High Concentrations Of Cadmium Research Articles

BrpNAC895 and BrpABI449 coregulate the transcription of the afflux-type Cd transporter BrpHMA2 in Brassica parachinensis.

Brassica parachinensis is a popular leafy vegetable. It is able to accumulate high concentrations of cadmium (Cd), but the molecular mechanism of Cd accumulation is unknown. This study investigated the function and regulatory mechanism of the Cd-responsive metal ion transporter gene BrpHMA2. BrpHMA2 was induced by Cd stress and specifically expressed in vascular tissues, and the protein was localized in the plasma membrane. Heterologous expression of BrpHMA2 enhanced Cd accumulation and Cd sensitivity in transgenic Arabidopsis and yeast. After Cd stress, the transcription factors BrpNAC895 and BrpABI449, which may recognize the abscisic acid-responsive elements in the BrpHMA2 promoter, were also differentially expressed. The transcriptional regulation of BrpHMA2 was further investigated using the chromatin immunoprecipitation–quantitative PCR (ChIP–qPCR) assay, the electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), and luciferase (LUC) reporter activity analysis employing the transient expression system of B. parachinensis protoplasts and tobacco leaves and the Escherichia coli expression system. By binding to the promoter, BrpNAC895 induced the transcription of BrpHMA2. BrpABI449 might bind to the BrpHMA2 promoter or interact with BrpNAC895 to interfere with the action of BrpNAC895. The findings suggest that BrpHMA2 is a membrane-based afflux-type Cd transporter involved in Cd2+ uptake and long-distance transport in plants. BrpNAC895 and BrpABI449, which function as the transcription activator and repressor, respectively, coregulate BrpHMA2 expression.

Mitigation of lead and Cadmium from vegetable crops through different biochemical adsorbent treatments at Sanganer industrial area, Jaipur

The most difficult challenge in the world is widespread access to good and healthful food. For the human diet, vegetables are considered as a crucial element and are regarded as natural nutritional reserves. Heavy metals are threatening dietary contaminants, and their consumption causes a variety of health problems. In urban and peri-urban regions people utilize wastewater, particularly sewage effluent, to irrigate agricultural fields because of the scarcity of fresh water. Nevertheless, there is growing worry about the possible health concerns linked with consuming tainted veggies. This scenario is especially concerning in vegetables cultivated in industrial locations, which have a high prevalence of heavy metal build-up. As a result, a research project was launched to determine the long duration impact of polluted water irrigation on concentrations of heavy metals (HMs) in soil and vegetable crops. In soil, vegetable and water samples, a high concentration of Lead and Cadmium was found. In this study, heavy metals were reduced in spinach and kale obtained from peri-urban locations by treating them with various biochemical adsorbent solutions. Using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS), the amount of heavy metals in soil, vegetable and water samples was evaluated. To find the most effective adsorption therapy for HM'smitigation, the data was statistically analysed. Treatment with several biochemical adsorbent solutions resulted in a considerable decrease in heavy metal concentration. Among various chemical adsorbents, 15% sodium carbonate proved maximum reduction potential and among various biological adsorbents, 15 % orange peel extract proved maximum reduction potential for HMseradication off vegetable sampling.

Preliminary Investigation of Soil and Sediments Using Magnetic Susceptibility Method in Kogi State, Nigeria

