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The Potential of Plants to Absorb Xenobiotics
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The Potential of Plants to Absorb Xenobiotics

A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Ecology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2022) | Viewed by 31857

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Valeria Spagnuolo

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Guest Editor
Department of Biology, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, 80126 Napoli, Italy
Interests: phytoremediation; plant biomonitoring; plant response to abiotic stress; plant biodiversity along environmental gradients
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Fiore Capozzi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biology, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, 80126 Napoli, Italy
Interests: plants as biomonitors of air quality; phytoremediation; factors influencing plant growth in a space environment
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Luis Gómez

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Centre for Plant Biotechnology and Genomics (CBGP UPM-INIA), Campus de Montegancedo, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28223 Madrid, Spain
Interests: tree physiology; tree biotechnology; metabolic engineering; oxidative stress; biomass
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Environmental contamination by pollutants is a complex and pressing problem deeply felt at a global scale, particularly in densely populated and industrialized areas, where we are witnessing an increase in urbanization, intensive agricultural practices, and drastic changes in the land use. Non-biodegradable pollutants accumulate in the environment as a consequence of natural and anthropogenic activities, such as rock weathering, volcanic emissions, metal-ore exploitation, industrial activities, and waste disposal. These pollutants can poison the atmosphere through an increase in “enriched” particulate matter (PM) and can contaminate water bodies, sediments, and soils.

Heavy metals, organic pollutants, microplastics, and other xenobiotics can accumulate in living organisms along the food chain, posing a serious risk at the top trophic levels, including humans. Therefore, the monitoring and cleaning-up of pollutants in the environmental compartment represent crucial ways to minimize the hazard to ecosystems. To date, many physical, chemical, and biological approaches have been used to cope with this problem, with differing outcomes. The use of plants and associated soil microbes to restore polluted soils or absorb/adsorb pollutants from water bodies or the atmosphere could be an effective and green method for both biomonitoring and environmental restoration. The aim of this Special Issue is to present a collection of original studies focused on the capacity of plants to absorb/adsorb xenobiotics from the environment, particularly emerging pollutants. 

Prof. Dr. Valeria Spagnuolo
Dr. Fiore Capozzi
Dr. Luis Gomez
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Plants is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • metals and metalloids
  • PAHs
  • POPs
  • nanoplastics
  • nanoparticles
  • plant storage
  • pollutant transformation
  • pollutant translocation

Published Papers (13 papers)

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Editorial

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5 pages, 179 KiB  
Editorial
The Potential of Plants to Absorb Xenobiotics
by Fiore Capozzi and Valeria Spagnuolo
Plants 2024, 13(7), 922; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/plants13070922 - 22 Mar 2024
Viewed by 474
Abstract
Environmental pollution is a pressing problem that endangers our biosphere [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Potential of Plants to Absorb Xenobiotics)

Research

Jump to: Editorial

13 pages, 2030 KiB  
Article
Photosynthetic, Molecular and Ultrastructural Characterization of Toxic Effects of Zinc in Caulerpa racemosa Indicate Promising Bioremediation Potentiality
by Simone Landi, Giorgia Santini, Ermenegilda Vitale, Gabriella Di Natale, Giulia Maisto, Carmen Arena and Sergio Esposito
Plants 2022, 11(21), 2868; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/plants11212868 - 27 Oct 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1345
Abstract
Caulerpaceae are unconventional green algae composed of multinucleated, single siphonous cells. The species of Caulerpa are acquiring major scientific interest for both their invasion in the Mediterranean ecological niche and for the production of valuable natural metabolites. Furthermore, the abilities of Caulerpa spp. [...] Read more.
