Sensitivity of the macrophytes Pistia stratiotes and Eichhornia crassipes to hexazinone and dissipation of this pesticide in aquatic ecosystems.

Herbicide wastes from agriculture areas can contaminate water resources and affect non-target organisms. Since herbicides reach groundwater and rivers, these residues can damage the aquatic ecosystem. Hexazinone is an herbicide widely used in sugarcane cultivation and has a potential to contaminate water resources. Therefore, studies are necessary to know the possible damages of this herbicide on aquatic organisms, as well as the behavior of this pesticide in those systems. In this study, our objective was to evaluate the sensitivity of the macrophytes Pistia stratiotes and Eichhornia crassipes to hexazinone, as well as the dissipation of these pesticides. The variables intoxication, fresh matter accumulation, and leaf anatomy were used to evaluate the sensitivity of the macrophytes to hexazinone. The hexazinone concentration in water was performed by HPLC-MS. Hexazinone concentrations equivalent to 111 and 333 µg L-1 were toxic to the macrophytes. Pistia stratiotes produced less fresh matter production than Eichhornia crassipes when exposed to the hexazinone. The hexazinone application did not change the adaxial epidermic (EAD), abaxial epidermic (EAB), palisade parenchyma (PP), aerenchyma (AER) and leaf blade (LAF) of Pistia stratiotes at any concentration tested. Concentrations equivalent to 333 µg L-1 changed the PP and LAF of Eichhornia crassipes. The presence of this herbicide in water negatively affects the fresh matter accumulation and leaf structure of the Pistia stratiotes and Eichhornia crassipes, respectively. The presence of these macrophytes delayed the dissipation of hexazinone due to them impair other pathways of degradation of this herbicide in aquatic environments. The presence of this herbicide in water negatively affects the growth and development of the Pistia stratiotes and Eichhornia crassipes.

Induction of non-protein thiols and phytochelatins by cadmium in Eichhornia crassipes.

Impact of root Cd concentration on production of cysteine, non-protein thiols (NP-SH), glutathione (GSH), reduced glutathione (GSSG), and phytochelatins (PCs) in Eichhornia crassipes exposed to different dilutions of brass and electroplating industry effluent (25%, 50%, and 75%), and synthetic metal solutions of Cd alone (1, 2.5, and 3.5 ppm) and with Cr (1 ppm Cd + 1 ppm Cr, 2.5 ppm Cd + 3 ppm Cr, and 3.5 ppm Cd + 4 ppm Cr) was assessed in a 45 days study. Different treatments were used to understand and compare differential antioxidant defense response of plant under practical drainage (effluent) and experimental synthetic solutions. The production of NP-SH and cysteine was maximum under 2.5 ppm Cd + 3 ppm Cr treatments i.e., 1.78 µmol/g fw and 288 nmol/g fw, respectively. The content of GSH declined whereas that of GSSG increased progressively with exposure duration in all treatments. HPLC chromatograms revealed that the concentrations of PC2, PC3, and PC4 (248, 250, and 288 nmol-SH equiv.g-1 fw, respectively) were maximum under 1 ppm Cd, 1 ppm Cd + 1 ppm Cr, and 2.5 ppm Cd + 3 ppm Cr treatments, respectively. PC2, PC3, and PC4 concentrations increased with Cd accumulation in the range 812-1354 µg/g dry wt, 1354-2032 µg/g dry wt and 2032-3200 µg/g dry wt, respectively. Thus, the study establishes a direct proportionality relationship between concentration/length of phytochelatins and root Cd concentrations, upto threshold limits, in E. crassipes.

Lead tolerance of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes Mart. - Pontederiaceae) as defined by anatomical and physiological traits.

