Phytotoxicity and bioaccumulation of copper and chromium using barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.) in spiked artificial and natural forest soils

• Published in: Ecotoxicology and environmental safety Vol. 57; no. 3; pp. 363 - 374
• Main Authors: Ali, Nadia Ait, Ater, Mohammed, Sunahara, Geoffrey I., Robidoux, Pierre Yves
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: San Diego, CA Elsevier Inc 01.03.2004; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; barley; Bioaccumulation; bioavailability; Biological and medical sciences; Biomass; chromium; Chromium - pharmacokinetics; Chromium - toxicity; copper; Copper - pharmacokinetics; Copper - toxicity; Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution; Effects of pollution and side effects of pesticides on plants and fungi; forest soils; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Heavy metals; Hordeum - chemistry; Hordeum vulgare; Hordeum vulgare L; Phytotoxicity; Plant Leaves - chemistry; Plant Roots - growth & development; Risk Assessment; root growth; roots; Seedling emergence; shoots; Soil Pollutants - pharmacokinetics; Soil Pollutants - toxicity; tissue analysis; Tissue Distribution; toxicity testing; Trees; Hordeum vulgare L; Phytotoxicity; Biomass; Seedling emergence; Bioaccumulation; Heavy metals; Life history; Monocotyledones; Ecotoxicology; Hordeum vulgare; Toxicity; Forest soil; Cereal crop; Heavy metal; Seedlings; Gramineae; Angiospermae; Chromium; Environment; Spermatophyta; Biological accumulation; Copper
• ISSN: 0147-6513; 1090-2414
• DOI: 10.1016/S0147-6513(03)00074-5

The toxicities of two heavy metals, copper (Cu 2+) and chromium (Cr 6+), to barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.) were evaluated using two types of substrates: artificial and natural forest soils. Phytotoxicity was assessed using a standardized toxicity test. Endpoints included plant emergence and shoot and root growth. Shoot and root concentrations of Cu and Cr were also measured. Data indicated that the root biomass was the most sensitive endpoint. The results showed that toxicity of Cr to root growth (IC 50=6.6 μg/g in artificial soil; IC 50=61.8 μg/g in forest soil) was higher than that of Cu (IC 50=13.7 μg/g in artificial soil; IC 50>322 μg/g in forest soil). Data also indicated that the toxicity of Cu and Cr was significantly decreased in the spiked forest soil, suggesting lower metal bioavailability to barley in the natural soil. Analysis of tissue concentrations in barley showed that Cu and Cr were mainly accumulated in the roots. Toxicity was correlated with Cr residues in shoots (⩽11.2 μg Cr/g and ⩽5.3 μg Cr/g for artificial and natural soils, respectively) and roots (⩽161 μg Cr/g and ⩽51.7 μg Cr/g for artificial and natural soils, respectively) and Cu residues in roots (⩽61.8 μg Cu/g and ⩽91.3 μg Cu/g for artificial and natural soils, respectively). Cu concentration in shoot tissues was ⩽61.8 μg Cu/g. Since it may overestimate toxicity, effect and risk assessment using spiked soils, particularly in artificial soil, must be used with diligence.