Caulerpaceae are unconventional green algae composed of multinucleated, single siphonous cells. The species of Caulerpa are acquiring major scientific interest for both their invasion in the Mediterranean ecological niche and for the production of valuable natural metabolites. Furthermore, the abilities of Caulerpa spp. in the biorecovery of polluted waters were recently investigated. Among heavy metal contaminants in marine systems, zinc (Zn) is considered a critical pollutant, progressively accumulating from plastic leachates. In this study, the responses of Caulerpa racemosa to different levels (5–10 mg L−1) of Zn were studied for 14 days under laboratory-controlled conditions. Effects of Zn were monitored by measuring the growth rate, photosynthetic efficiency and gene expression. Moreover, the ability of Caulerpa to remove Zn from seawater was monitored. Zn induced detrimental effects by decreasing the relative growth rate (RGR) and maximal PSII photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm). Moreover, C. racemosa, grown in contaminated seawater, reduced the levels of Zn to a final concentration of 1.026 and 1.932 mg L−1 after 14 days, thus demonstrating efficient uptake. Therefore, our results characterized the effects of zinc on C. racemosa and the possible role of this alga as being effective in the bioremediation of marine seawater. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Potential of Plants to Absorb Xenobiotics)
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10 pages, 1217 KiB  
Article
Mercury Phytotoxicity and Tolerance in Three Wild Plants during Germination and Seedling Development
by Carolina Kalinhoff and Norma-Thalia Calderón
Plants 2022, 11(15), 2046; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/plants11152046 - 05 Aug 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1650
Abstract
By examining plant responses to heavy metal stress during the early stages of the life cycle, we can predict their tolerance and survival in polluted areas as well as their potential for bioremediation. The objective of our study was to evaluate the effect [...] Read more.
By examining plant responses to heavy metal stress during the early stages of the life cycle, we can predict their tolerance and survival in polluted areas as well as their potential for bioremediation. The objective of our study was to evaluate the effect of exposure to mercury (Hg) on the germination and in vitro development of three plant species: Bidens pilosa, Taraxacum officinale (Asteraceae), and Heliocarpus americanus (Malvaceae). These are wild ecotypes adapted to local edaphoclimatic conditions in southern Ecuador, an area which has been historically affected by artisanal and small-scale gold mining (SSGM). For comparison, we additionally used a known Hg-tolerant plant, Lactuca sativa (Asteraceae). We tested biorelevant concentrations of Hg, equivalent to those occurring in soils affected by SSGM, i.e., up to 4.0 mg/L of Hg. The relative inhibitory effects of the treatments (0.6, 2.0, and 4.0 mg/L of Hg) on the germination percentage were most evident in T. officinale, followed by B. pilosa, while L. sativa and H. americanus were not affected. In terms of the time needed to reach 50% germination (T50), B. pilosa exposed to higher concentrations of Hg showed an increase in T50, while H. americanus showed a significant reduction compared to the control treatment. The reduction in radicle length at 4.0 mg/L Hg compared to the control was more evident in L. sativa (86%) than in B. pilosa (55.3%) and H. americanus (31.5%). We concluded that, in a scenario of Hg contamination in the evaluated concentration range, the grass B. pilosa and the tree H. americanus could have a higher probability of establishment and survival. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Potential of Plants to Absorb Xenobiotics)
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14 pages, 4596 KiB  
Article
Native Hyperaccumulator Plants with Differential Phytoremediation Potential in an Artisanal Gold Mine of the Ecuadorian Amazon
by Irene Chamba-Eras, Daniel M. Griffith, Carolina Kalinhoff, Jorge Ramírez and Manuel Jesús Gázquez
Plants 2022, 11(9), 1186; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/plants11091186 - 28 Apr 2022
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3112
Abstract
In tropical forests of southern Ecuador, artisanal gold mining releases heavy metals that become xenobiotic with indefinite circulation and eventual bioaccumulation. Restoration and rehabilitation of degraded mining sites represent a major ecological, technological and economic issue. In this study, we estimate the capacity [...] Read more.
