Abstract
Heavy metals constitute some of the most significant environmental contaminants today. The abundance of naturally growing Tetraena qataranse around Ras Laffan oil and gas facilities in the state of Qatar reflects its toxitolerant character. This study examined the desert plant’s tolerance to Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni and Pb relative to soil concentration. Analysis by inductively coupled plasma – optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) showed that the plant biomass accumulates higher Cd, Cr, Cu and Ni concentration than the soil, particularly in the root. The bioconcentration factor (BCF) of all metals in the root and shoot indicates the plant’s capacity to accumulate these metals. Cd had a translocation factor (TF) greater than one; however, it is less than one for all other metals, suggesting that the plant remediate Cd by phytoextraction, where it accumulates in the shoot and Cr, Cu and Ni through phytostabilization, concentrating the metals in the root. Metals phytostabilization restrict transport, shield animals from toxic species ingestion, and consequently prevent transmission across the food chain. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis further corroborates ICP-OES quantitative data. Our results suggest that T. qataranse is tolerant of Cd, Cr, Cu, and Ni. Potentially, these metals can accumulate at higher concentration than shown here; hence, T. qataranse is a suitable candidate for toxic metals phytostabilization.
Highlights
Heavy metals are some of the most significant environmental contaminants; this is in large part due to anthropogenic activities arising from industrialization[1]
These functional groups correspond to specific infrared light frequencies[10] and their interactions with these metals can be analyzed by Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR)
As for the control site, pH level stood at pH of 8.31 ± 0.36, an electrical conductivity of 4.63 ± 0.61 mS/m and 0.57 ± 0.01% total organic carbon (TOC)
Summary
Heavy metals are some of the most significant environmental contaminants; this is in large part due to anthropogenic activities arising from industrialization[1]. Many studies suggest that the accumulation of heavy metals in plant tissues could lead to the inhibition of the plant’s significant enzymatic activity resulting in a wide range of adverse effects on germinability, seedlings development, and photosynthetic processes[5]. As a result; some plants have developed mechanisms to counteract the effects of this stress condition One of these mechanisms is the increased activity of specific antioxidant enzymes, such as peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD)[6]. TF value determines plant efficiency in heavy metals translocation from the root to the shoot. Present in the plant are macromolecules, including carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids that bear distinct functional groups that interact with transition metals These functional groups correspond to specific infrared light frequencies[10] and their interactions with these metals can be analyzed by Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). FTIR data can be used to quantitatively determine the heavy metal presence in plant tissues via metal cation binding in plant samples[11]
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