Over the years, there has been significant increase in population and urbanization in Kogi State as a result of rural - urban migration. This has become a major threat to soil sustainability which is a natural non-renewable resource. The aim of this research is to carry out magnetic susceptibility mapping on the surface and subsurface soil of Kogi State using environmental magnetism techniques and geochemical analysis. The susceptibility test on rock samples and background soil samples within the study area shows an average of about 112.0 × 10^-5 SI. The magnetic susceptibility measurement on soil from Kogi State shows magnetic susceptibility enhancement of about (450.0 - 700.0) × 10^-5 SI. These values were dominant along the major towns, road pavements and commercial areas at the surface to a depth of about 50.0 cm in soil profiles. The 2D spatial distribution of magnetic susceptibility with depth reveals that these magnetic grains are distributed in the subsurface as a result of anthropogenic loading. The frequency-dependence of magnetic susceptibility (χfd%) values are very low (2 - 10.0 %) in most of the areas on the surface soil. These values indicate that the magnetic properties are predominantly contributed by the coarse multi-domain (MD) and stable single-domain (SSD) grains of anthropogenic origin. Atomic Absorbtion Spectrometer (AAS) analysis of these soil samples indicates the presence of Lead (300.0 - 900.0) mg/l and Cadmium (20.0 - 60.0) mg/l in large concentration at the surface soil in most part of the Kogi State. While Chromium show relatively low concentration on the surface soil. From the statistical correlation analysis, Lead and Cadmium show high positive correlation with magnetic susceptibility. These results suggests that the high enhancement of magnetic susceptibility on the surface and sub-surface soil in most part of Kogi State arise from anthropogenic activities rather than lithological and pedogenic processes and most likely cause by high concentration of Lead and Cadmium.

أثر مناطق إنتاج العسل المحلي في محتواه من بعض المعادن الثقيلة

This study was conducted to estimate some heavy metals cadmium, lead, nickel and iron in 15 samples of Iraqi honey with 3 replicates for each sample which were collected from apiaries near potential contamination areas in five Iraqi governorates, including Baghdad, Karbala, Babylon, Diyala and Salah al-Din. The atomic absorption technique was used to estimate the concentrations of heavy metals, the results showed that there were significant differences at (P≤0.05) between the concentrations of these elements in the honey samples, the highest concentrations of cadmium 0.123 mg/kg were recorded in Baghdad, near the petrochemical production complex, lead 4.657 mg/kg and nickel 0.023 mg/kg in Babylon near the power plant, iron was 1.863 mg/kg in Karbala near the waste collection and incineration plant, and all the concentrations of cadmium and lead in the studied honey samples were higher than the acceptable limits set by the European Commission Regulation.

أثر مناطق إنتاج العسل المحلي في محتواه من بعض المعادن الثقيلة

ABSTRACT This study was conducted to estimate some heavy metals cadmium, lead, nickel and iron in 15 samples of Iraqi honey with 3 replicates for each sample which were collected from apiaries near potential contamination areas in five Iraqi governorates, including Baghdad, Karbala, Babylon, Diyala and Salah al-Din. The atomic absorption technique was used to estimate the concentrations of heavy metals, the results showed that there were significant differences at (P≤0.05) between the concentrations of these elements in the honey samples, the highest concentrations of cadmium 0.123 mg/kg were recorded in Baghdad, near the petrochemical production complex, lead 4.657 mg/kg and nickel 0.023 mg/kg in Babylon near the power plant, iron was 1.863 mg/kg in Karbala near the waste collection and incineration plant, and all the concentrations of cadmium and lead in the studied honey samples were higher than the acceptable limits set by the European Commission Regulation.

Cadmium Removal from Giant Squid (Dosidicus gigas) Hydrolysate in Fixed-Bed Columns Packed with Iminodiacetic Resin: Tools for Scaling up the Process.

Giant squid hydrolysate (GSH) elaborated from different batches from a fishing company was evaluated for cadmium removal. Fixed-bed column packed with iminodiacetic resin as adsorbent was used. GSH solution at different cadmium concentrations were fed in the fixed-bed column and breakthrough curves were evaluated. A high degree of metal removal from the solution was achieved and the saturation point (Ce/C0 ≤ 0.8) was achieved more quickly at higher concentrations of cadmium. The maximum capacity of adsorption (q0) was obtained using the Thomas model, where 1137.4, 860.4, 557.4, and 203.1 mg g−1 were achieved using GSH with concentrations of 48.37, 20.97, 12.13, and 3.26 mg L−1, respectively. Five cycles of desorption of the resin with HCl (1 M) backflow and regeneration with NaOH (0.5 M) were also evaluated, where no significant differences (p-value > 0.05) were observed between each cycle, with an average of 935.9 mg g−1 of qmax. The in-series columns evaluated reached a total efficiency of 90% on average after the third column in GSH with a cadmium concentration of 20.97 mg L−1. This kind of configuration should be considered the best alternative for cadmium removal from GSH. Additionally, the chemical composition of GSH, which was considered a quality parameter, was not affected by cadmium adsorption.

