Hyperaccumulator Research Articles

Different natural biomasses for lead cation removal

It is believed that some wastes play an important role on the pollution prevention. In this paper, three different natural biomasses were investigated as biosorbent. Salsola green plant which grown at Jubail (industrial area) in KSA, it is phyto remediation plant. Salsola is metal hyper accumulation plant, it adsorbed (23.5, 25.7 mg lead per gram stem or leaf) from soil. Also it can be reused as ion exchanger for pb 2+ from solution. Shrimp shell’s used for extraction of chitosan in laboratory with degree of substitution 81%. Chitosan and crosslinked carboxymethyl chitosan were investigated for pb 2+ adsorption and compared with crosslinked carboxymethyl corn cob. The adsorption experiments demonstrated that the three biomasses have high adsorption capacity for pb 2+, good reusability and stability for three cycles.

Stem and leaf sequestration of zinc at the cellular level in the hyperaccumulator Sedum alfredii

* Sedum alfredii is a fast-growing, high-biomass zinc (Zn) hyperaccumulator native to China. Here, the characteristics of in vivo Zn distribution in stems and leaves of the hyperaccumulating (HE) and nonhyperaccumulating ecotypes (NHE) of S. alfredii were investigated by synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence (SRXRF) analysis, together with a Zn probe. * Preferential Zn accumulation in leaf and stem epidermis was observed in both ecotypes, but to a much greater extent for HE. Epidermal Zn increased largely in leaves and stems of HE as exposure time was prolonged, while Zn saturation occurred relatively early in HE leaf mesophyll cells and stem vascular bundles. A second peak of Zn enrichment in stem and leaf vascular systems was shown in both ecotypes. However, the proportion of Zn accumulated in stem vascular bundles relative to other tissues was much greater for HE than for NHE. * Leaf and stem distribution patterns of phosphorus (P) and sulphur (S) in the HE were very like that for Zn, while the calcium (Ca) distribution pattern was the reverse of that for Zn. No such relationship was observed in NHE. * Our study mainly suggested that epidermal layers serve as important storage sites for accumulated Zn in the S. alfredii HE.

Microbe-induced changes in metal extractability from fly ash

A low cost and eco-friendly technology to bioremediate toxic metals associated with fly ash dumps that contaminate ground and surface water in and around fly ash settling ponds, was investigated. The impact of augmentation of fly ash tolerant bacterial strains, isolated from Typha latifolia growing naturally on fly ash dumps, was studied for metal extractability. It was observed that most of the bacterial strains either induced the bioavailability of Fe, Zn and Ni or immobilized Pb, Cr, Cu, Cd in the fly ash. However, there were few exceptions also. In case of Ni, eight strains enhanced metal mobility, while others caused metal immobilization. The findings also suggest that metal solublization and immobilization are specific to bacterial strains. While induced bioavailability of metals by bacteria may be used to accelerate the phytoextraction of metals from fly ash by hyper accumulator plants, immobilization of metals can check their migration to water reservoirs and reduce the human suffering in affected areas. Thus, bacteria serve the dual purpose and may result in the microbe- assisted phytoremediation of contaminated sites.

Identification of the Hyper Accumulator Plants in Copper and Iron Mine in Iran

The aim of present study was to identify accumulator plants that are effective for phytoremediation. We chose a mine of Iron and Copper named Hame Kasi that located western north of Hamedan city as a polluted area. In this region concentration of heavy metals is several times more than non-polluted area. Seventeen plant species and 6 soil samples were collected from this region for determination of heavy metals content. Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) was used for analysis of heavy metals in soil and plant samples, then tested plant species were grouped on the basis of their accumulation capability of heavy metals. The results of this research showed that there are some hyper accumulator plants in this area that can concentrate heavy metals in their different parts thus they can be used for remediation of polluted area.

