Abstract
Plants, in particular seagrasses, that grow in contaminated areas can uptake and accumulate Potential Toxic Elements (PTEs) in their tissues. This accumulation in turn can produce several effects on plant morphology and health status. This study, carried out on seagrass ( Halophila stipulacea ) growing on the phosphate mine dump sediments in southeast Jordan, highlights the possible leaf damages at anatomical and cytological levels. The micro-morphological observations demonstrated that the damage caused by PTEs was easily found throughout the leaf, showing massive change in the overall organization of cells, both in the epidermis and the mesophyll and vascular bundles. This probably caused the blockage of liquids and nutrients, leading to necrosis of the leaf in comparison to the control. Moreover, seagrass samples collected from phosphate port area showed a swelling in the outer epidermal wall, and in some cases a collapse in parenchyma was observed. In addition, collapse in the epidermis, chloroplasts degradation, and necrosis of some cells was detected. The observed morphological change seems to be correlated to contamination levels in the sediments.
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