Agroecological assessment of changes in cadmium content in spring barley plants under the influence of selenium and silicon

A large amount of agricultural land is located in close proximity to the metropolitan areas, it means near industrial enterprises and highways which giving rise the inevitable soil pollution by heavy metals, the most toxic of them are cadmium, mercury and lead. The plant products harvested from such areas are most frequently contains heavy metals which make them unsuitable for human or animal consumption. Studies have shown that pre-sowing treatment of spring barley seeds by selenium and silicon allows to mitigate the negative impact of abiotic stresses on plant growth and development, deliver the crop yield level, laid down by crop biology under these conditions - 3,7-3,9 t/ha. Moreover, this agricultural method reduces the level of cadmium accumulation in the finished products (grain) on 11-12% when growing of spring barley on soils with high concentration of cadmium.

Formation and characterization of acid mine drainage in the Madzharovo ore field, Southeastern Bulgaria

The formation of acid mine drainage (AMD) is a serious environmental problem in areas with mining and processing industries worldwide. Their generation is associated with chemical and biological processes of oxidation of sulfide minerals, mainly pyrite. Sources of AMD can be deposits of sulfide minerals and coal with a high content of pyrite sulfur, mining waste and some tailings. The impact of AMD on surface and groundwater in mining areas continues for decades after the cessation of extraction. An example of the negative impact of generated acid mine drainage on the state of surface waters is in the region of Madzharovo. Years after the cessation of mining, the waters at the discharge points "Momina Skala", "Harman Kaya" and "Pandak Dere" are characterized by low pH values and high concentrations of iron, copper, zinc, cadmium, lead and manganese.

Geochemistry of zinc and cadmium in coal waste rock, Elk Valley, British Columbia, Canada

Weathering of mine waste rock can result in high concentrations of zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd) in surface and ground water. Design and implementation of mitigation measures requires an understanding of the mineralogical occurrence of Zn and Cd within the waste rock as well as the subsequent weathering and leaching processes. Recent geochemical studies have focused on the characterization of selenium and arsenic leaching from sphalerite and pyrite in waste rock from coal mines in the Elk Valley, British Columbia, Canada. Data collected from these studies provide an opportunity to evaluate the distribution and behavior of Zn and Cd. The abundance and mineralogical association of Zn and Cd were determined in waste rock placed at different times in the dump and leaching of Zn and Cd at the dump-scale was estimated by analyzing porewater and effluent water samples in a rock drain. Mean contents of Zn and Cd in the waste rock samples (n = 260) were 152 mg/kg (range: 48.4–591 mg/kg) and 3.02 mg/kg (range: 0.97–7.56 mg/kg), respectively. Electron microprobe analysis showed Zn and Cd are present in rock samples as primary sphalerite and sorbed onto secondary Fe oxides. The mean concentrations of Zn and Cd in porewater in the dump (n = 121) were 231 μg/L (range: 4.27–1046 μg/L) and 0.61 μg/L (range: <0.01–6.85 μg/L), respectively. The sorption onto secondary Fe oxides is identified as the sink for aqueous Zn and Cd in the dump. Under the oxidizing conditions that exist throughout much of the dump, Fe oxides will likely be a long-term sink for aqueous Zn and Cd. Mean concentrations of Zn and Cd in the rock drain water were 56.4 μg/L (range: 1.2–523 μg/L, n = 213) and 1.53 μg/L (range: 0.004–3.92 μg/L, n = 209), respectively. As such, these low concentrations are attributed to dilution by drain waters sourced upstream of the dump and sorption of Zn and Cd onto secondary Fe oxides and calcite precipitated in the drain within 200 m after discharge from the dump. The relative increase of Cd concentration in rock drain water compared to porewater can be because of its lower affinity for the sorption onto secondary Fe oxides and calcite. This study suggests that the mobility of Zn and Cd from the weathering of any low sulfide – high carbonate waste rocks will be limited because the precipitation of secondary Fe oxides and calcite provide a strong internal geochemical control on Zn and Cd mobilization.