In tropical forests of southern Ecuador, artisanal gold mining releases heavy metals that become xenobiotic with indefinite circulation and eventual bioaccumulation. Restoration and rehabilitation of degraded mining sites represent a major ecological, technological and economic issue. In this study, we estimate the capacity of two native woody plants to accumulate cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn) and mercury (Hg), with the goal of developing effective strategies for phytoremediation of mining sites. Individuals of Erato polymnioides and Miconia sp., as well as their rhizospheric soils, were sampled from a natural zone (NZ) of montane cloud forest, used as a control, and a polluted zone (PZ) subjected to active gold mining. Concentrations of the four heavy metals were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Cd, Zn and Hg concentrations were higher in soils of PZ than NZ. Bioaccumulation (BCF) and translocation factors (TF) showed that Miconia sp. has potential for Cd and Zn phytostabilization, E. polymnioides has potential for Cd and Zn phytoextraction, and both species have potential for Hg phytoextraction. Despite the low productivity of these species, their adaptability to the edaphoclimatic conditions of the region and the possibility of using amendments to increase their biomass could compensate for the effectiveness of these species in reclaiming soils contaminated by mining. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Potential of Plants to Absorb Xenobiotics)
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10 pages, 1571 KiB  
Article
Metals Induce Genotoxicity in Three Cardoon Cultivars: Relation to Metal Uptake and Distribution in Extra- and Intracellular Fractions
by Maria Cristina Sorrentino, Simonetta Giordano, Fiore Capozzi and Valeria Spagnuolo
Plants 2022, 11(4), 475; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/plants11040475 - 09 Feb 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1253
Abstract
Heavy metal-polluted soil represents an important stress condition for plants. Several studies demonstrated that growth inhibition under metal stress and metal-induced damages, including genotoxicity, is particularly pronounced at the early stages of seedling growth. Moreover, it is reported that heavy metals enter the [...] Read more.
Heavy metal-polluted soil represents an important stress condition for plants. Several studies demonstrated that growth inhibition under metal stress and metal-induced damages, including genotoxicity, is particularly pronounced at the early stages of seedling growth. Moreover, it is reported that heavy metals enter the cytoplasm to exert their detrimental effect, including DNA damage. In this work, we estimated (i) metal-induced genotoxicity by ISSR molecular markers and (ii) the distribution of the metal fractions between symplast and apoplast by EDTA washing, in three cultivars of Cynara cardunculus var. altilis (L.) DC (Sardo, Siciliano, and Spagnolo), grown in hydroponics for 15 days with Cd or Pb: In line with the literature, in all cultivars, the genotoxic damage induced by Pb was more severe compared to Cd. However, a cultivar-specific response was evidenced since Spagnolo showed, under metal stress, a significantly higher genome template stability compared to the other examined cultivars. The lower genotoxicity observed in Spagnolo could depend on the lower intracellular metal concentration measured in this cultivar by chemical analysis. Accordingly, light microscopy highlighted that Spagnolo developed smaller and more numerous epidermal cells under metal stress; these cells would provide a larger wall surface offering a wider metal sequestration compartment in the apoplast. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Potential of Plants to Absorb Xenobiotics)
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13 pages, 1129 KiB  
Article
Assessment of the Transfer of Trace Metals to Spontaneous Plants on Abandoned Pyrrhotite Mine: Potential Application for Phytostabilization of Phosphate Wastes
by Meryem El Berkaoui, Mariam El Adnani, Rachid Hakkou, Ahmed Ouhammou, Najib Bendaou and Abdelaziz Smouni
Plants 2022, 11(2), 179; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/plants11020179 - 11 Jan 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1610
Abstract
The abandoned Kettara pyrrhotite mine (Marrakech region, Morocco) is a real source of acid mine drainage (AMD) and heavy metal pollution from previous mining operations—which has spread, particularly because of wind erosion. A store-and-release cover system made of phosphate wastes was built on [...] Read more.
