Sorption of cadmium and effects on growth, protein content, and photosynthetic pigment composition of Nasturtium officinale R. Br. and Mentha aquatica L.

2003

E01102

A study was carried out to investigate the short-term uptake of Cd by N. officinale and M. aquatica, cultured aseptically for 7, 14 and 28 days in 8 beherglasses containing 500 ml solution in the absence (distilled water) or in the presence of 0.5, 1.0 and 5.0 ppm Cd. After 14 days, 2 plants were removed from each beherglass to measure the levels of protein and chlorophyll, and sorption of Cd. The remaining Cd-contaminated (14 days) plants were then kept in clean water (2 plants for each concentration) and modified Hoagland solution (by diluting it 10-fold with distilled water) for 7 and 14 days. For each exposure period and concentration, 2 plants were analysed to determine Cd, protein and chlorophyll concentrations, and for morphological observations. Protein and chlorophyll concentrations in N. officinale and M. aquatica leaves decreased significantly after exposure to 1.0 and 5.0 ppm Cd, the highest protein decrease occurred in M. aquatica. The highest chlorophyll and biomass decreases also occurred in M. aquatica after exposure to 1.0 and 5.0 ppm Cd. Protein and chlorophyll syntheses in the leaves due to 14 days of Cd exposure were normalized in N. officinale and M. aquatica after Hoagland treatment. Plants treated with higher concentrations of Cd usually become stunted in growth, the leaves are smaller, curled and chlorotic, and leaf margins and veins show a red-brown colouration. The first signs of toxic effects were noted in both N. officinale and M. aquatica exposed to 1.0 ppm Cd. The most conclusive evidence of damage was found for 5.0 ppm Cd solution, where N. officinale and M. aquatica samples had predominant damage at 14 days.

v.71(2):323-329, BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY

Research > Published Articles