Low Concentrations Of Cadmium Research Articles

Influence of cadmium on metallothionein expression and products of lipid peroxidation in the organs of hares (Lepus europaeus Pallas)

Cadmium occurs naturally in the environment and as an anthropogenic pollutant. Exposure to low concentrations of cadmium is inevitable and may produce toxic effects. Another important aspect of cadmium toxicity is its interaction, often antagonistic, with essential elements such as selenium. The aim of this study was to highlight the risks of long-term exposure to low cadmium concentrations, using a scientific and chemical approach and hares (Lepus europaeus Pallas) as model organisms in a field study. Two study areas were monitored. Levels of cadmium and selenium were quantified in the organs of hares, the expression of metallothioneins I + II and the products of lipid peroxidation were determined. The median cadmium concentrations (wet weight) in the muscle, liver, kidney and brain of hares from an exposed group ranged from 0.033 to 0.037, 0.763 to 1.054, 3.090 to 16.594 and 0.016 to 0.087 µg g(-1), respectively; whereas, the median selenium concentrations (wet weight) ranged from 0.100 to 0.108, 0.153 to 0.332, 0.677 to 0.701 and 0.078 to 0.116 µg g(-1), respectively. Expression of the metallothioneins I + II proteins was observed in tissues. Lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels, measured as malondialdehyde (MDA) equivalents, increased with the cadmium concentration. Further research on long-term exposure to low concentrations of cadmium in the environment is needed.

Transformation of Tobacco with ScMTII Gene‐Enhanced Cadmium and Zinc Accumulation

AbstractGenetic transformation is gaining importance for developing plant types suitable to metal accumulate and/or hyperaccumulate. In this study, the transgenic tobacco plant which transferred the ScMTII gene from Saccharomyces cerevisiae to wild type tobacco cultivar Petite Havana (SR1) was grown on soils with low and high cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) concentrations in a growth chamber for 6 weeks and compared to wild type tobacco for Cd and Zn accumulation. Cadmium and Zn accumulations in the transgenic and wild type tobacco plants were increased with the increasing Cd and Zn concentrations. Unlike Zn, the transgenic plant accumulated significantly higher amount of Cd compared to the wild type control plants. Shoot Cd concentrations of transgenic tobacco in higher Cd dosages reached the above the hyperaccumulation threshold value of 100 mg Cd kg−1 in the dry weight (DW). Transgenic tobacco accumulated 354, 400, 372, and 457 mg Cd kg−1 DW, for 10, 20, 40, and 80 mg Cd kg−1 soil treatments, respectively. These values are 3.5–4.5‐fold higher than that of Cd hyperaccumulation threshold value. With 10 mg kg−1 Cd treatment, the bioconcentration factor (BCF) of transgenic tobacco plants for Cd reached up to 35 in which the threshold value for BCF should be at least 10. Our results showed that the transgenic tobacco may be used as a good Cd hyperaccumulator plant and for phytoextraction of Cd contaminated soils, but not for Zn.

CONCENTRATION OF CADMIUM IN VEGETABLES GROWN ON CONTAMINATED GARDENS AND IN PURCHESED VEGETABLES

Self-supply with home-produced vegetables is very common in urban areas, where cadmium is a characteristic pollutant due to its anthropogenic origin. It has a harmful effect on human health. People are exposed to cadmium in different ways. One of the most common is through consumption of contaminated food, such as home-produced vegetables. However, different vegetables accumulate cadmium in different concentrations and as such pose different risk to human health. In this research 6 species of vegetables were sampled: endive, chicory, courgettes, tomato, onion and carrot. Vegetables (edible parts) were sampled in gardens of the Municipality of Celje, which is the third largest city in Slovenia. In some areas soils in the city and its vicinity are polluted with heavy metals (e.g. cadmium, lead, zinc) due to past industrial activities. Sampling area was stratified into 6 zones according to Slovenian legislation and the level of soil pollution with cadmium (mg/kg DW): 12. Additionally, vegetables were purchased in local shops, markets and supermarkets in order to compare concentrations of cadmium in vegetables grown in gardens and in purchased vegetables. The main goal of this research was to determine whether purchased vegetables contain significantly lower concentration of cadmium than vegetables produced on gardens of the Municipality of Celje. Results showed that the significant difference between the average concentrations of cadmium in purchased and garden vegetables was observed in vegetables produced in gardens with soil cadmium content above 2 mg/kg DW. Therefore, the recommendation of rather to purchase vegetable than to produce it at home garden is justified in areas where the contamination of soil with cadmium is whether above 2 mg/kg DW, when producing carrot, chicory and endive or above 4 mg/kg DW, when producing courgettes, tomato and onion.