The abandoned Kettara pyrrhotite mine (Marrakech region, Morocco) is a real source of acid mine drainage (AMD) and heavy metal pollution from previous mining operations—which has spread, particularly because of wind erosion. A store-and-release cover system made of phosphate wastes was built on the site for preventing AMD. To ensure the integrity of this cover and its durability, it is desirable to revegetate it (phytostabilization) with plants adapted to the edaphoclimatic conditions of the region. In this paper, a study was carried out on the spontaneous vegetation around the phosphate cover in order to consider the selection of plants to promote the stabilization of the Kettara mine tailings pond. Nine species of native plants with their rhizospheric soils growing in agricultural soils and tailings from the Kettara mine were collected, and metals (As, Cd, Co, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Cr) were analyzed. The soil analysis showed that the tailings contained high concentrations of Cu (177.64 mg/kg) and Pb (116.80 mg/kg) and that the agricultural soil contained high concentrations of As (25.07 mg/kg) and Cu (251.96 mg/kg) exceeding the toxicity level (Cu > 100 mg/kg, Pb > 100 mg/kg, As > 20 mg/kg). The plant analysis showed low trace metal accumulation in Scolymus hispanicus, Festuca ovina, Cleome brachycarpa, Carlina involucrata and Peganum harmala. These species had a bioconcentration factor (BCF) greater than 1 and a translocation factor (TF) less than 1, demonstrating a high tolerance to trace metals. Therefore, they are good candidates for use in the phytoremediation of the Kettara mine tailings. These species could also potentially be used for the phytostabilization of the phosphate waste cover of the Kettara mine, thus completing the rehabilitation process of this area. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Potential of Plants to Absorb Xenobiotics)
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19 pages, 49250 KiB  
Article
Oil Palm’s Empty Fruit Bunch as a Sorbent Material in Filter System for Oil-Spill Clean Up
by Nurul Aini Puasa, Siti Aqlima Ahmad, Nur Nadhirah Zakaria, Khalilah Abdul Khalil, Siti Hajar Taufik, Azham Zulkharnain, Alyza Azzura Azmi, Claudio Gomez-Fuentes, Chiew-Yen Wong and Noor Azmi Shaharuddin
Plants 2022, 11(1), 127; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/plants11010127 - 04 Jan 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2743
Abstract
Oil pollution such as diesel poses a significant threat to the environment. Due to this, there is increasing interest in using natural materials mainly from agricultural waste as organic oil spill sorbents. Oil palm’s empty fruit bunch (EFB), a cost-effective material, non-toxic, renewable [...] Read more.
Oil pollution such as diesel poses a significant threat to the environment. Due to this, there is increasing interest in using natural materials mainly from agricultural waste as organic oil spill sorbents. Oil palm’s empty fruit bunch (EFB), a cost-effective material, non-toxic, renewable resource, and abundantly available in Malaysia, contains cellulosic materials that have been proven to show a good result in pollution treatment. This study evaluated the optimum screening part of EFB that efficiently absorbs oil and the physicochemical characterisation of untreated and treated EFB fibre using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The treatment conditions were optimised using one-factor-at-a-time (OFAT), which identified optimal treatment conditions of 170 °C, 20 min, 0.1 g/cm3, and 10% diesel, resulting in 23 mL of oil absorbed. The predicted model was highly significant in statistical Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and confirmed that all the parameters (temperature, time, packing density, and diesel concentration) significantly influenced the oil absorbed. The predicted values in RSM were 175 °C, 22.5 min, 0.095 g/cm3, and 10%, which resulted in 24 mL of oil absorbed. Using the experimental values generated by RSM, 175 °C, 22.5 min, 0.095 g/cm3, and 10%, the highest oil absorption achieved was 24.33 mL. This study provides further evidence, as the data suggested that RSM provided a better approach to obtain a high efficiency of oil absorbed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Potential of Plants to Absorb Xenobiotics)
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21 pages, 2709 KiB  
Article
Coco Peat as Agricultural Waste Sorbent for Sustainable Diesel-Filter System
by Gayathiri Verasoundarapandian, Nur Nadhirah Zakaria, Noor Azmi Shaharuddin, Khalilah Abdul Khalil, Nurul Aini Puasa, Alyza Azzura Azmi, Claudio Gomez-Fuentes, Azham Zulkharnain, Chiew Yen Wong, Muhammad Fahdli Rahman and Siti Aqlima Ahmad
Plants 2021, 10(11), 2468; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/plants10112468 - 16 Nov 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 6436
Abstract
Oil spill incidents are hazardous and have prolonged damage to the marine environment. Management and spill clean-up procedures are practical and rapid, with several shortcomings. Coco peat (CP) and coco fibre (CF) are refined from coconut waste, and their abundance makes them desirable [...] Read more.
