scholarly journals Quantifying Metal Contamination and Potential Uptake by Phragmites australis Adans. (Poaceae) Along a Subtropical River System

Plants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 846
Author(s):  
Ndivhuwo R. Netshiongolwe ◽  
Ross N. Cuthbert ◽  
Mokgale M. Maenetje ◽  
Lenin D. Chari ◽  
Samuel N. Motitsoe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phragmites Australis ◽  
Metal Pollution ◽  
Metal Contamination ◽  
River System ◽  
Aquatic Systems ◽  
Sediment Pollution ◽  
Metal Contaminants ◽  
Pollution Levels ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
High Concentrations

Metal pollution is pervasive across terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems owing to anthropogenic activities. Sediments can accrue high concentrations of metals and act as secondary sources, and thus may be valuable indicators of metal contamination across spatiotemporal scales. In aquatic systems, the extent of metal pollution may be further mediated by transference among sediments and living organisms, with plant metal contaminants potentially predictive of underlying sediment concentrations. The present study thus quantifies the extent of metal pollutants (Na, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn, Mn, B, Fe) across multiple study sites and seasons (cool-dry, hot-wet, hot-dry) in a subtropical river system. Furthermore, uptake by a key macrophyte species, Phragmites australis, was examined and correlated with sediment pollution levels among different plant parts. Overall, sediment pollution load indices differed seasonally, being significantly highest during the cool-dry season irrespective of sampling location, suggesting that periods with reduced water flows can exacerbate metal pollution levels in riverine sediments. Also, metal concentrations were highest in upstream wetland sites, indicating a capacity for metal sink effects in these areas. Overall, macrophytes contained high concentrations of select metals, however composition and concentrations differed across plant parts, with roots containing particularly high concentrations of Fe and B. Correlations between sediment and macrophyte concentrations were mostly non-significant, whilst stem Mn and Fe concentrations correlated significantly negatively and positively to sediment concentrations, respectively. The present study identifies key spatiotemporal differences in multiple metal contaminants in an understudied subtropical aquatic system that align with hydrological regime differences. Whilst macrophytes were not found to be major accumulators, or predictors, of metal contaminants in this study, they may collectively play a central role in concentration regulation in aquatic systems.

Environmental Chemical Behaviour of Metal Contaminants in Aquatic Environments in China

1995 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-24
Author(s):  
J.Y. Liu ◽  
Y.H. Lin ◽  
M.Z. Mao
Keyword(s):  
Sequential Extraction ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Metal Contamination ◽  
Chemical Species ◽  
Aquatic Systems ◽  
Aquatic Environments ◽  
Metal Contaminants ◽  
Environmental Chemical ◽  
Physicochemical Processes ◽  
Chemical Behaviour

Abstract The chemical species of metal contaminants and their transformation in aquatic systems are largely dependent on environmental conditions. This paper reports on some work on metal contamination in a number of rivers in China. Speciation by sequential extraction and some physicochemical processes involving the transformation and transport of metals in the aquatic systems are also reported.

scholarly journals Metallothionein and Glutathione Content as Biomarkers of Metal Pollution in Mussels and Local Fishermen in Abu Qir Bay, Egypt

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (12) ◽  
pp. 50-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aziza A. Saad ◽  
Amany El-Sikaily ◽  
Hany Kassem
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Metal Pollution ◽  
The Body ◽  
Metal Exposure ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Blood Levels ◽  
Industrial Workers ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Abu Qir Bay

