Phytoextraction of arsenic forms in selected tree species growing in As-polluted mining sludge.

The aim of this study was to determine the phytoextraction of inorganic (As(III), As(V)) and organic arsenic (Asorg) forms in six tree species: Acer platanoides, Acer pseudoplatanus, Betula pendula, Quercus robur, Tilia cordata and Ulmus laevis. Plants were grown in a pot experiment using As-polluted mining sludge for 90 days. Arsenic (Astotal) was accumulated mainly in the roots of all six tree species, which were generally thinner, shorter and/or black after the experiment. The highest concentration of As(III) and As(V) was determined in the roots of A. pseudoplatanus and A. platanoides (174 and 420 mg kg-1, respectively). High concentrations of As(III) were also recorded in the shoots of B. pendula (11.9 mg kg-1) and As(V) in the aerial parts of U. laevis and A. pseudoplatanus (77.4 and 70.1 mg kg-1). With some exceptions, the dominant form in the tree organs was Asorg, present in mining sludge in low concentration. This form has a decisive influence on As phytoextraction by young tree seedlings even though its BCF value was the only one lower than 1. The obtained results highlight the important role of speciation studies in assessing the response of plants growing in heavily polluted mining sludge.

Differences in Cu content in selected mushroom species growing in the same unpolluted areas in Poland.

The aim of the study was to estimate copper (Cu) accumulation efficiency in whole-fruiting bodies of 18 edible and non-edible wild growing mushrooms collected from 27 places in the Wielkopolska Voivodeship. Mushrooms were collected each time from the same places to estimate the diversity in Cu accumulation between tested mushroom species within 3 consecutive years of study (2011-2013). The study results revealed various accumulation of Cu in the whole-tested mushroom fruiting bodies. The highest mean accumulation of Cu was observed in Macrolepiota procera (119.4 ± 20.0 mg kg(-1) dm), while the lowest was in Suillus luteus and Russula fellea fruiting bodies (16.1 ± 3.0 and 18.8 ± 4.6 mg kg(-1) dm, respectively). Significant differences in Cu accumulation between mushroom species collected in 2011 and in the two following years (2012 and 2013) were observed. The results indicated that sporadic consumption of these mushrooms was not related to excessive intake of Cu for the human body (no toxic influence on health).

Efficacy of supplementation of selected medicinal mushrooms with inorganic selenium salts.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the possibility of supplementation with inorganic forms of selenium (Na2SeO4 and Na2SeO3) in concentrations of 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0 and 1.5 mM of three medicinal mushroom species: Agrocybe aegerita, Hericium erinaceus and Ganoderma lucidum. Tested mushroom species grew in Se additions of 0-0.6 mM (A. aegerita and H. erinaceus), while growth of G. lucidum bodies was observed for 0-0.8 mM. For the latter mushroom species, the total Se content was the highest. Content of Seorg was diverse; for control bodies it was the highest for G. lucidum (only organic forms were present), lower for A. aegerita (84% organic forms) and the lowest for H. erinaceus (56% organic forms). Accumulation of Se(IV) was generally significantly higher than Se(VI) for all tested mushroom species. There was no significant decrease of A. aegerita or G. lucidum biomass with the exception of G. lucidum bodies growing under 0.8 mM of Se species addition (15.51 ± 6.53 g). Biomass of H. erinaceus bodies was the highest under 0.2 (197.04 ± 8.73 g), control (191.80 ± 6.06 g) and 0.1 mM (185.04 ± 8.73 g) of both inorganic salts. The addition to the medium of Se salts brought about macroscopic changes in the fruiting bodies of the examined mushrooms. Concentrations exceeding 0.4 mM caused diminution of carpophores or even their total absence. In addition, colour changes of fruiting bodies were also recorded. At Se concentrations of 0.4 and 0.6 mM, A. aegerita fruiting bodies were distinctly lighter and those of H. erinaceus changed colour from purely white to white-pink.

Accumulation of elements by edible mushroom species: part I. Problem of trace element toxicity in mushrooms.