Remediação de solos tratados com lodo rico em zinco

Esta pesquisa teve por objetivos: estudar as alterações na distribuição de Zn nas diferentes frações químicas de solos tratados com lodo de esgoto, provocadas pela aplicação de carbonatos, óxidos e fosfatos para determinar a eficiência desses produtos na contenção desse elemento, e avaliar a redução de solubilidade através do uso de planta hiperacumuladora. Utilizou-se lodo de esgoto de indústria aplicado em amostras da camada superficial de um Latossolo Vermelho-Amarelo (LVA) e de um Argissolo Vermelho-Amarelo (PVA). A adição de CaCO3 provocou imobilização química do Zn por sua associação às frações químicas mais estáveis. O FeCl3 + EDTA causou dissolução de compostos de Zn e dessorção desses elementos complexados por grupos funcionais de superfície. O KH2PO4 não alterou a distribuição de Zn nas diferentes formas químicas nos solos. O Zn concentrou-se nas raízes, limitando a passagem desses elementos para a parte aérea. Encontrou-se, nos tratamentos com o CaCO3, menor concentração de Zn na raiz e parte aérea. A adição de FeCl3 + EDTA promoveu aumento da concentração de Zn nesses órgãos da planta.

Arsenic phytoextraction and hyperaccumulation by fern species

Arsenic (As) is an ubiquitous trace metalloid found in all environmental media. Its presence at elevated concentrations in soils derives from both anthropogenic and natural inputs. Arsenic is a toxic and carcinogenic element, which has caused severe environmental and health problem worldwide. Technologies currently available for the remediation of arsenic-contaminated sites are expensive, environmentally disruptive, and potentially hazardous to workers. Phytoextraction, a strategy of phytoremediation, uses plants to clean up contaminated soils and has been successfully applied to arsenic contaminated soils. It has the advantage of being cost-effective and environmentally friendly. A major step towards the development of phytoextraction of arsenic-impacted soils is the discovery of the arsenic hyper accumulation in ferns, first in Pteris vittata, which presented an extraordinary capacity to accumulate 2.3% arsenic in its biomass. Another fern, Pityrogramma calomelanos was found to exhibit the same hyperaccumulating characteristics. After that, screening experiments have revealed that the Pteris genus is really unique in that many species have the potential to be used in phytoextraction of arsenic. In general, these plants seem to have both constitutive and adaptive mechanisms for accumulating or tolerating high arsenic concentration. In the past few years, much work has been done to understand and improve the hyperaccumulating capability of these amazing plants. In particular, the field of molecular biology seems to hold the key for the future of the phytoremediation.

Distribution Of Cadmium And Nickel Among Various Forms In Natural And Contaminated Soils Amended With Edta

Because of its strong chelating capacity, application of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) to soils may change the amount and distribution of heavy metals among their various chemical forms. Therefore, a greenhouse experiment was conducted using two cultivars of Brassica species (Brassica juncea and Brassica carinata) as hyper accumulator test crops on natural and artificially Cd and Ni contaminated soils. Both natural and metal amended soils were treated with disodium salt of EDTA at 0 and 1 g kg−1 soil. After harvest of crops, soil samples were fractionated into water soluble plus exchangeable (WE), carbonate (CARB), organic matter (OM), Mn oxide (MnOX), amorphous Fe oxide (AFeOX), crystalline Fe oxide (CFeOX) and residual (RES) fractions. In metal amended soils, Cd and Ni were found predominantly in the AFeOX fraction in the absence of EDTA application and in the WE fraction in EDTA treated soil. Application of EDTA resulted in the redistribution of Cd among different forms and increased significantly Cd in the WE fraction with a concomitant significant decrease in the OM fraction. In natural soils, more than 40% of the total Cd was present in the RES fraction while in contaminated soil it was only 5%. Nickel in the WE fraction increased significantly while it considerably decreased in the CARB, OM, MnOX, AFeOX and CFeOX fractions with EDTA addition. This indicated that applied EDTA is capable to move Cd and Ni from the less soluble or more stable forms (CARB, OM, MnOX, AFeOX and CFeOX) to the most soluble form (WE). N natural soils, Ni in the RES fraction was found upto 49%, whereas only 10% of the total Ni was observed in contaminated soil, irrespective of EDTA treatment. In general, the amount of Cd recovered after harvest of both the Brassica cultivars did not differ significantly in any fraction except the WE fraction. The amount of Ni recovered in the AFeOX fraction was significantly higher after harvest of B. juncea as compared to B. carinata.