Effects of cadmium exposure on sea urchin development assessed by SSH and RT-qPCR: metallothionein genes and their differential induction

In order to study the defense strategies activated by Paracentrotus lividus embryos in response to sub-lethal doses of CdCl2, we compared the induced transcripts to that of control embryos by suppression subtractive hybridization technique. We isolated five metallothionein (MT) cDNAs and other genes related to detoxification, to signaling pathway components, to oxidative, reductive and conjugative biotransformation, to RNA maturation and protein synthesis. RT-qPCR analysis revealed that two of the five P. lividus MT (PlMT7 and PlMT8) genes appeared to be constitutively expressed and upregulated following cadmium treatment, whereas the other three genes (PlMT4, PlMT5, PlMT6) are specifically switched-on in response to cadmium treatment. Moreover, we found that this transcriptional induction is concentration dependent and that the cadmium concentration threshold for the gene activation is distinct for every gene. RT-qPCR experiments showed in fact that, among induced genes, PlMT5 gene is activated at a very low cadmium concentration (0.1 μM) whereas PlMT4 and PlMT6 are activated at intermediate doses (1-10 μM). Differently, PlMT7 and PlMT8 genes increase significantly their expression only in embryos treated with the highest dose (100 μM CdCl2). We found also that, in response to a lethal dose of cadmium (1 μM), only PlMT5 and PlMT6 mRNA levels increased further. These data suggest a hierarchical and orchestrated response of the P. lividus embryo to overcome differential environmental stressors that could interfere with a normal development.

Evaluation of trace elements in selected foods and dietary intake by young children in Thailand

Elemental concentrations in rice, animal products, eggs, vegetables, fruits, infant formulas and drinking water were determined in 667 food samples randomly collected from local markets, big supermarkets and grocery stores in Bangkok, Thailand, during the period October 2005–August 2008. Samples were digested with nitric acid and analysed by inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry. Arsenic and cadmium levels in most foods were below the maximum levels as set by international organisations. Filtered and bottled drinking water, rice, vegetables and banana contained low concentrations of arsenic, cadmium and lead. Non-polished rice had higher magnesium, calcium, manganese, iron and selenium concentrations than polished rice. Banana was a major source for manganese and selenium. Pig kidney and liver contained high levels of arsenic and cadmium. Manganese, cadmium, lead and aluminium concentrations in soybean milk could also be of concern. With respect to food safety for children, the amounts of arsenic and cadmium ingested with poultry, pig liver or rice corresponded to high weekly or monthly intake.

Adsorption of cadmium on different granulometric soil fractions: Influence of organic matter and temperature

Kinetic and thermodynamic studies are carried out at low initial cadmium concentration on a soil sample extracted from Aspach le Bas in Eastern France. It can be concluded from kinetic experiments that the implied process is of pseudo‐second order. Rate constants, relaxation times and activation energy are calculated. The energy value determined in this study (40kJmol−1) shows that the process implies both physisorption and chemisorption.The influence of soil particle size (i.e. of the initial soil and its different fractions: sand, coarse silt, fine silt and clay), organic matter and temperature on the cadmium sorption capacity is also investigated. The Langmuir and the Dubinin–Radushkevich models are chosen to analyze these thermodynamic experiments. The isotherms have revealed that the Cd2+ sorption is enhanced by increasing temperature and organic matter for all the fraction but the sand (in this last case, no temperature or organic matter have changed Cd2+ sorption). Thermodynamics parameters (∆G, ∆H and ∆S) are determined from experimental isotherms fitting following three methods used in the literature. It can be deduced from the different results that adsorption (exo or endothermic according to the fraction). Finally, a mean free energy of adsorption is obtained via Dubinin–Radushkevich model and confirms that the two types of sorption (physical and chemical) act in the whole process.

