, and MDA). Results The results delineated that Cr uptake and indices of oxidative stress were increased with increasing concentration of Cr stress in all the varieties (HJ 541, HJ513 & SSG 59–3) at both the growth stages (35 & 95 DAS). At higher concentration (4 ppm), Cr stress decreased the grain yield (45–50%) as compared with controls. Polyphenoloxidase activity, MDA and H2O2 content increased at both growth stages in all the varieties. However, antioxidative enzymes and metabolite activities increased due to Cr stress but this increase was not sufficient to counteract with ROS generated under Cr stress which was enhanced on the application of AMF and GB either individually or in combination (spiked in soil). It decreased the indices of oxidative stress and ameliorated the Cr toxicity and increased grain yield (65–70%) in all the varieties. Conclusions Both GB and AMF improved the antioxidative activities and stress tolerance capacity of the plant. Glycine betaine at both 50 and 100 mM level, significantly ameliorated Cr toxicity. However, AMF concomitantly with GB further boosts up the amelioration behaviour of the plant against Cr toxicity, at both growth stages in all the varieties. The combination of 100 mM GB with 10 g AMF was observed most effective among all the treatments. Among the varieties, SSG 59–3 had the lowest chromium uptake, indices of oxidative stress, and highest antioxidative system’s activity as compared to HJ 513 followed by HJ 541 variety. Thus AMF and GB either individually or in combination may be used to maintain plant yield attributes under Cr toxicity.

Seed Priming with Brassinosteroids Alleviates Chromium Stress in Rice Cultivars via Improving ROS Metabolism and Antioxidant Defense Response at Biochemical and Molecular Levels

This research was performed to explore the vital role of seed priming with a 0.01 µM concentration of brassinosteroids (EBL) to alleviate the adverse effects of Cr (100 µM) in two different rice cultivars. Seed priming with EBL significantly enhanced the germination attributes (germination percentage, germination energy, germination index, and vigor index, etc.), photosynthetic rate as well as plant growth (shoot and root length including the fresh and dry weight) under Cr toxicity as compared to the plants primed with water. Cr toxicity induced antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, POD, CAT, and APX) and ROS level (MDA and H2O2 contents) in both rice cultivars; however, a larger increment was observed in YLY-689 (tolerant) than CY-927 (sensitive) cultivar. EBL application stimulatingly increased antioxidant enzyme activities to scavenge ROS production under Cr stress. The gene expression of SOD and POD in EBL-primed rice plants followed a similar increasing trend as observed in the case of enzymatic activities of SOD and POD compared to water-primed rice plants. Simultaneously, Cr uptake was observed to be significantly higher in the water-primed control compared to plants primed with EBL. Moreover, Cr uptake was significant in YLY-689 compared to CY-927. In ultra-structure studies, it was observed that EBL priming relieved the rice plants from sub-cellular damage. Conclusively, our research indicated that seed priming with EBL could be adopted as a promising strategy to enhance rice growth by copping the venomous effect of Cr.

Cardiac rehabilitation uptake in ESC member countries: heterogeneity and obstacles

Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Introduction Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) is a multidisciplinary intervention with proved results in patients with cardiovascular (CV) disease. CR penetration status and implementation strategies differ among ESC various members, with different uptake performance according to the results from the latest Overview of CR in ESC member countries (OCRE) report. Purpose To analyse possible implementation factors influencing differential CR phase II uptake after myocardial infarction across OCRE countries. Methods An online survey was sent to all National CV Prevention Coordinators of 51 ESC member countries (champion physicians with deep understanding of their national CR state and easy access to all CR centres for information), to cover important CR demographic, structural and quality control topics. Chi-Square test of independence was performed to find possible statistical associations among surveyed topics with reported average post-MI uptake rate per country. Results Forty-two ESC-affiliated countries answered the survey (82% participation rate): 57% were from the South (n = 24); 62% high income countries, 24% upper middle, 14% lower middle, as defined by the ESC Atlas; 65% (n = 28) followed ESC related guidelines. CR uptake was reported at 0-25% (n = 17), 25-50% (n = 14), 50-75% (n = 7), 75-100% (n = 4). There was a significant correlation between geographic localization and CR patient enrolment, with Northern countries having a higher rate of uptake [X2 (3, n = 42) p = 0,012]. Country wealth did not correlate with CR uptake, but patient low socio-economic status per se, reported as an obstacle by 50% of all countries, showed a positive correlation trend with lower CR enrolment [X2 (3, N = 42), p = 0,07]. A positive association trend between CR predominantly funded by public means and uptake rate was also noted [X2 (3, N = 42), p = 0,08]. Other factors, such as in or outpatient CR delivery predominance or coordination of the program by a cardiologist did not influence the uptake rate. Forty-one percent of the countries reported lack of preventive culture as an obstacle at healthcare level and 16% of them stated cultural issues at patient-level, although no distinct correlation with CR uptake was shown. Conclusions Our analysis shows regional differences between Northern and Southern countries in terms of CR uptake following myocardial infarction. The positive exploratory correlation trends may suggest that social/cultural/financial aspects may play a role in the uptake asymmetries. Specifically powered studies and interaction analysis should be sought in the future concerning those variables in particular.