Light regulation of sucrose-phosphate synthase activity in the freezing-tolerant grass Deschampsia antarctica

Deschampsia antarctica, a freezing-tolerant grass that has colonized the Maritime Antarctic, has an unusually high content of sucrose (Suc) in leaves, reaching up to 36% of dry weight. Suc accumulation has often been linked with increased activity of sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS; EC: 2.4.1.1.14). SPS, a key enzyme in sucrose biosynthesis, is controlled by an intricate hierarchy of regulatory mechanisms including allosteric modulators, reversible covalent modification in response to illumination, and transcriptional regulation. We hypothesized that during long day conditions in the Antarctic summer D. antarctica can maintain high SPS activity longer by indirect light regulation, thereby leading to a high sucrose accumulation in the leaves. The objectives of this study were to investigate a possible indirect light regulation of SPS activity and the effect of cold and day length on transcriptional and protein level of SPS in D. antarctica. Although SPS activity did not display an endogenous rhythm of activity in continuous light, activation of SPS at the end of the dark period was observed in D. antarctica. This activation of SPS is possibly controlled by covalent modification, because it was inhibited by okadaic acid while the SPS protein level did not significantly change. The highest SPS activity increase was observed after 21 days of cold-acclimation under long day conditions. This increased activity was not related to an increase in SPS gene expression or protein content. High SPS activity in cold long days leading to hyper accumulation of Suc appears to be among the features that permit D. antarctica to survive in the harsh Antarctic conditions.

Arsenic biomonitoring using a hyperaccumulator fern (Pteris vittata).

Samples of Pteris vittata L. (brake fern or ladder brake) collected in Genova and in areas outside urban centres, have been analysed for arsenic content in order to assess if hyper accumulating plants are suitable for monitoring purposes. Hyper accumulation ability of the Ligurian fern populations was evaluated by analysing specimens grown with hydroponic media added with As(v). Arsenic concentrations in the range 2-310 microg g(-1) dry weight have been measured in samples collected in different sites along the Ligurian coast. Arsenic concentrations in fern fronds correlate with the estimated arsenic emission in the area, verifying the applicability of P. vittata as an arsenic biomonitor.

CHIYODA WINS METHANOL CONTRACT IN SAUDI ARABIA

It is believed that some wastes play an important role on the pollution prevention. In this paper, three different natural biomasses were investigated as biosorbent. Salsola green plant which grown at Jubail (industrial area) in KSA, it is phyto remediation plant. Salsola is metal hyper accumulation plant, it adsorbed (23.5, 25.7 mg lead per gram stem or leaf) from soil. Also it can be reused as ion exchanger for pb2+ from solution. Shrimp shell’s used for extraction of chitosan in laboratory with degree of substitution 81%. Chitosan and crosslinked carboxymethyl chitosan were investigated for pb2+ adsorption and compared with crosslinked carboxymethyl corn cob. The adsorption experiments demonstrated that the three biomasses have high adsorption capacity for pb2+, good reusability and stability for three cycles.

CHIYODA WINS METHANOL CONTRACT IN SAUDI ARABIA

It is believed that some wastes play an important role on the pollution prevention. In this paper, three different natural biomasses were investigated as biosorbent. Salsola green plant which grown at Jubail (industrial area) in KSA, it is phyto remediation plant. Salsola is metal hyper accumulation plant, it adsorbed (23.5, 25.7 mg lead per gram stem or leaf) from soil. Also it can be reused as ion exchanger for pb2+ from solution. Shrimp shell’s used for extraction of chitosan in laboratory with degree of substitution 81%. Chitosan and crosslinked carboxymethyl chitosan were investigated for pb2+ adsorption and compared with crosslinked carboxymethyl corn cob. The adsorption experiments demonstrated that the three biomasses have high adsorption capacity for pb2+, good reusability and stability for three cycles.

Saudi Arabia: Al Zamil — carbon black

It is believed that some wastes play an important role on the pollution prevention. In this paper, three different natural biomasses were investigated as biosorbent. Salsola green plant which grown at Jubail (industrial area) in KSA, it is phyto remediation plant. Salsola is metal hyper accumulation plant, it adsorbed (23.5, 25.7 mg lead per gram stem or leaf) from soil. Also it can be reused as ion exchanger for pb2+ from solution. Shrimp shell’s used for extraction of chitosan in laboratory with degree of substitution 81%. Chitosan and crosslinked carboxymethyl chitosan were investigated for pb2+ adsorption and compared with crosslinked carboxymethyl corn cob. The adsorption experiments demonstrated that the three biomasses have high adsorption capacity for pb2+, good reusability and stability for three cycles.