Background. When heavy metals accumulate in air, soil, and water, the risk of human exposure increases among industrial workers, as well as in people living near polluted areas. Heavy metals adversely affect a variety of bodily systems such as the cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, immune, and reproductive systems. In addition, long-term exposure and accumulation of heavy metals in the body may disturb oxidative stress genes and thus increase the susceptibility to various diseases. Objectives. The aim of this study is to estimate the metallothionein concentration in both mussel samples from Abu Qir Bay, Egypt and the blood of local fishermen as a biomarker of exposure to metal pollution. Methods. Levels of metallothionein and heavy metals were measured in mussels. Blood levels of metallothionein and heavy metals of local fishermen were measured and compared with a control group. The effect of heavy metal exposure on oxidative stress status was investigated through the determination of malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase and glutathione content. Results. The results of this study showed high concentrations of metallothionein in mussels and in fishermen's blood, accompanied by high concentrations of metals such as cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), and zinc (Zn). At the same time, a significant decrease in glutathione content and catalase enzyme activity was associated with a significant increase in the malondialdehyde concentrations in sera of fishermen. Conclusions. The present study found that the El Maadiya region is polluted with heavy metals, inducing oxidative stress in fishermen in the vicinity. These results reveal the necessity of further environmental monitoring in the study area in order to evaluate other types of pollutants and their effects on human health.

scholarly journals Nitrate-Utilizing Microorganisms Resistant to Multiple Metals from the Heavily Contaminated Oak Ridge Reservation

2019 ◽  
Vol 85 (17) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael P. Thorgersen ◽  
Xiaoxuan Ge ◽  
Farris L. Poole ◽  
Morgan N. Price ◽  
Adam P. Arkin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Metal Contamination ◽  
Nitrate Removal ◽  
Nitrate Contamination ◽  
Contaminated Site ◽  
Sequence Variant ◽  
Oak Ridge ◽  
Global Issue ◽  
16S Rna ◽  
High Concentrations

ABSTRACTContamination of environments with nitrate generated by industrial processes and the use of nitrogen-containing fertilizers is a growing problem worldwide. While nitrate can be removed from contaminated areas by microbial denitrification, nitrate frequently occurs with other contaminants, such as heavy metals, that have the potential to impede the process. Here, nitrate-reducing microorganisms were enriched and isolated from both groundwater and sediments at the Oak Ridge Reservation (ORR) using concentrations of nitrate and metals (Al, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Cd, and U) similar to those observed in a contaminated environment at ORR. Seven new metal-resistant, nitrate-reducing strains were characterized, and their distribution across both noncontaminated and contaminated areas at ORR was examined. While the seven strains have various pH ranges for growth, carbon source preferences, and degrees of resistance to individual and combinations of metals, all were able to reduce nitrate at similar rates both in the presence and absence of the mixture of metals found in the contaminated ORR environment. Four strains were identified in groundwater samples at different ORR locations by exact 16S RNA sequence variant analysis, and all four were found in both noncontaminated and contaminated areas. By using environmentally relevant metal concentrations, we successfully isolated multiple organisms from both ORR noncontaminated and contaminated environments that are capable of reducing nitrate in the presence of extreme mixed-metal contamination.IMPORTANCENitrate contamination is a global issue that affects groundwater quality. In some cases, cocontamination of groundwater with nitrate and mixtures of heavy metals could decrease microbially mediated nitrate removal, thereby increasing the duration of nitrate contamination. Here, we used metal and nitrate concentrations that are present in a contaminated site at the Oak Ridge Reservation to isolate seven metal-resistant strains. All were able to reduce nitrate in the presence of high concentrations of a mixture of heavy metals. Four of seven strains were located in pristine as well as contaminated sites at the Oak Ridge Reservation. Further study of these nitrate-reducing strains will uncover mechanisms of resistance to multiple metals that will increase our understanding of the effect of nitrate and metal contamination on groundwater microbial communities.

Common reed (Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steudel) as a candidate for predicting heavy metal contamination in Lake Burullus, Egypt: A biomonitoring approach

2020 ◽  
Vol 148 ◽  
pp. 105787 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ebrahem M. Eid ◽  
Kamal H. Shaltout ◽  
Yassin M. Al-Sodany ◽  
Soliman A. Haroun ◽  
Tarek M. Galal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Phragmites Australis ◽  
Metal Contamination ◽  
Heavy Metal Contamination ◽  
Common Reed ◽  
Lake Burullus

scholarly journals Response of Cladocera Fauna to Heavy Metal Pollution, Based on Sediments from Subsidence Ponds Downstream of a Mine Discharge (S. Poland)

Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 810 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Pociecha ◽  
Agata Z. Wojtal ◽  
Ewa Szarek-Gwiazda ◽  
Anna Cieplok ◽  
Dariusz Ciszewski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Exchange ◽  
River Flow ◽  
Water Discharge ◽  
Aquatic Systems ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
Alona Affinis ◽  
Mine Discharge ◽  
Invertebrate Assemblages ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
S Poland

Mining is recognized to deeply influence invertebrate assemblages in aquatic systems, but different invertebrates respond in different ways to mining cessation. Here, we document the response of the cladoceran assemblage of the Chechło river, S. Poland (southern Poland) to the cessation of Pb-Zn ore mining. The aquatic system includes the river and associated subsidence ponds in the valley. Some ponds were contaminated during the period of mining, which ceased in 2009, while one of the ponds only appeared after mining had stopped. We used Cladocera to reveal how the cessation of mine water discharge reflected on the structure and density of organisms. A total of 20 Cladocera taxa were identified in the sediment of subsidence ponds. Their density ranged from 0 to 109 ind./1 cm3. The concentrations of Zn, Cd, Cu and Pb were much higher in sediments of the ponds formed during peak mining than in the ponds formed after the closure of the mine. Statistical analysis (CCA) showed that Alonella nana, Alona affinis, Alona sp. and Pleuroxus sp. strongly correlated with pond age and did not tolerate high concentrations of heavy metals (Cu and Cd). This analysis indicated that the rate of water exchange by the river flow and the presence of aquatic plants, affect species composition more than pond age itself.

scholarly journals Genetic Manipulation Of Tomato (Lycopersicon Esculentum) Using Wga Gene Through Agrobacterium Mediated Transformation

1970 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
SL Shantha ◽  
M Padma ◽  
SG Bhat ◽  
C Sunil Kumar ◽  
B Ragavendra Rao
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Manipulation ◽  
Kanamycin Resistance ◽  
Direct Regeneration ◽  
Pcr Analysis ◽  
Leaf Discs ◽  
Pollution Levels ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
Recombinant Vector ◽  
Resistance To Insects ◽  
Cetyl Trimethyl Ammonium

The major problems faced in the field of Agriculture are loss in crop yield caused by insects, Herbs (weeds), viruses and the pathogens and the pests associated loss is about 14% of total agricultural production. The use of pesticides has resulted in adverse effect on the beneficial organisms and other plant parts such as leaves, fruits and has reached pollution levels, which has become a major concern for environmentalists. Therefore, products of crops resistant to insects have been the first priority in crop biotechnology. Genetic transformation has led the possibility of transforming crops for enhanced resistance to insects through the use of insect control protein gene-WGA (Wheat Germ Agglutinin), a glycoprotein with molecular weight of 34000 Da. Toxic effect appears to be mediated through binding of the lectins (WGA) to glycoproteins in the insect leading to the disruption of gut epithelial cells and are believed to be “natures own insecticides”. The present study involves preparation of recombinant pGPTV vector having WGA gene, which was transferred to E. coli DH5α basic strain. The recombinant vector was transferred to Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain LBA4404 using helper strain through triparental mating. The recombinant vector having Agrobacterium was infected with tomato leaf discs through co-cultivation and the leaf discs were transferred to selection media containing Kanamycin and direct regeneration of the plantlet were obtained from the leaf discs. The npt-II gene (Kanamycin resistance gene) serves as a selectable marker system in plants. The regenerated plantlets grown on selection media was subjected to primary screening by isolating the genomic DNA by CTAB (Cetyl Trimethyl Ammonium Buffer) method and the transformation was confirmed by the presence of amplified fragments of WGA gene by PCR analysis. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kuset.v8i1.6041 KUSET 2012; 8(1): 36-43

scholarly journals Unique and highly specific cyanogenic glycoside localization in stigmatic cells and pollen in the genus Lomatia (Proteaceae)

2020 ◽  
Vol 126 (3) ◽  
pp. 387-400
Author(s):  
Edita Ritmejerytė ◽  
Berin A Boughton ◽  
Michael J Bayly ◽  
Rebecca E Miller
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry Imaging ◽  
Chemical Defence ◽  
Ionization Mass ◽  
Congeneric Species ◽  
Substantial Variation ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Strategic Allocation ◽  
Defence Strategies ◽  
Constitutive Defence