This study aimed at verifying the lead tolerance of water hyacinth and at looking at consequent anatomical and physiological modifications. Water hyacinth plants were grown on nutrient solutions with five different lead concentrations: 0.00, 0.50, 1.00, 2.00 and 4.00 mg L-1 by 20 days. Photosynthesis, transpiration, stomatal conductance and the Ci/Ca rate were measured at the end of 15 days of experiment. At the end of the experiment, the anatomical modifications in the roots and leaves, and the activity of antioxidant system enzymes, were evaluated. Photosynthetic and Ci/Ca rates were both increased under all lead treatments. Leaf anatomy did not exhibit any evidence of toxicity effects, but showed modifications of the stomata and in the thickness of the palisade and spongy parenchyma in the presence of lead. Likewise, root anatomy did not exhibit any toxicity effects, but the xylem and phloem exhibited favorable modifications as well as increased apoplastic barriers. All antioxidant system enzymes exhibited increased activity in the leaves, and some modifications in roots, in the presence of lead. It is likely, therefore, that water hyacinth tolerance to lead is related to anatomical and physiological modifications such as increased photosynthesis and enhanced anatomical capacity for CO2 assimilation and water conductance.

Antioxidant responses in the leaves of mercury-treated Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms.

Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms. plantlets were grown in 0.1 and 1.0 ppm treatment solutions of Hoagland's hydroponic solutions modified with Hg(NO3)2 in order to examine the specific cellular and biochemical mechanisms involved in the tolerance of this plant exposed to mercury. This study assessed the responses of chloroplast pigments, i.e., carotenoids and chlorophylls, and evaluated the enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant systems. Inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) revealed varying Hg(2+) levels in the young and mature leaf tissues, with greater amounts of Hg(2+) found in the tissues of the young leaves. Total chlorophyll levels, notably those of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids, showed significant elevation in young leaf tissues, while a decrease in their levels was observed in mature leaf tissues in comparison to those of the control plants. These results lend support to the protective role of increased chlorophyll and carotenoid levels in the photosynthetic apparatus of young E. crassipes leaves in the presence of Hg(2+). The antioxidant responses of Hg-treated E. crassipes plants were also measured, revealing a highly significant increase in catalase units, catalase and ascorbate peroxidase activities, and mercury-binding thiols in leaves from Hg-treated plants. Moreover, substantial differences in the degree of oxidative injury between the cells in leaves from the control and Hg-treated plants were evidenced by the lipid peroxidation activities monitored. The Hg-treatment-induced significant decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels was observed in 0.1-ppm Hg(NO3)2-exposed plants, while a highly significant increase in MDA levels was noted in 1.0-ppm Hg(NO3)2-exposed plants. The high degree of lipid peroxidation at 1.0-ppm Hg treatment was evidently counteracted by the compensatory protective mechanism brought about by the increased levels in chloroplast pigments and the enhanced activities of the antioxidant systems. E. crassipes responded to mercury treatments by enhancing the synthesis of chlorophyll and carotenoid pigments, enzymatic, and nonenzymatic antioxidant substances, concomitantly increasing the antioxidative activities, thus rendering E. crassipes capable of tolerating Hg-induced stress. The potential of E. crassipes as a phytoremediator is evident.

Mercury methylation in mesocosms with and without the aquatic macrophyte Eichhornia crassipes (mart.) Solms.

Mercury is a toxic pollutant and spreads to several compartments in the environment. Previous in-vitro studies showed that roots of aquatic macrophytes are sites of methylmercury formation, performed mainly by sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB). The objective of this study was to observe MMHg formation and distribution among filtered water (0.2µm), suspended and settled particles and macrophyte roots during seventeen days, in (203)Hg- spiked mesocosms with and without live Eichhornia crassipes whole plants and a SRB inhibitor. Root samples were also incubated in-vitro for comparison of MM(203)Hg formation under in-vitro and in-vivo conditions. To evaluate the effect of SRB inhibition by sodium molybdate on total heterotrophic activity, the latter was measured by (3)H-leucine uptake. Inhibition of Hg methylation by sodium molybdate decreased with time in mesocosms. MMHg averaged 10, 12.4 and 0.23 percent of total (203)Hg present in filtered water, suspended particles and roots respectively. In vitro MMHg formation in roots averaged 5.54 percent of total added (203)Hg, with a clearer SRB inhibition effect than in mesocosms. Though significant, MMHg formation in roots from in-vivo mesocosms was one order of magnitude lower than previously found in in-vitro incubations of roots alone.