Phytoremediation of Uranium-Contaminated Soils: Role of Organic Acids in Triggering Uranium Hyperaccumulation in Plants

Uranium phytoextraction, the use of plants to extract U from contaminated soils, is an emerging technology. We report on the development of this technology for the cleanup of U-contaminated soils. In this research, we investigated the effects of various soil amendments on U desorption from soil to soil solution, studied the physi ological characteristics of U uptake and accumulation in plants, and developed techniques to trigger U hyperac cumulation in plants. A key to the success of U phytoextraction is to increase soil U availability to plants. We have found that some organic acids can be added to soils to increase U desorption from soil to soil solution and to trigger a rapid U accumulation in plants. Of the organic acids (acetic acid, citric acid, and malic acid) tested, citric acid was the most effective in enhancing U accumulation in plants. Shoot U concentrations of Brassica juncea and Brassica chinensis grown in a U-contaminated soil (total soil U, 750 mg kg-1) increased from less than 5 mg kg-1 t...

OPTIMAL CONDITIONS FOR CELL SUSPENSION CULTURES OF THLASPI CAERULESCENS AND BRASSICA NAPUS

Thlaspi caerulescens (Brassicaceae), known as a Zn hyper accumulator, is able to accumulate and tolerate Zn, Ni, Cu, and Cd at high concentrations in its biomass. We are examining the feasibility of using cell suspensions of T. caerulescens and B. napus to study the effect of selected heavy metals on growth and nutrient uptake. Callus was initiated by culturing seedlings on basal medium containing MS salts supplemented with MS or B5 vitamins, 1, 2, 5, or 10 mg 2,4-D/liter, and 0.7% Phytagar. Cell suspensions were initiated by transferring calli to liquid basal medium containing MS or B5 vitamins, and 1 or 2 mg 2,4-D/liter, and were incubated on a gyratory shaker at 120 rpm. Growth of suspensions inoculated at 0.2, 0.4, or 0.6 g/25 ml was monitored for 13 days. Optimal conditions required to initiate and maintain suspension cultures of T. caerulescens and B. napus include MS medium supplemented with B5 vitamins and 1 mg 2,4-D/liter, an inoculation density of 0.4 g/25 ml, and a 2-week subculture schedule.

Chemical nature of manganese in the leaves of manganese accumulator plants

Abstract The chemical nature of Mn in the leaves of Acanthopanax seiadophylloides, Ilex crenata var. paludosa and Kalopanax pictus was investigated. Successive extraction of freeze-dried and fresh leaf sam pies with various solvents showed that the major portion of Mn (>90%) was extractable with water and 0.2 M HCl. Electron probe X-ray microanalysis was performed with the fresh leaf tissues of Mn hyper accumulator A. seiadophylloides, before and after shaking with distilled water, 80% methanol and 1 M HCl. Water removed large parts of Mn in the tissue as a whole except in the region of the epidermis. A negligible amount of Mn was removed by 80% methanol; on the other hand, 1 M HCl removed almost all of the Mn in the tissues. Paper electrophoretic experiments conducted with water and 0.2 M HCl extracts using pyridine-acetic acid buffer (pH 6.5) indicated that Mn in the extracts behaved similarly to Mn2+, presumably due to the labile nature of Mn components in the tissues.

Evaluation of Storage Level for Some Heavy Metals and Others Elements into Lichens Species Growing On Larix Decidua in Bucegi Area

It is well known the affinity of lichens for heavy metals absorption, and used as biomonitors in environmental protection [4]. Also they are studied for their hyper accumulation level in the view to be used as natural’s sources for rare and noble metals. This work is about two lichens species which are growing on Larix decidua’s bark. It was collected and analyzed Usnea barbata and Peltigera canina. Both lichens species were growing in closer association each other on bark.
 The samples were analyzed by EDXRF (fluorescence –spectrometer) method with ELVA-X.
 In this way were registered all the elements which were in a concentration higher then 1ppm. It were determinate the concentrations of iron, copper, zinc, chromium, manganese, lead, cobalt. In some analysed cases were registered nickel, strontium and gold. Most important there were the absorption features of lichens which was different from a place to other in studied aria. In the east of this zone both lichens species had the same characteristics of storage heavy metals.