Response of Spirodela polyrhiza to cerium: subcellular distribution, growth and biochemical changes.

Rare earth elements are new and emerging contaminants in freshwater systems. Greater duckweed (Spirodela polyrhiza L.) is a common aquatic plant widely used in phytotoxicity tests for xenobiotic substances. In this study, the cerium (Ce) accumulation potential, the distribution of Ce in bio-molecules, and ensuing biochemical responses were investigated in greater duckweed fronds when they were exposed to Ce (0, 10, 20, 40, and 60µM). There was a concentration dependent increase in Ce accumulation, which reached a maximum of 67mgg-1 of dry weight (DW) at 60µM Ce after 14 d. The Ce concentrations in bio-macromolecules followed the order: cellulose and pectin > proteins > polysaccharides > lipids. In response to Ce exposure, significant chlorosis; declines in growth, photosynthetic pigment and protein contents; and cell death were noted at the highest Ce concentration. Photosystem II inhibition, degradation of the reaction center protein D1, and damage to chloroplast ultrastructure were observed in Ce treated S. polyrhiza fronds, as revealed by chlorophyll a fluorescence transients, immunoblotting, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). O2.- accumulation and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the treated fronds increased in a concentration dependent manner, which indicated that oxidative stress and unsaturated fatty acids (C18:3) were specifically affected by Ce exposure. These results suggest Ce exerts its toxic effects on photosynthesis, with a primary effect on PS II, through oxidative stress.

Oxidative effects, nutrients and metabolic changes in aquatic macrophyte, Elodea nuttallii, following exposure to lanthanum.

We investigated the phytoremediation potential of Elodea nuttallii to remove rare earth metals from contaminated water. The laboratory experiments were designed to assess the responses induced by lanthanum (5-20mgL(-1)) in E. nuttallii over a period of 7 days. The results showed that most La (approximately 85%) was associated with the cell wall. The addition of La to the culture medium reduced the concentration of K, Ca, Cu, Mg, and Mn. However, O2(·-) levels increased with a concomitant increase in the malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration as the La concentration increased, which indicated that the cells were under oxidative stress. Significant reductions in the levels of chlorophyll (Chl) a, b, and carotenoids (Car) were observed in a concentration-dependent manner. However, the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), total non-protein thiols (TNP-SH) and phytochelatins (PCs) increased for all La concentrations. The results suggested that La was toxic to E. nuttallii because it induced oxidative stress and disturbed mineral uptake. However, E. nuttallii was able to combat La induced damage via an immobilization mechanism, which involved the cell wall and the activation of non-enzymatic antioxidant.

Bioaccumulation, subcellular, and molecular localization and damage to physiology and ultrastructure in Nymphoides peltata (Gmel.) O. Kuntze exposed to yttrium.

Bioaccumulation, subcellular distribution, and acute toxicity of yttrium (Y) were evaluated in Nymphoides peltata. The effects of Y concentrations of 1-5 mg L(-1) applied for 4 days were assessed by measuring changes in photosynthetic pigments, nutrient contents, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, and ultrastructure. The accumulation of Y in subcellular fractions decreased in the order of cell wall > organelle > soluble fraction. Much more Y was located in cellulose and pectin than in other biomacromolecules. The content of some mineral elements (Mg, Ca, Fe, Mn, and Mo) increased in N. peltata, but there was an opposite effect for P and K. Meanwhile, ascorbate, and catalase activity decreased significantly for all Y concentrations. In contrast, peroxidase activity was induced, while initial rises in superoxide dismutase activity and glutathione content were followed by subsequent declines. Morphological symptoms of senescence, such as chlorosis and damage to chloroplasts and mitochondria, were observed even at the lowest Y concentration. Pigment content decreased as the Y concentration rose and the calculated EC50 and MPC of Y for N. peltata were 2 and 0.2 mg L(-1) after 4 days of exposure, respectively. The results showed that exogenous Y was highly available in water and that its high concentration in water bodies might produce harmful effects on aquatic organisms. N. peltata is proposed as a biomonitor for the assessment of metal pollution in aquatic ecosystems.

Responses of Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Royle to zinc: in situ localization, subcellular distribution and physiological and ultrastructural modifications.

Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Royle exposed to 15-150 µM Zn for 7 days were analyzed with reference to the ultrastructural localization, subcellular distribution of metal and its influence on photosynthetic efficiency, malondialdehyde (MDA), adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and ultrastructure. Zn grains were found in the cell walls and within nuclei and chloroplasts using the autometallographic technique. Subcellular fractionation of Zn-containing tissues indicated 43-54% of the element was located in the cell wall fraction, followed by cell organelles (24-31%) and the soluble fraction (21-29%). A significant reduction in photosynthetic efficiency was observed in a concentration dependent manner, as indicated by the reduced efficiency of the PS II photochemical system (Fv/Fm). MDA content showed a sharp increase at all Zn concentrations, which indicated oxidative stress. Zn-exposed plants displayed a significant decrease in ATP content. Zn exposure also caused the chloroplasts and nuclei to disintegrate and the vacuolization of mitochondria, all of which suggested that Zn hastened plant senescence.

Copper ultrastructural localization, subcellular distribution, and phytotoxicity in Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Royle.

Laboratory experiments were conducted to investigate copper (Cu) subcellular distribution and toxicity in Hydrilla verticillata. Fronds were subjected to different concentrations (15, 75, and 150 µM) of Cu for 7 days. Cu grains were found in cell walls, plasmodesmata, and within the nuclei and chloroplasts using the autometallographic technique. Subcellular fractionation of Cu-containing tissues indicated that in leaves subjected to high Cu concentrations, 59-65 % of the element was located in the cell wall fraction, followed by cell organelles (21-30 %) and the soluble fraction (10-14 %). The levels of K, P, Zn, and Mg declined under all Cu concentrations, but Ca, Mn, and Fe contents reached their peak at 15 µM Cu and decreased thereafter. F v/F m, F 0, and F m fell significantly in line with the decrease in pigment content. Cu exposure also caused significant damage to the chloroplasts, mitochondria, and nuclei, including disintegration of the chloroplasts and vacuolization of the mitochondria and nuclei, all of which suggested that Cu hastened plant senescence. The Cu maximum permissible concentration for H. verticillata was 10 µM, which was less than the existing general water quality standard. This suggested that H. verticillata could be used to assess Cu phytotoxicity.