Accumulation of heavy metals and antioxidant responses in Vicia faba plants grown on monometallic contaminated soil

Aleksandra Nadgórska-Socha,Alina Kafel,Marta Kandziora-Ciupa,Janina Gospodarek,Agnieszka Zawisza-Raszka

doi:10.1007/s11356-012-1191-7

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of soil contamination by selected metals (cadmium, copper, nickel, lead or zinc) on the antioxidant response of Vicia faba plants. The levels of the antioxidants: glutathione, proline, non-protein thiols, as well as guaiacol peroxidase and catalase activities were measured in the upperparts of plants. Additionally, the potential bioavailability of metals in the soil and their concentrations in V. faba plants were compared. Treatment with metal caused the problem of an elevation in its bioavailability in soil and its concentration in leaves and stems. The most serious problems seemed to be metal elevations in soil, especially Zn and Ni as well as in the aerial parts of V. faba plants. The antioxidant responses appeared to be metal specific. The elevation of guaiacol peroxidase activity in leaves and stems as well as the proline in leaves was the only more general reaction to metal exposure. Upon analysis of the effects of soil metal contamination on V. faba plants, we recommend the use of some measurements such as guaiacol peroxidase activity and proline level as useful tools in biological monitoring.

Highlights

There are multiple sources of soil contamination with heavy metals such as industrial wastes, agriculture fertilizers and roadways
The problem of soil contamination may be of great importance for crops grown in the vicinity of heavy industrial sites
The bioavailable fraction of heavy metals is an issue of particular concern from ecological, toxicological and health standpoints, due to the possible penetration into most environmental segments, including food chains (Kucharski et al 2005)

Summary

Introduction

There are multiple sources of soil contamination with heavy metals such as industrial wastes, agriculture fertilizers and roadways. The problem of soil contamination may be of great importance for crops grown in the vicinity of heavy industrial sites. In such surroundings, the uptake of metals depends on the bioavailability of metals (Teklić et al 2008). The bioavailable fraction of heavy metals is an issue of particular concern from ecological, toxicological and health standpoints, due to the possible penetration into most environmental segments, including food chains (Kucharski et al 2005). Heavy metals like cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn) may affect the status of plants differently. The requirement of plants for Ni appears to be mainly related to its role in forming the active metallocentre of urease (Gratão et al 2005; Page and Feller 2005)

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