Abstract
Phytoremediation offers an environmental friendly alternative to conventional cleanup techniques. In this study, mycorrhizal fungi isolated from the roots of Mentha longifolia grown in the basin of the Centuria River (S Poland) were used. Iris pseudacorus was grown in substratum from an industrial waste, enriched in Pb, Fe, Zn, and Cd in a terrestrial and water-logged habitat. Plant yield and photosynthetic performance was the highest in the aquatic environment; however, the presence of toxic metals (TM) negatively affected photosystem II (PSII) photochemistry as shown by the JIP test. Fungi colonization and Cd accumulation within plant tissues was decreased. In the terrestrial habitat, neither arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) nor metal toxicity affected plant growth, although metal uptake, Cd in particular, as well as photosynthesis were affected. Inoculated plants accumulated significantly more Cd, and photosynthesis was downregulated. The results presented in this study clearly indicate that the I. pseudacorus-AMF symbiosis adapts itself to the presence of toxic metals in the environment, optimizing resource supply, energy fluxes, and possibly stress tolerance mechanisms. Plant/AMF consortia grown in terrestrial and water-logged habitats utilize different strategies to cope with metal toxicity. The use of AMF in improving the phytoremediation potential of I. pseudacorus needs, however, further research.
Highlights
Constructed wetlands offer a cost-effective, environmental friendly alternative to conventional cleanup techniques to treat domestic and industrial wastewater (Kivaisi 2001)
The aim of this study was (i) to explore the potential of arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AMF) in re-cultivating temporarily flooded post-industrial wastes; (ii) to estimate the impact of AMF on toxic metal uptake depending on the water conditions; (iii) to evaluate the vitality of plants depending on presence/absence of AMF and heavy metals; (iv) to gain more insight on the biology of AMF in aquatic and water-logged habitats
We investigated the biology of the plant/ AMF symbiosis in I. pseudacorus and its potential role in alleviating metal-induced stress in plants under different water regimens
Summary
Constructed wetlands offer a cost-effective, environmental friendly alternative to conventional cleanup techniques to treat domestic and industrial wastewater (Kivaisi 2001). The role of arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AMF) in improving plant fitness and remediation techniques has not been tested in aquatic or waterlogged habitats, even though their utility in re-cultivating terrestrial environments has been shown previously (Turnau and Haselwandter 2002; Turnau et al 2005; Turnau et al 2006; Turnau et al 2012). In such cases, mycorrhiza has been shown to improve plant growth, rooting, to attenuate drought and Environ Sci Pollut Res (2015) 22:19400–19407 toxic metal stress, improve stability of the substratum, and decrease wind and water erosion
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