Exogenous AMF with Glycine Betaine Reduces Cr (VI) Uptake and Alleviates Chromium Toxicity by Supressing the Oxidative Stress in Three Genetically Different Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) Cultivars

Background: Chromium is most toxic pollutant that negatively affects plant’s metabolic activities and yield. It reduces plant growth by influencing the antioxidant defense system’s activities. The aim of the present research was to examine the ameliorative capability of exogenous GB and AMF spiked in soil, either individually or in combination against Cr toxicity. The ameliorative effects were studied in terms of Cr uptake, grain yield, antioxidative defense system parameters (viz. enzymes – SOD, APX, CAT, GR, POX and metabolites – proline, glutathione, ascorbate, β-carotene) and indices of oxidative stress parameters (viz. PPO, H2O2, and MDA). Results:The results delineated that Cr uptake and indices of oxidative stress were increased with increasing concentration of Cr stress in all the varieties (HJ 541, HJ513 & SSG 59-3) at both the growth stages (35 & 95 DAS). At higher concentration (4 ppm), Cr stress decreased the grain yield (45-50%) as compared with controls. PPO activity, MDA and H2O2 content increased at both growth stages in all the varieties. However, antioxidative enzymes and metabolite activities increased due to Cr stress but this increase was not sufficient to counteract with ROS generated under Cr stress which was enhanced on the application of AMF and GB either individually or in combination (spiked in soil). It decreased the indices of oxidative stress and ameliorated the Cr toxicity and increased grain yield (65-70%) in all the varieties. Conclusions:Both GB and AMF, improved the plant growth and stress tolerance capacity of the plant. GB at both 50 and 100 mM level, significantly ameliorated Cr (VI) toxicity. However, AMF concomitantly with GB further boost up the amelioration behavior of the plant against Cr toxicity, at both growth stages in all the varieties. The combination of 100 mM GB with 10 g AMF was observed most effective among all the treatments. Among the varieties SSG 59-3 had the lowest chromium uptake, indices of oxidative stress, and highest antioxidative system’s activity as compared to HJ 513 followed by HJ 541 variety. Thus AMF and GB either individually or in combination may be used to maintain plant yield attributes under Cr toxicity.

Phytomanagement of Chromium-Contaminated Soils Using Cannabis sativa (L.)

This study aimed to assess whether hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) behaves as a Cr(III)-tolerant or a hyperaccumulator species and whether it could be a suitable species for the phytomanagement of Cr(III)-contaminated soils. The experiment was conducted in pots under greenhouse conditions comparing two fiber hemp (Fibranova and Carmagnola) and two seed hemp (Futura 75 and Fedora 17) varieties under four different soil Cr levels (24.3, 40.1, 55.8, and 87.4 mg kg−1) supplied with tannery sludge. The Cr level did not significantly influence hemp biomass production or Cr accumulation in the aboveground biomass. Focusing on marketable fractions, Cr uptake was 0.03 ± 0.04 mg plant−1 in the stems of fiber varieties and 0.60 ± 0.17 mg plant−1 in the seeds of seed varieties. The only significant accumulation of Cr content was indeed observed in the root system, where it reached 0.63 mg plant−1 for the fiber varieties and 1.76 mg plant−1 for the seed varieties in the fertilization with 200% N by tannery sludge (T200) treatment. The Cr translocation factor (aboveground-to-belowground biomass) decreased from 2.17 to 0.37, increasing the Cr level applied from 24.3 to 87.4 µg g−1. The maximum Cr concentrations in aboveground biomass fractions (average value of 40.4 mg kg−1) were found in the seeds, regardless of treatment. The low Cr content in the aboveground biomass suggests that hemp can be considered an excluder species, valid as a candidate for Cr-contaminated soils’ phytomanagement.

The Role of Mangroves in the Retention of Heavy Metal (Chromium): A Simulation Study in the Thi Vai River Catchment, Vietnam

In this study, chromium (Cr) retention by the mangroves in the Thi Vai catchment located in the south of Vietnam was simulated using a coupled model of the hydrodynamic model Delft3D with Cr transport and a model for the uptake of Cr by mangroves. This coupled model was calibrated and validated using data from four hydrodynamic stations and data from phytoremediation studies. To analyze the effect of mangroves on reducing Cr pollution, three scenarios were run by the model. Scenario 1 (SC1) is based on the actual situation concerning discharges and the distribution of mangroves. Scenario 2 (SC2) simulates the deterioration of the actual situation by deforestation on the west bank and the establishment of more industrial zones on the east bank. Scenario 3 (SC3) simulates an eco-friendly development comprising the channeling of wastewater through constructed wetlands with mangroves prior to the discharge into the river. Simulation results showed that the total Cr uptake by mangroves in SC3 was higher than in the other two scenarios. In total, 33 kg Cr in water were absorbed by the constructed wetlands in SC3 within one month. The simulation results helped in overcoming the difficulties and challenges in assessing the capacity of mangrove forests on the retention of chromium at catchment scale.