Fertilization and soil pH affect seed and biomass yield, plant morphology, and cadmium uptake in hemp (Cannabis sativa L.)

The phytoremediation potential of industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) becomes a new target of hemp cultivation. The ability to accumulate cadmium depends on genetic, anatomical and physiological characteristics of the varieties. The published data show that the level of fertilization affects many metabolic pathways, the development of plants and cannabinoid concentration. In addition, there are inconsistent data on the cadmium accumulation capacity depending on the mineral nutrition and pH. A study was carried out to assess the potential of two hemp varieties (‘Henola’ and ‘Białobrzeskie’) as a decontaminator of cadmium, depending on soil pH and phosphorous fertilizer level. The influence of pH, fertilization and cadmium concentration in the soil on plant morphology and on the yield of seeds and biomass were also assessed. The soil with two different pH was used in the experiment: acidic (pH 4) and alkaline (pH 7.5). Two concentrations of aqueous solution of cadmium nitrate (Cd(NO3)2) were added to the soil to obtain final concentration of Cd: 4 mg/kg and 8 mg/kg of soil, respectively. The phosphorous fertilizer was supplied in the amounts of: 50 kg/ha, 100 kg/ha, 150 kg/ha. The cadmium content in soil and in hemp plants was determined with a flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry and a plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), respectively. Based on two years of experiments, the highest cadmium concentration in seeds and biomass, were revealed for Henola variety, when fertilizer was applied in the amount of 150 kg/ha. The results revealed that the fertilization ant pH level are important factors in the cultivation of hemp. They affect the intensity of cadmium uptake from the soil. Higher soil pH was correlated with the highest concentration of Cd in seeds and straw of Białobrzeskie variety. Such a relationship has not been demonstrated in the case of the Henola variety. The highest BCF (bioconcentration factor) value was calculated for Cd uptake in ‘Henola’ biomass. Increased cadmium concentration in the soil did not adversely affect development and growth of two hemp varieties studied. The phytoremediation potential of individual hemp varieties is different. Higher pH increases the cadmium uptake by some hemp varieties, but in the case of other varieties this relationship is reversed. It is necessary to assess the phytoremediation potential of each hemp cultivar in different agrotechnical conditions.

Heavy metal concentrations in rivers and drinking water of Esmeraldas (Ecuador) under an intermittent water supply service.

Universal access to safe water is a major global goal, but these efforts could be at stake because drinking water sources are becoming polluted in many developing countries. Chlorine, major ions, and heavy metals were measured in rivers and drinking water of Esmeraldas because potential pollution sources raise concerns about the quality of the water supply, and because users have developed strategies to cope with water shortages including collecting river water and water distributed by tankers, storing water at home, and consuming commercial bottled water. We sampled water from the water distribution system (WDS) and the Esmeraldas and Teaone rivers including the intake to the potabilization plant, water distributed by tankers, and commercial bottled water. Most of the samples collected from the Esmeraldas and Teaone rivers, the WDS, and tankers complied with drinking water standards, but higher concentration of cadmium and other metals in the eastern part of the city is an indication of corrosion inside the WDS. Commercial bottled and WDS water showed similar heavy metal concentrations, but regular consumption of some brands may lead to higher exposure to arsenic and mineral deficiencies. Chlorine concentrations in the water supplied by the WDS were below the values required for safe disinfection, and in-house chlorination is uncommon in the city. Strengthening pollution control in the Esmeraldas river, monitoring corrosion of the WDS, and promoting point-use chlorination and better water handling practices are required to secure a safer water supply in the long term.

Remediation of soil cadmium pollution by biomineralization using microbial-induced precipitation: a review.