Multi-organ histological observations on juvenile Senegalese soles exposed to low concentrations of waterborne cadmium

A histopathological screening was performed on juvenile Senegalese soles exposed to environmentally realistic concentrations of waterborne Cd (0.5, 5 and 10μgL(-1)) for 28days. The severity and dissemination of histopathological changes were variable and limited to the kidney, liver, spleen, gills and skin goblet cells. Contradicting available literature that refers the liver as the most affected organ upon acute exposure and the kidney following chronic exposure, the liver was the most impacted organ (even at the lowest concentration), in a trend that could relate to the duration of exposure and Cd concentration. The most noticeable hepatic alterations related to inflammation, although hepatocellular alterations like lipidosis and eosinophilic foci also occurred. The trunk kidney of exposed fish endured moderate inflammation, apoptosis and necrosis, however, without a clear time-dependent effect. The spleen of fish subjected to the highest concentrations revealed diffuse necrotic foci accompanied by melanomacrophage intrusion. The gills, albeit the most important apical uptake organ of dissolved toxicants, sustained only moderate damage, from epithelial hyperplasia and pavement cell detachment to the potentially more severe chloride cell alterations. In the skin, an increase in goblet cell size occurred, most notoriously correlated to Cd concentration at earlier stages of exposure. The results show that a metal-naïve juvenile fish can endure deleterious effects when exposed to low, ecologically relevant, concentrations of a common toxic metal and that the pattern of Cd-induced histopathological alterations can be complex and linked to organ-specific responses and metal translocation within the organism.

Transcend Durum wheat

Singh, A. K., Clarke, J. M., Knox, R. E., DePauw, R. M., McCaig, T. N., Fernandez, M. R. and Clarke, F. R. 2012. Transcend durum wheat. Can. J. Plant Sci. 92: 809–813. Transcend durum wheat [Triticum turgidum L. subsp. durum (Desf.) Husn.] is adapted to the durum production area of the Canadian prairies. It combines high grain yield, grain protein concentration, test weight, yellow grain and dough pigment, and low grain cadmium concentration. Transcend has strong straw, slightly more days to maturity, and improved Fusarium head blight resistance compared to Strongfield.

Responses of Phanerochaete chrysosporium to Toxic Pollutants: Physiological Flux, Oxidative Stress, and Detoxification

The white-rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium has been widely used for the treatment of waste streams containing heavy metals and toxic organic pollutants. The development of fungal-based treatment technologies requires detailed knowledge of the relationship between bulk water quality and the physiological responses of fungi. A noninvasive microtest technique was used to quantify real-time changes in proton, oxygen, and cadmium ion fluxes following the exposure of P. chrysosporium to environmental toxic (2,4-dichlorophenol and cadmium). Significant changes in H(+) and O(2) flux occurred after exposure to 10 mg/L 2,4-dichlorophenol and 0.1 mM cadmium. Cd(2+) flux decreased with time. Reactive oxygen species formation and antioxidant levels increased after cadmium treatment. Superoxide dismutase activity correlated well with malondialdehyde levels (r(2) = 0.964) at low cadmium concentrations. However, this correlation diminished and malondialdehyde levels significantly increased at the highest cadmium concentration tested. Real-time microscale signatures of H(+), O(2), and Cd(2+) fluxes coupled with oxidative stress analysis can improve our understanding of the physiological responses of P. chrysosporium to toxic pollutants and provide useful information for the development of fungal-based technologies to improve the treatment of wastes cocontaminated with heavy metals and organic pollutants.

Role of MTL-1, MTL-2, and CDR-1 in mediating cadmium sensitivity in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Cadmium is an environmental toxicant whose exposure is associated with multiple human pathologies. To prevent cadmium-induced toxicity, organisms produce a variety of detoxification molecules. In response to cadmium, the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans increases the steady-state levels of several hundred genes, including two metallothioneins, mtl-1 and mtl-2, and the cadmium-specific response gene, cdr-1. Despite the presumed importance in metal detoxification of mtl-1 and mtl-2, knockdown of their expression does not increase cadmium hypersensitivity, which suggests that these genes are not required for resistance to metal toxicity in C. elegans. To determine whether cdr-1 is critical in metal detoxification and compensates for the loss of mtl-1 and/or mtl-2, C. elegans strains were generated in which one, two, and all three genes were deleted, and the effects of cadmium on brood size, embryonic lethality, the Bag phenotype, and growth were determined. Growth at low cadmium concentrations was the only endpoint in which the triple mutant displayed more sensitivity than the single and double mutants. A lack of hypersensitivity in these strains suggests that other factors may be involved in the response to cadmium. Caenorhabditis elegans produces phytochelatins (PCs) that are critical in the defense against cadmium toxicity. PC levels in wild type, cdr-1 single, mtl-1, mtl-2 double, and triple mutants were measured. PC levels were constitutively higher in the mtl-1, mtl-2 double, and triple mutants compared with wild type. Following cadmium exposure, PC levels increased. The lack of cadmium hypersensitivity when these genes are deleted may be attributed to the compensatory effects of increases in PCs.