Oil spill incidents are hazardous and have prolonged damage to the marine environment. Management and spill clean-up procedures are practical and rapid, with several shortcomings. Coco peat (CP) and coco fibre (CF) are refined from coconut waste, and their abundance makes them desirable for diesel spillage treatment. Using a filter-based system, the selectivity of coco peat sorbent was tested using CP, CF and peat-fibre mix (CPM). CP exhibited maximal diesel sorption capacity with minimal seawater uptake, thus being selected for further optimisation analysis. The heat treatment considerably improved the sorption capacity and efficiency of diesel absorbed by CP, as supported by FTIR and VPSEM–EDX analysis. Conventional one-factor-at-a-time (OFAT) examined the performance of diesel sorption by CP under varying parameters, namely temperature, time of heating, packing density and diesel concentration. The significant factors were statistically evaluated using response surface methodology (RSM) via Plackett–Burman design (PB) and central composite design (CCD). Three significant (p < 0.05) factors (time, packing density and diesel concentration) were identified by PB and further analysed for interactions among the parameters. CCD predicted efficiency of diesel absorbed at 59.92% (71.90 mL) (initial diesel concentration of 30% v/v) and the experimental model validated the design with 59.17% (71.00 mL) diesel sorbed at the optimised conditions of 14.1 min of heating (200 °C) with packing density of 0.08 g/cm3 and 30% (v/v) of diesel concentration. The performance of CP in RSM (59.17%) was better than that in OFAT (58.33%). The discoveries imply that natural sorbent materials such as CP in oil spill clean-up operations can be advantageous and environmentally feasible. This study also demonstrated the diesel-filter system as a pilot study for the prospective up-scale application of oil spills. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Potential of Plants to Absorb Xenobiotics)
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13 pages, 2736 KiB  
Article
Mobile Biomonitoring of Atmospheric Pollution: A New Perspective for the Moss-Bag Approach
by Maria Cristina Sorrentino, Fiore Capozzi, Karen Wuyts, Steven Joosen, Valentine K. Mubiana, Simonetta Giordano, Roeland Samson and Valeria Spagnuolo
Plants 2021, 10(11), 2384; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/plants10112384 - 05 Nov 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 1707
Abstract
In this work the potential of moving moss-bags, fixed to bicycles, to intercept particulate matter (PM) and linked metal(loid)s was tested for the first time. Seven volunteers carried three moss-bags for fifty days while commuting by bicycle in the urban area of Antwerp, [...] Read more.
In this work the potential of moving moss-bags, fixed to bicycles, to intercept particulate matter (PM) and linked metal(loid)s was tested for the first time. Seven volunteers carried three moss-bags for fifty days while commuting by bicycle in the urban area of Antwerp, Belgium. Moreover, one bike, equipped with mobile PM samplers, travelled along four routes: urban, industrial, green route and the total path, carrying three moss-bags at each route. The saturation isothermal remanent magnetization (SIRM) signal and chemical composition (assessed by HR-ICP-MS) of the moss samples indicated that the industrial route was the most polluted. Element fluxes (i.e., the ratio between element daily uptake and the specific leaf area) could discriminate among land uses; particularly, they were significantly higher in the industrial route for Ag, As, Cd and Pb; significantly lowest in the green route for As and Pb; and comparable for all accumulated elements along most urban routes. A comparison with a previous experiment carried out in the same study area using similar moss-bags at static exposure points, showed that the element fluxes were significantly higher in the mobile system. Finally, PM2.5 and PM10 masses measured along the four routes were consistent with element fluxes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Potential of Plants to Absorb Xenobiotics)
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15 pages, 2111 KiB  
Article
Fractionation and Distribution of Rare Earth Elements in Marine Sediment and Bioavailability in Avicennia marina in Central Red Sea Mangrove Ecosystems
by Abdullahi Bala Alhassan and Mohammed Othman Aljahdali
Plants 2021, 10(6), 1233; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/plants10061233 - 17 Jun 2021
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2404
Abstract
Rare earth element fractionation and distribution in the coastal ecosystem have been of significant concern and are recognized worldwide as emerging micro-pollutants. However, unlike other metals such as trace elements, little is known about their uptake by aquatic plants such as the mangrove [...] Read more.
