Arsenic- and mercury-induced phytotoxicity in the Mediterranean shrubs Pistacia lentiscus and Tamarix gallica grown in hydroponic culture

• Published in: Ecotoxicology and environmental safety Vol. 72; no. 6; pp. 1781 - 1789
• Main Authors: Moreno-Jiménez, E., Esteban, E., Carpena-Ruiz, R.O., Peñalosa, J.M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Inc 01.09.2009
• Subjects: Arsenic; Arsenic - metabolism; Arsenic - toxicity; Bioaccumulation; Biomarkers; Chlorophyll - metabolism; Chlorophylls; Correlation; Lipid peroxidation; Lipid Peroxidation - drug effects; Manganese - metabolism; Mercury; Mercury - metabolism; Mercury - toxicity; P. lentiscus; Phosphorus - metabolism; Phytoaccumulation; Phytotoxicity; Pistacia - drug effects; Pistacia - growth & development; Pistacia - metabolism; Plant Roots - drug effects; Plant Roots - metabolism; Plant Shoots - drug effects; Plant Shoots - metabolism; Plants (organisms); Roots; Stress concentration; Stress, Physiological; T. gallica; Tamaricaceae - drug effects; Tamaricaceae - growth & development; Tamaricaceae - metabolism; Total thiols; Water Pollutants, Chemical - toxicity; T. gallica; Total thiols; Phytotoxicity; Arsenic; Biomarkers; Lipid peroxidation; Phytoaccumulation; P. lentiscus; Mercury
• ISSN: 0147-6513; 1090-2414
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2009.04.022

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.