Estimation of dietary intake and content of lead and cadmium in infant cereals marketed in Spain

Lead and cadmium have become highly toxic metallic elements. There is an obvious toxicological impact of these elements on infants since their intestinal absorption is significantly higher than in adults, thus it is desirable to quantify lead and cadmium levels in commonly consumed infant foods. Zeeman background correction, transversely-heated graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry, was used to determine both the lead and cadmium content of 91 Spanish infant cereals. Cereals were assessed in terms of different types, cereal predominant in formulation and whether it was obtained organically or conventionally. Preliminary analysis revealed a noticeably higher content of lead and cadmium (median, Q1–Q3) in organic cereals (n=17, Pb: 26.07; 21.36–51.63; Cd: 18.52; 16.56–28.50μgkg−1) in relation to conventional ones (n=74, Pb: 10.78; 6.43–19.33; Cd: 7.12; 4.40–11.77μgkg−1). Three formulations exceeded European lead maximum levels. Added ingredients (milk, cocoa, fruit and honey) to the cereal base provide lead enrichment. For cadmium, this pattern was observed by cereal based on cocoa, but also the raw materials contributed with a dilution phenomenon, decreasing the final cadmium concentration in infant cereal. Apart from several organically produced cereals, lead content showed a narrow variation, where gluten-free cereals provide lower cadmium content than formulations containing gluten. Dietary intakes of both elements were assessed in comparison with the reference intake values proposed by the EFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain. Organic infant cereals based on honey and cocoa supplied the highest risk intakes of lead and cadmium, respectively. In accordance with the actual state of knowledge on lead and cadmium toxicity and attending to the upper limits calculated from risk intake values set by EFSA, it seems prudent to call for a revision of both heavy metals content regulated by EC to set a maximum guideline values for infant cereal at 55 and 45μgkg−1, respectively.

Uso de resíduos industriais na remediação de solo contaminado com cádmio e zinco

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a utilização de dois resíduos industriais na redução de disponibilidade de zinco e cádmio em solo contaminado. O experimento foi conduzido em casa de vegetação na Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro por 225 dias, utilizando-se um substrato contaminado com zinco e cádmio, coletado no pátio de minério do Porto de Itaguaí, e próximo ao local de disposição de resíduo perigoso da Cia Mercantil e Industrial Ingá em Itaguaí, RJ. O substrato foi tratado com dois agentes inertizantes, assim descritos: um resíduo industrial com característica alcalina (Escória de Aciaria) em duas doses 4 e 6%, e outro com alto teor de óxido de ferro como adsorvente (Carepa de Laminação), em dose única de 1%. Após o plantio das mudas de Eucalyptus urophylla, foram feitas coletas do substrato em cada unidade experimental para determinação das frações biodisponíveis (extraído com MgCl2) e a não disponível. O substrato não tratado apresentava alto teor de cádmio e zinco na fração biodisponível. Os tratamentos causaram uma redução na disponibilidade desses elementos no solo, evidenciado na absorção diferenciada pelas plantas. Por causa da maior disponibilidade do cádmio e zinco no solo sem adição dos inertizantes, as plantas não resistiram aos altos teores desses elementos e morreram 30 dias após a implantação do experimento. A produção de massa seca foi influenciada positivamente pela aplicação dos agentes inertizantes, apresentando melhor resposta na maior dose de escória de aciaria. A maior dose também propiciou as menores concentrações dos elementos nas plantas, sem provocar deficiência do micronutriente zinco e mantendo o cádmio a níveis não tóxicos para as espécies de eucalipto. Apesar de apresentar menores concentrações de cádmio na dose de 6% de Escória de Aciaria,essa dose resultou na maior extração desse elemento pelas plantas.