Rare earth element fractionation and distribution in the coastal ecosystem have been of significant concern and are recognized worldwide as emerging micro-pollutants. However, unlike other metals such as trace elements, little is known about their uptake by aquatic plants such as the mangrove Avicennia marina, especially in the central Red Sea. We investigated the fractionation of rare earth elements in six mangrove ecosystems in the central Red Sea and bioavailability in mangrove A. marina. The concentrations of rare earth elements, sediment grain sizes, multi-elemental ratios, geo-accumulation index (Igeo) and bioconcentration factor (BCF) vary significantly (p < 0.05) across the six mangrove ecosystems. Higher concentrations of rare earth elements were recorded at Al Lith (LT) (101.53 mg/kg) and South Jeddah (SJ) (73.38 mg/kg) mangrove ecosystems. However, multi-elemental ratio R(M/L) reveals positive values. In contrast, multi-elemental ratio R(H/M) reveals negative values corresponding to fractionation patterns enriched with medium rare earth elements and heavy rare earth elements depletion across the six mangrove ecosystems. BCF values for rare earth elements were <1, but Lutetium (0.32) had the highest BCF among the rare earth elements, suggesting an efficient accumulation of Lutetium than any other rare earth elements. The scale of Igeo revealed strong contamination (4 ≤ Igeo ≥ 5) of sediment with Lanthanum, Cerium, Praseodynium, Samarium, Godolinium, Holmium, Erbium, Ytterbium, and moderate contamination with Thulium, Terbium, and Dysprosium (1 ≤ Igeo ≤ 3). Principal component analysis showed that clay silt sediment grain size influences rare earth element concentrations in the central Red Sea. Our results provide new evidence for rare earth element fractionation and accumulation in sediment and the potential use of mangrove A. marina for rare earth element monitoring in mangrove ecosystems in the central Red Sea. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Potential of Plants to Absorb Xenobiotics)
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16 pages, 1981 KiB  
Article
Acetaminophen Induces an Antioxidative Response in Lettuce Plants
by Inês Leitão, Luisa L. Martins, Luisa Carvalho, M. Conceição Oliveira, M. Matilde Marques and Miguel P. Mourato
Plants 2021, 10(6), 1152; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/plants10061152 - 06 Jun 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3008
Abstract
Contaminants of environmental concern, like pharmaceuticals, are being detected in increasing amounts in soils and irrigation waters and can thus be taken up by plants. In this work, the uptake of acetaminophen (ACT) by lettuce plants was evaluated through a hydroponic experiment at [...] Read more.
Contaminants of environmental concern, like pharmaceuticals, are being detected in increasing amounts in soils and irrigation waters and can thus be taken up by plants. In this work, the uptake of acetaminophen (ACT) by lettuce plants was evaluated through a hydroponic experiment at different concentrations (0, 0.1, 1 and 5 mg L−1 ACT). The pathways related to oxidative stress induced by ACT were studied in lettuce leaves and roots at 1, 8 and 15 days after exposure. Stress indicators such as hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents were analyzed, revealing increases in plants contaminated with ACT in comparison to control, confirming the occurrence of oxidative stress, with the exception of MDA in leaves. The enzymatic activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase, guaiacol peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase and glutathione peroxidase, directly involved in the antioxidative system, showed significant differences when compared to control plants, and, depending on the enzyme and the tissue, different trends were observed. Glutathione reductase revealed a decrease in contaminated leaves, which may imply a specific impact of ACT in the glutathione cycle. Significant increases were found in the anthocyanin content of leaves, both with exposure time and ACT concentration, indicating an antioxidative response induced by ACT contamination. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Potential of Plants to Absorb Xenobiotics)
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10 pages, 237 KiB  
Article
The Influence of Manganese on Growth Processes of Hordeum L. (Poaceae) Seedlings
by Kirill Tkachenko, Irina Kosareva and Marina Frontasyeva
Plants 2021, 10(5), 1009; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/plants10051009 - 19 May 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2219
Abstract
Manganese, as one of the xenobionts, belongs to the group of heavy metals, which, in high concentrations, can negatively affect the development of plants. In small concentrations, it is necessary for plants for normal growth and development. It is present in soils and [...] Read more.