Abstract Background and Aims Floral chemical defence strategies remain understudied despite the significance of flowers to plant fitness, and the fact that many flowers contain secondary metabolites that confer resistance to herbivores. Optimal defence and apparency theories predict that the most apparent plant parts and/or those most important to fitness should be most defended. To test whether within-flower distributions of chemical defence are consistent with these theories we used cyanogenic glycosides (CNglycs), which are constitutive defence metabolites that deter herbivores by releasing hydrogen cyanide upon hydrolysis. Methods We used cyanogenic florets of the genus Lomatia to investigate at what scale there may be strategic allocation of CNglycs in flowers, what their localization reveals about function, and whether levels of floral CNglycs differ between eight congeneric species across a climatic gradient. Within-flower distributions of CNglycs during development were quantified, CNglycs were identified and their localization was visualized in cryosectioned florets using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI). Key Results Florets of all congeneric species studied were cyanogenic, and concentrations differed between species. Within florets there was substantial variation in CNglyc concentrations, with extremely high concentrations (up to 14.6 mg CN g−1 d. wt) in pollen and loose, specialized surface cells on the pollen presenter, among the highest concentrations reported in plant tissues. Two tyrosine-derived CNglycs, the monoglycoside dhurrin and diglycoside proteacin, were identified. MALDI-MSI revealed their varying ratios in different floral tissues; proteacin was primarily localized to anthers and ovules, and dhurrin to specialized cells on the pollen presenter. The mix of transient specialized cells and pollen of L. fraxinifolia was ~11 % dhurrin and ~1.1 % proteacin by mass. Conclusions Tissue-specific distributions of two CNglycs and substantial variation in their concentrations within florets suggests their allocation is under strong selection. Localized, high CNglyc concentrations in transient cells challenge the predictions of defence theories, and highlight the importance of fine-scale metabolite visualization, and the need for further investigation into the ecological and metabolic roles of CNglycs in floral tissues.

scholarly journals Heavy Metal Contamination of Soils around a Hospital Waste Incinerator Bottom Ash Dumps Site

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Adama ◽  
R. Esena ◽  
B. Fosu-Mensah ◽  
D. Yirenya-Tawiah
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Metal Contamination ◽  
Heavy Metal Contamination ◽  
Bottom Ash ◽  
Waste Incineration ◽  
Waste Incinerator ◽  
Hospital Waste ◽  
Dump Site ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Health Care Waste

Waste incineration is the main waste management strategy used in treating hospital waste in many developing countries. However, the release of dioxins, POPs, and heavy metals in fly and bottom ash poses environmental and public health concerns. To determine heavy metal (Hg, Pb, Cd, Cr, and Ag) in levels in incinerator bottom ash and soils 100 m around the incinerator bottom ash dump site, ash samples and surrounding soil samples were collected at 20 m, 40 m, 60 m, 80 m, 100 m, and 1,200 m from incinerator. These were analyzed using the absorption spectrophotometer method. The geoaccumulation (Igeo) and pollution load indices (PLI) were used to assess the level of heavy metal contamination of surrounding soils. The study revealed high concentrations in mg/kg for, Zn (16417.69), Pb (143.80), Cr (99.30), and Cd (7.54) in bottom ash and these were above allowable limits for disposal in landfill. The study also found soils within 60 m radius of the incinerator to be polluted with the metals. It is recommended that health care waste managers be educated on the implication of improper management of incinerator bottom ash and regulators monitor hospital waste incinerator sites.

Antioxidant response to metal pollution in Phragmites australis from Anzali wetland

2017 ◽  
Vol 119 (1) ◽  
pp. 376-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marjan Esmaeilzadeh ◽  
Abdolreza Karbassi ◽  
Kazem Darvish Bastami
Keyword(s):  
Phragmites Australis ◽  
Metal Pollution ◽  
Antioxidant Response ◽  
Anzali Wetland
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