Influence of Iranian Natural Zeolite on Accumulation of Cadmium in Cyprinus carpio Tissues Following Exposure to Low Concentration of Cadmium

Influence of Iranian Natural Zeolite on Accumulation of Cadmium in Cyprinus carpio Tissues Following Exposure to Low Concentration of Cadmium

EGFR upregulates inflammatory and proliferative responses in human lung adenocarcinoma cell line (A549), induced by lower dose of cadmium chloride

Exposure to cadmium is associated with the development of pulmonary damage such as emphysema and lung cancer. This metal is also a powerful inducer of different proinflammatory and cell cycle regulatory proteins in many biologic models. Previously, we showed that prolonged exposure of low concentration of cadmium resulted in upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines and cell cycle regulatory molecules in mice lung cell. The present study was undertaken to determine molecular mechanism of inflammation and its relation to cell proliferation in a transformed human lung adenocarcinoma epithelial cell line (A549) in response to cadmium chloride. In comparative studies, we examine that short-duration exposure to lower doses of cadmium significantly increase the growth of A549 cells, whereas higher doses are toxic and cause cell death. We also observed that cadmium induced elevated expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) along with different proinflammatory cytokines like interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). The possible occurrence of cell proliferation events was evaluated via analysis of the physical state of the DNA and the expression of Ki-67 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). We also checked the pattern of expression of different cell cycle regulatory molecules involved in the onset of cell proliferation. Our results indicate that cadmium treatment appears to induce inflammatory and growth responses in transformed A549 cell line by activating EGFR and its downstream modulators. These results may contribute to better understand the toxic mechanism of cadmium; moreover, the expression profile of cadmium-induced regulatory molecules could provide potential biomarkers for cadmium exposure.

The effects of cadmium on VEGF‐mediated angiogenesis in HUVECs

Cadmium (Cd) is a highly toxic element that causes morphologic alterations and dysfunction in blood vessels. The altered vascular function caused by cadmium has been implicated in a range of chronic diseases, including hypertension. The effects of cadmium are a multisystem phenomenon involving inflammation, hypertrophy, apoptosis, angiogenesis and important processes involved in vascular remodeling systems. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a major role in cell growth and angiogenesis under pathologic conditions. VEGF secretion is related to anti-apoptosis protein expression and attenuates apoptosis in endothelial cells. This study examined the VEGF-dependent mechanisms of angiogenesis and apoptosis in cadmium-treated endothelial cells (HUVECs). The effects and mechanisms of cadmium in endothelial cells (HUVECs) were examined by exposing the cells to different doses of cadmium chloride (2.5-40 μ m). After the cadmium treatment, the angiogenesis and apoptosis mechanisms related to VEGF in cadmium-treated HUVECs were examined. As a result, the low concentration of cadmium increased the tube formation in HUVECs. In addition, cadmium at concentrations of 5 and 10 μ m increased VEGF secretion and VEGFR2 activity, which suggest that cadmium affects the growth of blood vessels. All three MAPK pathways, namely ERK, JNK and p38, were activated by cadmium in HUVECs. However, high concentrations of cadmium caused cell damage, disrupted tube formation and inhibited VEGF expression and the activities of VEGFR2 and MAPK in HUVECs. Cadmium has dual functions through VEGF-dependent mechanisms in a dose-dependent manner. In this study, the dual effects of cadmium might alter angiogenesis and induce apoptosis through VEGF pathways in HUVECs.

Analysis of QTL for lowering cadmium concentration in rice grains from 'LAC23'

Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for low cadmium concentration in brown rice were analyzed in 2008 and 2009 using 126 RIL (F6 and F7 plants) grown in a paddy field with high Cd concentration, which were derived from a cross between a high yielding Japanese rice cultivar ‘Fukuhibiki’ and an African upland rice cultivar ‘LAC23’ with the lowest cadmium concentration in rice grains. Totally two QTLs controlling low cadmium concentration in grains were identified in both 2008 and 2009, i.e., one on chromosome 3 (qLCdG3) and one on chromosome 11 (qLCdG11), which had opposite additive effects. In qLCdG11, ‘LAC23’ alleles had the effect of reducing cadmium concentration, but qLCdG3 had the opposite effect. The explained phenotypic variances of qLCdG11 were 9.4% in 2008 and 12.9% in 2009, and those of qLCdG3 were 13.9% in 2008 and 8.3% in 2009. Cadmium concentrations in brown rice showed positive correlations with grain length and grain weight. QTLs for grain length and grain weight were detected on chromosomes 3 and 11, but their positions differed from those for cadmium concentrations. These results suggest a possibility of successful marker-assisted selection of low cadmium trait derived from ‘LAC23’.

