Phytoextraction of Cd by Atriplex nummularia L., a xero-halophyte species

Abstract

This work is in the perspective to test if the species halo-xerophyte Atriplex nummularia L. which is a perennial shrub type C4 metabolism present in addition to its water resistance capacity and salt stress, a resistance metal stress. Atriplex nummularia plants were exposed to a mixture of cadmium (20 microM) and a range of increasing concentrations of NaCl [0; 34.2 mm (2 g / l) and 102.6 mm (6 g / l)]. After the analysis of physiological parameters such as dry matter and the amount of total chlorophylls, it has interested to become of the metal in the plant. Again, it has determined the amount of cadmium accumulated in the different organs of the plant and the amount excreted by the leaves. The results obtained show that Atriplex nummularia plant salt tolerance can also accumulated the cadmium. While the cadmium content of roots does not vary regardless of amount of NaCl present in the medium, these of leaves increases with the addition of salt and proportionally to the amount of NaCl in the medium. Cadmium excretion by excretory glands present in these leaves was observed and quantified. This characterization of the properties of completely original Atriplex nummularia vis-a-vis cadmium allows to be considered this xero-halophytic plant as a new potential candidate for the use in phytoremediation strategies of soil contaminated with heavy metals and more precisely phytoextraction.