Mercury methylation and the microbial consortium in periphyton of tropical macrophytes: effect of different inhibitors.

Macrophyte-associated periphyton is known as a site of Hg accumulation and methylation in tropical environments. Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) is found in periphyton and its role in Hg methylation is acknowledged. However, the contribution of other microorganisms to this process is largely unknown. We tested the effect of inhibitors for different microorganisms on methylmercury (MMHg) formation on distinct macrophyte species from lakes of the Bolivian Amazon basin and in Brazil. We also tested the effect of inhibitors on bacterial secondary activity at two lakes in Brazil. Samples were incubated on-site with (203)Hg and Me(203)Hg was extracted and measured by liquid scintillation. MMHg formation on macrophytes varied among species ranging from 0.2% to 36%. Treatments with specific inhibitors resulted in reduction of MMHg production on most sites and inhibitors. The most successful treatment was the co-inhibition of SRB and methanogens. The inhibitions of algae and fungi activity showed fewer effects on methylation rates at all sites analyzed. Bacterial secondary activity was slightly affected by algae and fungi inhibition, and largely influenced by prokaryotic, SRB and methanogens inhibition. The data suggest that MMHg formation may not be directly performed by all microorganisms in periphyton but depends on complex interactions among them.

Effect of nickel ions on anaerobic methane production from water hyacinth.

The effect of different concentrations of nickel ions (Ni(2+), 0, 10, 40 and 80 mg/L) on the anaerobic methane production of water hyacinth were investigated. Under these four concentrations, the methane production in 40 d was 2,275, 2,703, 3,210 and 2,481 mL, respectively. This situation illustrated that the Ni(2+) promoted the growth of hydrogen-producing acetic acid bacteria and methanogenic bacteria, even at high concentrations (i.e. 40-80 mg/L). The highest methane production per unit weight water hyacinth reached 206 mL/gTS with 40 mg/L Ni(2+). Meanwhile, the modified Gompertz and Logistic equations were applied to describe the effect on anaerobic culture of Ni(2+). According to these models, the values of methane production potential (mL) for four concentrations were in the following order: 40 mg/L (3,123.42 ± 60.08) > 10 mg/L (2,541.16 ± 46.94) > 80 mg/L (2,432.36 ± 40.18) > 0 mg/L (2,238.10 ± 31.90). According to the analysis of the digestate, the residual concentration of Ni(2+) was approximately 1.05-4.9 mg/L, which was relatively low compared with the Ni(2+) concentrations in the raw feedstock. The results would provide academic guidance and technical support for treatment of water hyacinth with an accumulation of heavy metals.

Compartmentalization and ultrastructural alterations induced by chromium in aquatic macrophytes.

The aim of the present study was to identify the sites of accumulation of Cr in the species of macrophytes that are abundant in the Cachoeira river, namely, Alternanthera philoxeroides, Borreria scabiosoides, Polygonum ferrugineum and Eichhornia crassipes. Plants were grown in nutritive solution supplemented with 0.25 and 50 mg l(-1) of CrCl(3)·6H(2)O. Samples of plant tissues were digested with HNO(3)/HCl in a closed-vessel microwave system and the concentrations of Cr determined using inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The ultrastructure of root, stem and leaf tissue was examined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) in order to determine the sites of accumulation of Cr and to detect possible alterations in cell organelles induced by the presence of the metal. Chromium accumulated principally in the roots of the four macrophytes (8.6-30 mg kg(-1) dw), with much lower concentrations present in the stems and leaves (3.8-8.6 and 0.01-9.0 mg kg(-1) dw, respectively). Within root tissue, Cr was present mainly in the vacuoles of parenchyma cells and cell walls of xylem and parenchyma. Alterations in the shape of the chloroplasts and nuclei were detected in A. philoxeroides and B. scabiosoides, suggesting a possible application of these aquatic plants as biomarkers from Cr contamination.