The aim of this study was to evaluate Cd, Co, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Sr and Zn accumulation in six edible mushroom species and to assess their risk and benefits to human consumers. Mushrooms (Leccinium aurantiacum, Xerocomus badius, Lactarius deliciosus, Boletus edulis, Cantharellus cibarius and Suillus luteus) were collected from selected regions of Poland during 1990-2010. The highest diversity between studied mushroom species was observed in terms of Cu and Zn accumulation. Significant differences in the accumulation efficiency were found among the six mushroom species examined. The most efficient were Boletus edulis (Cd and Hg), Suillus luteus (Cu and Sr), and Lactarius deliciosus (Pb and Zn). In the case of Co and Ni, the most effective were Xerocomus badius and Leccinium aurantiacum, respectively. The calculated bioconcentration factor (BCF) values of Cd, Cu, Hg, Sr and Zn were > 1 for all species in this study while Co, Ni and Pb usually were bioexcluded (BCF < 1). Additionally, based on the calculated daily intake rates of trace elements determined it can be concluded that occasional consumption of fruiting bodies of L. aurantiacum, X. badius, L. deliciosus, B. edulis, C. cibarius and S. luteus collected in Poland is safe and this finding largely agrees with results from recent studies by other authors.

Physiological and morphological changes in Salix viminalis L. as a result of plant exposure to copper.

The aim of this study was to assess the response of Salix viminalis L. under model conditions to different copper concentrations and, as a consequence, potential application of the experimental results in decontamination of water with heavy metal ions (phytoaccumlation). The 14-day experiment was conducted on one-year-old cuttings of Salix viminalis L. 'Cannabina' exposed, in a phytotron, to six different copper levels in hydroponic pots. The results showed that the capacity to accumulate heavy metals was of the following order: roots > rods > shoots > leaves. The linear relationships between the accumulation efficiency of particular Salix parts were confirmed. Together with an increase in copper sorption in above-ground organs, a decrease was observed in root biomass and the length of roots, shoots and leaves. The release of low molecular weight organic acids into solution was different under various Cu levels. Glucose, fructose and sucrose contents in leaves of Salix in all treatments were higher than in control plants. Higher concentration of sugars (4 times higher compared to the control) was detected for fructose in a 2 mM Cu treatment. The total phenolics content rapidly increased only at 3 mM Cu level. Free and total salicylic acid and the glutathione contents in plants treated with copper in relation to the control were always higher and changed with increasing concentration of copper ions in the medium.

Effect of different soil conditions on selected heavy metal accumulation by Salix viminalis tissues.

This investigation was undertaken to determine efficiency of selected heavy metal ions by different Salix viminalis tissues in relation to local physicochemical parameters. Seven heavy metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) were analyzed in 5 types of tissues (bark, root, shoots, leaves and petioles). The results presented here show different accumulation rates of tested metals in individual tissues depending on location and soil characteristics. A similar trend in the accumulation of elements in leaves and petioles was observed except for zinc and chromium. The quantities of heavy metals in shoots indicate their limited migration in plant (especially lead and cadmium). In contrast high levels of zinc in leaves were observed, which suggests strong migration of this metal to upper parts of plants. Analyzed willows were characterized by selective accumulation of ions of investigated heavy metals, with different metal migration abilities depending on location (soil properties e.g. limited migration of lead and intensive migration of cadmium and zinc to aboveground organs). A correlation between metal accumulation in the tissue and soil factors (pH, redox potential, total organic carbon) was observed. The total accumulation and translocation of heavy metal ions (especially chromium) depend on soil parameters and to some extent wood structure (cellulose, lignin).

Concentration of selected trace elements in Xerocomus badius mushroom bodies - a health risk for humans?

INTRODUCTION: As regards a significant intake of wild growing edible mushrooms, especially in East and Central Europe, concentrations of toxic elements should be periodically analysed. The aim of the study was to assess changes in concentrations of selected trace elements (Ba, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr and Zn) in a mushroom species, Xerocomus badius. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Xerocomus badius fruiting bodies were collected from fi ve regions of Poland within the last 20 years (selected years when these mushrooms were growing). Flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) was used for determination of 10 elements while for Hg cold vapour atomic absorption spectrometry (CVAAS) was used. RESULTS: Generally the results show no significant differences in the accumulation efficiency of individual elements by mushrooms collected from different regions of Poland, but significant differences were observed in the accumulation efficiency of these elements by mushrooms collected in particular years of their harvest. The highest accumulation indicated by bioconcentration factors (BCFs) was observed for Cu (10.03), Hg (148.15) and Zn (4.88). CONCLUSION: Concentrations of Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn in the tested mushrooms were found to be lower than the values of the recommended dietary allowances (RDA), therefore the levels of these elements are not toxic for people. In our opinion, occasional consumption of these mushroom fruiting bodies within the last 20 years in Poland did not provide significant amounts of analysed trace elements (no more than other foods).