Manganese, as one of the xenobionts, belongs to the group of heavy metals, which, in high concentrations, can negatively affect the development of plants. In small concentrations, it is necessary for plants for normal growth and development. It is present in soils and is available to plants to varying degrees. In acidic soils, it often acts as a toxic element, and plants do not develop well and can even die. Screening major crops for manganese tolerance is essential. Based on the analysis of the collection of barley (Hordeum L., Poaceae), the N.I. Vavilov All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources (VIR) presented data that manganese-tolerant varieties and samples are concentrated in western and northern countries with a wide distribution of soils with low pH levels and high contents of mobile manganese. It follows from the diagnostic results that the maximum number of barley genotypes resistant to manganese is concentrated in Sweden, Finland, the northwestern and northern regions of the CIS countries, and the Russian Federation. In most cases, the samples tolerant to Al showed resistance to Mn as well, which is of great interest for further study of the mechanisms of plant resistance to these stressors. As a rule, samples from the northern territories—zones of distribution of acidic soils—were highly resistant. In this case, the role of the species belonging to the sample was leveled out. The highlighted areas (Scandinavia (Finland, Sweden), northern and northwestern regions of Russia, Belarus, and the Baltic countries) are sources of germplasm valuable for selection for acid resistance of barley. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Potential of Plants to Absorb Xenobiotics)
12 pages, 1348 KiB  
Article
Accumulation of Potentially Toxic Elements in Mosses Collected in the Republic of Moldova
by Inga Zinicovscaia, Constantin Hramco, Omari Chaligava, Nikita Yushin, Dmitrii Grozdov, Konstantin Vergel and Gheorghe Duca
Plants 2021, 10(3), 471; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/plants10030471 - 02 Mar 2021
Cited by 21 | Viewed by 2296
Abstract
For the second time, the moss biomonitoring technique was applied to evaluate the deposition of potentially toxic elements in the Republic of Moldova. The study was performed in the framework of the International Cooperative Program on Effects of Air Pollution on Natural Vegetation [...] Read more.
For the second time, the moss biomonitoring technique was applied to evaluate the deposition of potentially toxic elements in the Republic of Moldova. The study was performed in the framework of the International Cooperative Program on Effects of Air Pollution on Natural Vegetation and Crops. Moss Hypnum cupressiforme Hedw. samples were collected in May 2020 from 41 sampling sites distributed over the entire territory of the country. The mass fractions of 35 elements (Na, Mg, Al, Cl, K, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Br, Se, Rb, Sr, Sb, Cs, Ba, Cd, La, Ce, Sm, Eu, Tb, Hf, Ta, Th, Pb, and U) were determined using neutron activation analysis and atomic absorption spectrometry. Comparing with 2015/2016 moss survey data, significant differences in the mass fractions of Cr, As, Se, Br, Sr, Sb, Cd, Pb, and Cu were found. Main air pollution sources (natural processes, transport, industry, agriculture, mining) were identified and characterized using factor and correlation analyses. GIS maps were built to point out the zones with the highest element mass fractions and to relate this to the known sources of contamination. Contamination factor, geo-accumulation index, pollution load index, and potential ecological risk index were calculated to assess the air pollution levels in the country. According to the calculated values, Moldova can be characterized as unpolluted to moderately polluted, with low potential ecological risk related to the degree of atmospheric deposition of potentially toxic elements. The cities of Chisinau and Balti were determined to experience particular environmental stress and are considered moderately polluted. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Potential of Plants to Absorb Xenobiotics)
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