RESUMO
Hg and As resistance and bioaccumulation were studied in hydroponically grown Pistacia lentiscus and Tamarix gallica plants. Both elements caused growth inhibition in roots and shoots, with mercury showing greater phytotoxicity than arsenic. Accumulation of both elements by plants increased in response to element supply, with the greatest uptake found in T. gallica. Both elements affected P and Mn status in plants, reduced chlorophyll a concentration and increased MDA and thiol levels. These stress indices showed good correlations with As and Hg concentration in plant tissues, especially in the roots. Toxic responses to mercury were more evident than for arsenic, especially in shoot tissues. T. gallica showed higher resistance to both Hg and As than P. lentiscus, as well accumulating more As and Hg.
Assuntos
Arsênio/toxicidade , Mercúrio/toxicidade , Pistacia/efeitos dos fármacos , Tamaricaceae/efeitos dos fármacos , Poluentes Químicos da Água/toxicidade , Arsênio/metabolismo , Clorofila/metabolismo , Peroxidação de Lipídeos/efeitos dos fármacos , Manganês/metabolismo , Mercúrio/metabolismo , Fósforo/metabolismo , Pistacia/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Pistacia/metabolismo , Raízes de Plantas/efeitos dos fármacos , Raízes de Plantas/metabolismo , Brotos de Planta/efeitos dos fármacos , Brotos de Planta/metabolismo , Estresse Fisiológico , Tamaricaceae/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Tamaricaceae/metabolismoRESUMO
Mercury is a widely distributed environmental pollutant, able to induce toxicity in living organisms, including higher plants. Some plant species are able to grow in mine sites, like the Almadén zone in Spain. Our study focus on two of these plant species, Rumex induratus and Marrubium vulgare and their responses to natural Hg exposure. Total Hg concentration in the soil below the plants could be classified as toxic, although the available fraction was low. Hg availability was higher for the M. vulgare than for the R. induratus plot. Hg concentrations in field plants of R. induratus and M. vulgare grown on these soils can be considered as phytotoxic, although no symptoms of Hg toxicity were observed in any of them. According to the BAF ([Hg](tissue)/[Hg](avail)), R. induratus showed a higher ability in Hg uptake and translocation to shoots, as well as higher concentrations of MDA and -SH:Hg ratios, so that this plant is more sensitive to Hg than M. vulgare. The resistance to Hg and the capability to extract Hg from the soil make both M. vulgare and R. induratus good candidates for Hg phytoremediation of contaminated soils.