Involvement of glutathione metabolism in Eichhornia crassipes tolerance to arsenic.

Aquatic macrophytes are potentially useful for phytoremediation programmes in environments contaminated by arsenic (As). Biochemical and physiological modification analyses in different plant parts are important to understand As tolerance mechanisms. The objective was to evaluate glutathione metabolism in leaves and roots of Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms treated to As. Specimens of E. crassipes were cultured for 3 days in Clark's nutrient solution containing 7 µm As. The enzymes ATP sulphurylase (ATPS), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione sulphotransferase (GST) and γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase (γ-ECS) activity, glutathione content, total protein and non-protein thiols were evaluated. The ATPS activity increased in roots. GR activity in leaves and GSH-Px in roots were lower. GST activity was higher in roots and lower in leaves, and γ-ECS activity was higher in leaves. Glutathione levels were lower, total thiol levels were higher and non-protein levels did not change in E. crassipes leaves and roots. Exposure to As increased enzyme activity involved with sulphur metabolism, such as ATPS. Higher GR activity and lower GSH-Px indicate increased glutathione conjugation to As due to increased GSH availability. The higher GST activity indicates its participation in As detoxification and accumulation through As GSH conjugation. Changes in glutathione and thiol levels suggest high phytochelatin synthesis. In conclusion, the increments in ATPS, GR, GST and γ-ECS activity indicate that these enzymes are involved in GSH metabolism and are part of the E. crassipes As detoxification mechanism.

Migration of antibiotic ciprofloxacin during phytoremediation of contaminated water and identification of transformation products.

Phytoremediation is an effective and environmentally friendly approach to treat antibiotic contaminated water, however, the mechanisms of migration and transformation of antibiotics in plant tissues are still far from clear. In this study, the floating macrophyte Eichhornia crassipes was exposed to a series of antibiotic ciprofloxacin (CIP) concentrations. The results showed that the CIP was taken up and accumulated in the roots, which were the major accumulative tissue. CIP content increased with lipid content. During cultivation, the root bioconcentration factor (RCF) gradually increased. The average CIP content detected in aerial parts was 12.80 µg g-1, an order of magnitude lower than in the roots. At low CIP concentrations, the highest leaf bioconcentration factor (LCF) and transfer factor (TF) indicated highly efficient translocation from roots to aerial parts. The soluble protein growth rate of leaves, which is associated with metabolic activity, increased following CIP exposure. Overall, eight major transformation products in E. crassipes tissues were identified, and three possible transformation pathways were proposed involving the processes of desethylation, dehydroxylation, oxidation, hydroxylation and cleavage of the piperazine and quinoline rings. These findings could prove beneficial for improving the management or amelioration methods used for treating water contaminated with antibiotics.

Herbicide treatment alters the effects of water hyacinth on larval mosquito abundance.

Invasive aquatic weeds are managed with herbicides to reduce their negative impacts on waterways in many areas, including the California Delta Region. Herbicides create a dynamic environment of living and decomposing plant matter that could affect larval mosquitoes and other invertebrates, such as their predators and competitors. Our objective was to compare the number of larval mosquitoes in water or water hyacinth, before and after an herbicide treatment. We created replicated pond mesocosms with water hyacinth, water hyacinth treated with glyphosate and an oil adjuvant, open water, and water with glyphosate plus adjuvant. We sampled for larval mosquitoes and other aquatic invertebrates. Before herbicide addition, there was a trend for more larval mosquitoes in open water tanks than in tanks with water hyacinth. Herbicide application resulted in an immediate decrease of larval mosquitoes. As decay progressed, larval mosquitoes became most abundant in mesocosms with herbicide-treated hyacinth and very few larval mosquitoes were found in other habitat treatments. Although the numbers of predatory and competitor insects had some variation between treatments, no clear pattern emerged. This information on how invasive weed management with herbicides affects larval mosquitoes will allow control practices for larval mosquitoes and invasive weeds to be better integrated.