Differences in Cadmium Accumulation and Root Morphology in Seedlings of Japanese Wheat Varieties with Distinctive Grain Cadmium Concentration

A low cadmium (Cd) concentration in wheat grain is desirable because of Cd toxicity to humans. Grain Cd concentrations in Japanese wheat differed among the varieties in previous study. In this study, we hypothesized that the varieties with a low concentration of Cd in grain have (1) low Cd uptake from the soil through the roots during early growth and/or (2) low Cd translocation from the roots to shoots, and also, that (3) Cd uptake from soil is affected by root morphology. These hypotheses were verified by investigating the concentration and quantity of Cd in root, shoot and leaf tissues, and examining the root morphology of young seedlings of wheat varieties with high and low grain Cd concentrations. Seedlings of ‘Kitahonami’ and ‘Nanbukomugi’ which had low grain Cd concentration (low Cd/G varieties) had a lower Cd quantity in whole plant tissues than ‘Nishikazekomugi’ and ‘Kitakamikomugi’ which had high grain Cd concentration (high Cd/G varieties) during early growth. Low Cd/G varieties also showed lower root to shoot (aerial parts) translocation of Cd than high Cd/G varieties. Seedlings of low Cd/G varieties showed less root branching than high Cd/G varieties. Root frequency showed a significant positive correlation with Cd quantity in whole plant tissues. These results suggest that low Cd/G varieties used in this study have low Cd uptake and translocation from the roots to shoots during early growth, and furthermore, that low Cd uptake at the seedling stage may relate to slow and/or limited development of branching roots.

Impact of Low Concentration of Cadmium on Photosynthesis and Growth of Pea and Barley

Photosynthetic gas exchange and growth characteristics were examined in pea and barley plants using 1 mM Cd treatment. Plants were sown into neutral peat substrate and at a leaf development stage were treated with 1 mM cadmium concentration solution. Gas exchange parameters (photosynthetic rate; intercellular CO 2 concentration; transpiration rate; water use efficiency) were measured with portable photosynthesis system LI-6400 on the fifth day after Cd treatment. Under Cd stress the photosynthetic rate of pea and barley plants decreased by 16.7 % (p 2 concentration decreased by 27.4 % (p 2 reduction processes of Cd treated pea leaves increased (because intercellular CO 2 concentration decreased), but that had no positive effect on a photosynthetic rate, and the photosynthetic rate of pea decreased by 4 % more than that of barley. The changes of dry biomass of cadmium treated plants were weak and statistically insignificant.

Sorption isotherm studies of Cd(II) ions using living cells of the marine microalga Tetraselmis suecica (Kylin) Butch

The present work reports the use of living cells of the marine microalga Tetraselmis suecica for the biosorption of cadmium ions. For a better understanding of the biosorption characteristics, three fractions of removed cadmium (total, bioadsorbed and intracellular) were measured in the cells after 24 and 72 h of exposure to different initial cadmium concentrations (0.6–45 mg L −1). Both the Langmuir and Freundlich models were suitable for describing the sorption of cadmium ions by this microalga. The maximum sorption capacity was estimated to be 40.22 mg Cd g −1 after 72 h using the Langmuir sorption model. In the lower cadmium concentrations, metal removed intracellularly was higher than that removed on the microalgal cell surface. Therefore, the intracellular fraction contributed more to the total removed cadmium than the fraction bioadsorbed to the cellular surface. The results showed that the cadmium removal capacity using living biomass could be much more effective than with non-living biomass due to the intracellular bioaccumulation. According to the microorganism selected and its tolerance to the toxic effect of the metal, the cadmium content in the intracellular fraction can become very significant, just like it happened with Tetraselmis.

Enterprise durum wheat

Enterprise durum wheat [Triticum turgidum L. subsp. durum (Desf.) Husn.] is adapted to the durum production area of the Canadian prairies. It combines high grain yield, grain protein concentration, test weight, yellow grain pigment, and low grain cadmium concentration. Enterprise has slightly weaker straw strength, similar days to maturity, and improved fusarium head blight resistance compared with strongfield. Key words: Triticum turgidum L. subsp. durum (Desf.) Husn., durum wheat, cultivar description, grain yield, yellow pigment, cadmium