In recent years, with industrial pollution and the application of agricultural fertilizers with high cadmium (Cd) content, soil Cd pollution has become increasingly serious. A large amount of Cd is discharged into the environment, greatly endangering the stability of the ecological environment and human health. The use of microorganisms to induce Cd precipitation and mineralization is an important bioremediation method. Itis highly efficient, has a low cost, enables environmental protection, and convenient to operate. This article summarizes the pollution status, pollution source, biological toxicity and existing forms of Cd, as well as the biomineralization mechanism of microbial induced Cd(II) precipitation, mainly including microbial-induced carbonate precipitation, microbial-induced phosphate precipitation and microbial-induced sulfide precipitation. Factors affecting the bioremediation of Cd, such as pH, coexisting ions, and temperature, are introduced. Finally, the key points and difficulties of future microbe-induced Cd(II) biomineralization research are highlighted, providing a scientific basis and theoretical guidance for the application of microbe-induced Cd(II) immobilization in soil.

Cadmium oral bioavailability is affected by calcium and phytate contents in food: Evidence from leafy vegetables in mice

To test high cadmium (Cd) concentration may not be high in health risk when considering Cd bioavailability, we assessed variation of Cd relative bioavailability (RBA, relative to CdCl2) using a mouse assay for 14 vegetables of water spinach, amaranth, and pakchoi. Cadmium concentration varied from 0.13 ± 0.01–0.37 ± 0.00 μg g–1 fw. Cadmium-RBA also varied significantly from 22.9 ± 2.12–77.2 ± 4.46%, however, the variation was overall opposite to that of Cd concentration, as indicated by a strong negative correlation between Cd-RBA and Cd concentration (R2 = 0.43). Based on both Cd concentration and bioavailability, the identified high-Cd pakchoi variety resulted in significantly lower Cd intake than the high-Cd varieties of water spinach and amaranth (4.74 ± 0.05 vs. 10.1 ± 0.54 and 8.03 ± 0.04 μg kg–1 bw week–1) due to significantly lower Cd-RBA (22.9 ± 2.12 vs. 77.2 ± 4.46 and 51.3 ± 2.93%). The lower Cd-RBA in pakchoi was due to its significantly higher Ca and lower phytate concentrations, which facilitated the role of Ca in inhibiting intestinal Cd absorption. This was ascertained by observation of decreased Cd-RBA (90.5 ± 12.0% to 63.5 ± 5.53%) for a water spinach when elevating its Ca concentration by 30% with foliar Ca application. Our results suggest that to assess food Cd risk, both total Cd and Cd bioavailability should be considered.

Short-term effects of cadmium on leaf growth and nutrient transport in rice plants

Consumption of rice grains contaminated with high concentrations of cadmium (Cd) can cause serious long-term health problems. Moreover, even low Cd concentrations present in the soil can result in the abatement of plant performance, leading to lower grain yield. Studies examining the molecular basis of plant defense against Cd-induced oxidative stress could pave the way in creating superior rice varieties that display an optimal antioxidative defense system to cope with Cd toxicity. In this study, we showed that after one day of Cd exposure, hydroponically grown rice plants exhibited adverse shoot biomass and leaf growth effects. Cadmium accumulates especially in the roots and the leaf meristematic region, leading to a disturbance of manganese homeostasis in both the roots and leaves. The leaf growth zone showed an increased amount of lipid peroxidation indicating that Cd exposure disturbed the oxidative balance. We propose that an increased expression of genes related to the glutathione metabolism such as glutathione synthetase 2, glutathione reductase and phytochelatin synthase 2, rather than genes encoding for antioxidant enzymes, is important in combating early Cd toxicity within the leaves of rice plants. Furthermore, the upregulation of two RESPIRATORY BURST OXIDASE HOMOLOG genes together with a Cd concentration-dependent increase of abscisic acid might cause stomatal closure or cell wall modification, potentially leading to the observed leaf growth reduction. Whereas abscisic acid was also elevated at long term exposure, a decrease of the growth hormone auxin might further contribute to growth inhibition and concomitantly, an increase in salicylic acid might stimulate the activity of antioxidative enzymes after a longer period of Cd exposure. In conclusion, a clear interplay between phytohormones and the oxidative challenge affect plant growth and acclimation during exposure to Cd stress.