Isolation of a low-sulfur tolerance gene from Eichhornia crassipes using a functional gene-mining approach.

Genes enhancing nutrient utilization efficiency are needed for crop improvement. Here, we report the isolation of a gene conferring low-sulfur tolerance from water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) using a functional gene-mining method. In doing this, an entry cDNA library was constructed from the roots of nutrient-starved water hyacinth using recombination cloning and subsequently shuttled into the plant transformation- and expression-ready vector. The plant transformation- and expression-ready library was transferred into Arabidopsis and a seed library of 50,000 independent transgenic lines was generated. Three transgenic lines with enhanced low-sulfur tolerance were isolated from the seed library. One of the transgenic lines, shl143-1, with improved tolerance to sulfate deficiency and an improved root system was further analyzed. It was found that a water hyacinth jacalin-related lectin gene (EcJRL-1) was overexpressed in shl143-1. Recapitulation analysis confirmed that the overexpression of the EcJRL-1 cDNA caused the phenotype. Therefore, this study demonstrates that a jacalin-related lectin is involved in root elongation under sulfur-deficient conditions.

Nickel and phosphorous sorption efficiencies, tissue accumulation kinetics and morphological effects on Eichhornia crassipes.

The aim of the research was to assess the uptake efficiencies of Ni and P, their distribution in tissues along time and their toxic effects on the internal and external morphologies of Eichhornia crassipes. Aquaria with plants exposed to 1 mg Ni l(-1) or 5 mg P l(-1) and control were arranged in triplicate. Water and plants (aerial parts and roots) were sampled along 30 days. Ni uptake and tissue bioaccumulation kinetics was significantly faster than that of P. Mean root length, number of leaves, biomass and chlorophyll concentration were negatively affected by Ni, while these parameters were significantly increased by P in comparison with the control. Stele and metaxylem vessel cross-sectional areas (CSA) in the P treatment were significantly lower in comparison with that obtained in the Ni treatment and in control. Metaxylem vessels CSA in plants exposed to Ni were significantly higher while the number of vessels was significantly lower than those obtained in the control. Despite the toxic effects, E. crassipes efficiently accumulated Ni, probably due to the morphological plasticity of its root system.

Bioconcentration and phytotoxicity of chromium in Eichhornia crassipes.

Physico-chemical parameter and metal concentration in effluents of two industries i.e. Tannery industry, Jajmau, Kanpur and Electroplating industry, Scooter India Limited (SIL), Lucknow were determined to assess the toxicity of chromium. Metal accumulation in Eichhomia crassipes growing in these contaminated sites were also determined. For laboratory toxicity testing the plants were exposed to nutrient solution containing Cr concentration ranging from 0.01-10 microg ml(-1) for 24-96 hr. Accumulation of chromium was observed to be dependent on its concentration and time of exposure and was greater in roots (789.3 mg g(-1) d.wt.) than in leaves (335.6 mg g(-1) d.wt.) after 96 hrat 10 microg ml(-1) concentration. Under field conditions the accumulation of Cr was 1258 and 733.3 in roots and 94 and 53 microg g(-1) d.wt. in leaves of E. crassipes growing in Jajmau, Kanpur tanning industry and SIL effluents, respectively. It was found that lower doses (0.01-0.1 microg ml(-1)) of chromium had stimulatory effect on various metabolic activities in plants including chlorophyll a, b and total chlorophyll, protein, nitrate reductase and mitotic index. Whereas higher doses of chromium had inhibitory effect. The carotenoid content and number of micronuclei was found directly proportional to the concentration of chromium and increased with increase in concentration of chromium to which plants were exposed. It may be concluded from the present study that E. crassipes is tolerant to the elevated Cr concentration as there is no inhibition of chlorophyll and carotenoid up to 0.1 microg ml(-1) at 24 and 48 hr exhibiting phytotoxicity at higher concentration. Therefore, E. crassipes may be used as bioassay for biomonitoring and control of Cr pollution in the environment.

