Abstract
A vulnerable point of the currently used approach to the search for the new species capable of abnormal accumulation (hyperaccumulation) of trace elements is that most studies have been conducted in laboratory conditions and focused on the determination of a limited number of elements. We propose a methodology that enables screening for multi-element accumulating plants. This methodology is based on two analytical steps: a semiquantitative analysis mode by ICP-MS that allows selection of plant samples which are enriched in one or more trace elements, and a quantitative analysis necessary for confirmation of the results derived from the first step. The proposed methodology was tested in the study of 30 plant samples. Ten elements with the highest concentrations obtained in the semiquantitative analyses were determined quantitatively with the following detection limits (in mg/kg): 0.001 for Ag, 0.08 for Ba, 0.002 for Cd, 0.005 for Co, 0.01 for Cr, 0.003 for Cu, 1.4 for Fe, 0.012 for Mn, 0.03 for Ni, 0.006 for Pb, 0.001 for Sc, 0.001 for Tl and 0.06 for Zn. The CRM recovery values obtained were in the range of 80–103 %, and the precision of the measurements (as RSD) was in the range of 0.34–4.05 %. We also propose a simple method for evaluation of typical element concentrations in plants collected for analyses. Our approach provides a novel screening method for both identification of new hyperaccumulators and for studying a larger number of elements accumulated by plants. This method may find its application in environmental biotechnology.
Highlights
IntroductionPlants that are capable of accumulating abnormally high concentrations of trace elements (hyperaccumulators) have been recognized and extensively studied since 1970s
Plants that are capable of accumulating abnormally high concentrations of trace elements have been recognized and extensively studied since 1970s
We propose a methodology that enables screening for multi-element accumulating plants. This methodology is based on two analytical steps: a semiquantitative analysis mode by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) that allows selection of plant samples which are enriched in one or more trace elements, and a quantitative analysis necessary for confirmation of the results derived from the first step
Summary
Plants that are capable of accumulating abnormally high concentrations of trace elements (hyperaccumulators) have been recognized and extensively studied since 1970s. 500 taxa have been reported as hyperaccumulators with almost 90 % of known species being endemic to metalliferous soils, such as serpentine soils (Van der Ent et al 2013). Laboratory experiments based on hydroponic cultures (Tu and Ma 2003; Baldwin and Butcher 2007; Adamidis et al 2014) and metal-amended soils (Dahmani-Muller et al 2001) conducted by many researchers in order to find new hyperaccumulators have been criticized as unrealistic (Baker and Whiting 2002; Van der Ent et al 2013). Comparison of plant responses to metals growing in hydroponics and on natural soil shows that there is a difference in the uptake, accumulation and metabolism of metals (Zabłudowska et al 2009)
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