Ecological and agrochemical features of chemical agents use on soils contaminated with cadmium and copper in the link of vegetable rotation

The article presents mobility coefficients of cadmium and copper, biological absorption coefficients of toxic metals by the main products of potatoes, beetroot and beans, depending on the chemicalization agents used on black soil with a typical heavy loamy granulometric composition. The introduction of lime, the combined application of lime and manure have a positive effect on reducing the coefficient of cadmium mobility. The high content of cadmium and copper in the soil does not have a negative effect on the synthesis of basic organic substances in vegetable products (starch, sugar, protein). The accumulation of nitrates in vegetable products occurs as a result of the mineral and organic fertilizers application; heavy metals do not have a significant effect on the accumulation of nitrate nitrogen during the cultivation of vegetable crops. The coefficient of biological absorption is influenced not only by lime, manure, mineral fertilizers, but also by the physiological characteristics of the crops themselves, which need toxic elements as micro and ultramicroelements for nutrition and synthesis of organic substances. The results of studies on crops of beetroot show that the application of lime, manure and the combined application of lime and manure reduce the intake of cadmium, copper, lead and zinc in root crops and tops of beetroot. A double dose of mineral fertilizers reduces the intake of copper and lead, but insignificantly, and does not have a positive effect on reducing the accumulation of cadmium and zinc. On soils contaminated with heavy metals (Cd, Cu), according to the value of biological absorption coefficient of the studied crops, heavy metals are distributed as follows: when growing potatoes - Cd> Cu; when cultivating table beet - Cu> Cd; when growing beans - Cu> Cd.

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY TO AVOID ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION IN THE AMAZON REGION OF LORETO, PERU

The Corporate Social Responsibility managed by the Petroperu Company as a policy is committed to good business practices: respect for the environment and basic human rights. However, in recent years, this has been viewed with an evil eye due to the number of hydrocarbon spills or mismanagement, such as pipeline maintenance, which on many occasions has caused these spills and the fines issued to the company. However, it is well known that the company blames the same communities for the spills, this being a big lie as seen in the results of all investigations carried out for each spill. The residents complain about the serious health problems and the environmental pollution produced by these hydrocarbon spills hindering the ecosystem recovery. Many residents are hired by the company to clean up spills without the necessary protection that further affects their health due to high concentrations of lead, cadmium, and arsenic in their bodies, not counting the contamination of rivers. This affects all the towns that are connected by the basins. For this reason, the following objective has been formulated: to identify how the corporate social Responsibility of the state company Petroperú avoids environmental pollution in the Amazon region of Loreto. The methodology was based on the bivariate descriptive level; the Likert scale questionnaire was applied as the research instrument covering 50 people from the Nuevo Progresso indigenous community. The alternative hypothesis (H1) was accepted based on the results obtained by the statistical diagrams in the SPSS.

Effects of cadmium on antioxidant and non-specific immunity of Macrobrachium nipponense

As a non-essential and toxic element, cadmium poses an important threat to aquatic organisms and human food safety. In this study, the effects of cadmium on antioxidant and non-specific immunity of Macrobrachium nipponense were studied from the physiological and biochemical indexes, histology and expression of related genes. These results showed that low concentrations (0.01, 0.02 mg/L) of cadmium have a positive effect on the non-specific immunity of M. nipponense, but high concentration (0.04 mg/L) of cadmium could inhibit or even damage the non-specific immunity of M. nipponense. The cadmium could induce oxidative stress in M. nipponense, and M. nipponense actived the antioxidant defense system to deal with oxidative stress, but high concentration (0.04 mg/L) of cadmium could inhibit the antioxidant defense system of M. nipponense, leading to oxidative damage, and may induce apoptosis in severe case. At the same time, the results of histology showed that cadmium can damage the structure of gill and hepatopancreas tissues of M. nipponense. This study provides theoretical data for evaluating the influences of heavy metal cadmium on M. nipponense and the toxic mechanism of heavy metal cadmium.