Toxicological responses of Fe3O4 nanoparticles on Eichhornia crassipes and associated plant transportation.

This work investigated the interaction of Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) with a floating water plant (Eichhornia crassipes). The effects of Fe3O4 NPs on E. crassipes physiology and root morphology as well as the migration and transformation of Fe3O4 NPs in plant were studied emphatically. Fe3O4 NPs (200 mg/L) showed significant growth inhibition on E. crassipes roots and leaves after a 21-day exposure, while dissolved Fe3+ ions and Fe3O4 bulk particles had no obvious effect on E. crassipes growth. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the roots of E. crassipes were significantly damaged, the root tips became thin and the root epidermis began to peel off after Fe3O4 NPs exposure. In addition, there was disordered cell arrangement and a destroyed elongation zone of the root tips. The physiology of E. crassipes was also affected. In particular, after exposure to Fe3O4 NPs (200 mg/L), a distinct decrease in chlorophyll content and catalase activity and an increase of malondialdehyde (MDA) content could be seen. Transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy revealed that Fe3O4 NPs were present in the root epidermis, intercellular space and protoplasts, as well as in the leaf cytoplasm and chloroplasts. Vulcanization in the leaves was also found through diffraction analysis, which may be due to the small number of absorbed nanoparticles, some of which still existed in the original form in the leaves while others were reduced to FeS through interactions with plant components during translocation. These findings are helpful for better understanding the fate of NPs in aquatic plants. Moreover, it is important to evaluate the water environment safety of NPs.

Ecotoxicological effects and accumulation of ciprofloxacin in Eichhornia crassipes under hydroponic conditions.

Antibiotic residues pose a threat to the health of aquatic organisms. The effects and accumulation of antibiotic ciprofloxacin (CIP) in a floating macrophyte (Eichhornia crassipes) under hydroponic conditions were investigated. It was found that E. crassipes exposure to CIP (< 1000 µg L-1) could maintain a stable photosynthesis efficiency. In response to CIP stress, catalase and peroxidase activities of leaves were 7.24-37.51 nmol min-1 g-1 and 98.46-173.16 U g-1, respectively. The presence of CIP did not inhibit the growth of the plant. After 14 days of exposure, tender leaves became white and withered, ascribed to the decline of chlorophyll content and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters. The CIP concentrations, absorbed by E. crassipes, were highest in the roots, followed by white aerial parts and green aerial parts at CIP concentrations of 100 and 1000 µg L-1. These findings demonstrated that E. crassipes could absorb and tolerate CIP in a limited time-scale and imply an alternative solution for phytoremediation in water bodies contaminated with antibiotics.

Effects on Eichhornia crassipes under Zn stress.

Eichhornia crassipes is a macrophyte widely used in phytoremediation, demonstrating a high ability to remove metals from water. The aim of this work was to evaluate its enzymatic detoxification strategies and metal accumulation when it is exposed to different Zn concentrations (0, 2, 4, 6, and 9 ppm) for periods of 24, 48, and 72 h. Zn concentration in roots was significantly higher than in aerial parts. Independently of the treatment, in the first 48 h, concentrations of photosynthetic pigments were not affected. However, a significant increase (between 19 and 34%) in Chl-b concentrations for all treatments was observed at 72 h. Carotenoid concentration was not affected during the first 48 h, while at 72 h, there was a significant increase regarding the control (between 11 and 24%) for all treatments. Malondialdehyde concentration in aerial parts and roots was not affected during the experiment. Nonetheless, a significant increase in the enzymatic activity of the antioxidant system was observed. Results suggest that Zn could have potential antioxidant properties, which may result in the activation of different antioxidant enzymes involved in the protection against metal stress.

