Abstract
Heavy metals in contaminated sites can affect plant responses to emerging contaminates such as engineered silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. After 4-day exposure to 0–2.5 mg Cu L−1 hydroponically, Cu concentrations in roots of wheat seedlings (Triticum aestivum L.) increased from 20 ± 3 to 325 ± 58 mg kg−1. Meanwhile, the cell death in root tips, as measured by the uptake of Evans blue stain, increased 1.8–2.8 times in response to Cu exposure. Total thiol contents in roots (including glutathione, cysteine and phytochelatins), as measured by high performance liquid chromatography, increased 1.4 times upon low Cu exposure but decreased 2.2 times upon high Cu exposure. After those wheats were exposed to 10 mg L−1 AgNPs for 8 h, the Ag influx rates decreased 1.3–3.9 times in Cu pre-exposed plants. Together, the cell death in root tips and thiol levels in roots could explain the decreased Ag influx rates of Cu pre-exposed plants. These findings indicate that the bioavailability of AgNPs without consideration of pre-existing metals could be over-estimated.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