Supplemental Effects of Biochar and Foliar Application of Ascorbic Acid on Physio-Biochemical Attributes of Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) under Cadmium-Contaminated Soil

Biochar, prepared from organic waste materials, can improve the quality of contaminated soil areas. Biochar can be used as an economic centerpiece over other available resources and can properly utilize large amounts of waste. Soil contaminated with cadmium (Cd) is a worldwide problem that poses potential agricultural and human health hazards. Moreover, Cd toxicity causes serious problems for sustainable food production, especially in food crops like barley. High cadmium concentration in soil is phytotoxic and decreases plant growth and ultimately yields. Biochar and ascorbic acid in ameliorating Cd stress are economically compatible and consistent approaches in agriculture. The present study aimed to evaluate biochar’s and foliar-applied ascorbic acid’s influence on some growth and biochemical characteristics of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) to Cd stress. The soil was supplemented with biochar 2% w/w and 20 mg Cd kg−1. The foliar application of 30 mM ascorbic acid was done on plants. The results revealed that Cd stress decreased chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, and carotenoids. It also increased oxidative stress indicators, i.e., APX, COD, POD, flavonoids, anthocyanin, phenolics, and electrolyte leakage, in barley with Cd-contamination. A significant enhancement in root and shoot length, gas exchange attributes, and chlorophyll contents validated the effectiveness of Bio + Asa treatments over all other treatments under Cd contamination. In conclusion, the sole applications of biochar and Asa in Cd contamination are also effective, but Bio + Asa is a better amendment for Cd stress alleviation in barley plants.

Physiological, metabolomic, and transcriptomic analyses reveal the dynamic redox homeostasis upon extended exposure of Dunaliella salina GY-H13 cells to Cd

The study was done to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the steady maintenance of the green microalga Dunaliella salina GY-H13 in successive subcultures in F/2 medium supplemented with the high cadmium (Cd) concentration (5 mg L−1) for 3 months or 84 days using physiological, metabolomic, and transcriptomic methodologies. Physiological analysis indicated that Cd suppressed growth rate, photosynthetic efficiency, and pigment contents and promoted Cd accumulation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and lipid peroxidation. UPLC-MS/MS-based metabolic analysis identified the top most upregulated and downregulated metabolites, the 5′-dehydroxyadenosine and thiamine acetic acid that were associated with the formation and removal of H2O2. RNA-seq-based transcriptomic analysis showed the overrepresentation of low-CO2-inducible genes in the most downregulated gene set. Metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses further showed that the decreased GSSG/GSH-based redox potential, increased oxidative-phosphorylation gene expression, and reduced activity of TCA cycle in cells after extended exposure to Cd. Taken together, our results imply that cellular defense to Cd in D. salina is achieved by upregulation of ROS-scavenging activities including depletion of thiamine acetic acid. Dynamic redox homeostasis is maintained in cells with extended exposure to Cd by production of both oxidants and antioxidants through multiple pathways.

Environmental exposure to cadmium but not lead is associated with decreased semen quality parameters: quality regionalism of sperm properties.

Environmental factors may negatively contribute to a progressive worsening of semen quality, and differences in semen quality may result from different environmental exposures (regional differences) or lifestyle differences. Heavy metals are factors with a confirmed negative influence on male fertility. Among them, lead and cadmium are commonly found in human surroundings. Thus, we analyzed semen parameters (according to the World Health Organization 2010 recommendations) and semen lead and cadmium concentrations in 188 men from two different regions in Poland, a typical agricultural area and an industrial area, in couples that had been diagnosed with infertility. The assays were performed using flameless electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. In the statistical analysis, regional comparisons and then taxonomic comparisons based on three parameters (age, semen concentration, and sperm morphology) were applied. We showed that more cadmium than lead accumulated in semen, a higher cadmium concentration was observed in semen obtained from men from the agricultural region, and better semen quality and lower cadmium concentrations were found in the semen of men from the industrial, more polluted region. We thus showed an existing regionalism in the sperm quality properties. However, semen parameters such as morphology and progressive and nonprogressive motility followed the same trends, regardless of the patient's age, region, or class. We could conclude that the environment has a minor impact on sperm morphology and progressive and nonprogressive motility and that other existing factors could have an indirect influence on semen quality.