Cyanide phytoremediation by water hyacinths (Eichhornia crassipes).

Although cyanide is highly toxic, it is economically attractive for extracting gold from ore bodies containing only a few grams per 1000 kg. Most of the cyanide used in industrial mining is handled without observable devastating consequences, but in informal, small-scale mining, the use is poorly regulated and the waste treatment is insufficient. Cyanide in the effluents from the latter mines could possibly be removed by the water hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes because of its high biomass production, wide distribution, and tolerance to cyanide (CN) and metals. We determined the sodium cyanide phytotoxicity and removal capacity of E. crassipes. Toxicity to 5-50 mg CN L(-1) was quantified by measuring the mean relative transpiration over 96 h. At 5 mgCNL(-1), only a slight reduction in transpiration but no morphological changes were observed. The EC(50) value was calculated by probit analysis to be 13 mgCNL(-1). Spectrophotometric analysis indicated that cyanide at 5.8 and 10 mgL(-1) was completely eliminated after 23-32 h. Metabolism of K(14)CN was measured in batch systems with leaf and root cuttings. Leaf cuttings removed about 40% of the radioactivity from solution after 28 h and 10% was converted to (14)CO(2); root cuttings converted 25% into (14)CO(2) after 48 h but only absorbed 12% in their tissues. The calculated K(m) of the leaf cuttings was 12 mgCNL(-1), and the V(max) was 35 mg CN(kg fresh weight)(-1)h(-1). Our results indicate that E. crassipes could be useful in treating cyanide effluents from small-scale gold mines.

Changes in antioxidant enzyme activities in Eichhornia crassipes (Pontederiaceae) and Pistia stratiotes (Araceae) under heavy metal stress.

Whole plants of Eichhornia crassipes and Pistia stratiotes were exposed to various concentrations (0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 1.0, 3.0 and 5.0 mM) of 8 heavy metals (Ag, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn) hydroponically for 21 days. Spectrometric assays for the total activity of catalase, peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase in the leaves were studied. At the end of the experimental period, data referred to metal treated plants were compared to data of untreated ones (control). Heavy metals increased the activity of catalase, peroxidase and superoxide dismutase in both species and there was differential inducement among metals. Overall, Zn had the least inducement of antioxidant enzymes in both species while Hg had the highest inducement. The increase in antioxidant enzymes in relation to the control plants was more in E. crassipes than P. stratiotes. The results showed that E. crassipes tolerated higher metal concentrations in a greater number of metals than P. stratiotes.

Effects of Lantana camara leaf extract on the activity of superoxide dismutase and accumulation of H2O2 in water hyacinth leaf.

Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is one of the most productive plants, but is also a troublesome weed in the world. In order to protect the public water system from chemical herbicides pollution, biological method has been suggested to control the growth and the reproduction of this weed. Lantana (Lantana camara L.) is an important weed of the family Verbenaceae and its leaf extract is highly toxic to water hyacinth. The results of this study showed that the extract of lantana leaves suppressed the emergence of leaf buds of water hyacinth plant, and caused the decay of its leaves by foliar spraying. In addition, the increase of SOD activity in water hyacinth leaves was in accordance with the accumulation of H(2)O(2) and the increase in degree of membrane peroxidation, while the activity of catalase, which might remove the excessive H(2)O(2) in water hyacinth leaves, was inhibited by treatment with lantana extract. At tissue level, high H(2)O(2) histochemical labeling was detected in guard cells after treatment with lantana extract. This overproduction of H(2)O(2) could kill the leaf cells and cause leaf necrosis in the treated plant. Therefore, the high toxicity of lantana leaf extract to water hyacinth might be due to oxidative stress.