Effects of lead on anatomy, ultrastructure and concentration of nutrients in plants Oxycaryum cubense (Poep. & Kunth) Palla: a species with phytoremediator potential in contaminated watersheds

• Published in: Environmental science and pollution research international 2014-05, Vol.21 (10), p.6558-6570
• Main Authors: Alves, Laize Queiroz, de Jesus, Raildo Mota, de Almeida, Alex-Alan Furtado, Souza, Vânia Lima, Mangabeira, Pedro Antônio Oliveira
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: absorption; anthropogenic activities; Anthropogenic factors; Aquatic ecosystems; Aquatic environment; Aquatic plants; Aquatic Pollution; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Biodegradation, Environmental; Chloroplasts; Cyperaceae - anatomy & histology; Cyperaceae - drug effects; Cyperaceae - ultrastructure; Dietary minerals; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecotoxicology; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Health; environmental impact; Epidermis; epidermis (plant); Ethanol; Heavy metals; Hydroponics; Lead; Lead - toxicity; Leaves; Metals; mineral content; Nutrients; Oxycaryum cubense; Phytoremediation; Plant cells; Plant Leaves - chemistry; Plant Roots - anatomy & histology; Plant Roots - drug effects; Plant Roots - ultrastructure; Plant tissues; Pollutants; Research Article; root systems; Roots; Soil Pollutants - analysis; Soil Pollutants - toxicity; spectrometers; Thylakoids; Toxicity; Translocation; Transmission electron microscopy; Ultrastructure; Waste Water Technology; Water Management; Water Pollutants, Chemical - toxicity; Water Pollution Control; Watersheds
• ISSN: 0944-1344; 1614-7499
• DOI: 10.1007/s11356-014-2549-9

Lead (Pb) has been highlighted as a major pollutant of both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, causing negative impacts to these environments. The concentration of Pb in plants has increased in recent decades, mainly due to anthropogenic activities. This study has as a hypothesis that the species Oxycaryum cubense (Poep. & Kunth) Palla, abundant in aquatic environments, has the potential to be used a phytoremediator. The plants were grown in a hydroponic system with Pb in increasing concentrations (0, 4, 8, 16 and 32 mg l⁻¹) for 15 days. Inductively coupled mass spectrometer (ICP OES) was used to determine the concentration of mineral nutrients and lead. Optical and transmission electron microscopy were used for the analysis of cellular damage induced by lead in roots and leaves. Ultrastructural alterations were observed as disorganization of thylakoids in the chloroplast and disruption of mitochondrial membranes in cells of leaf tissues of plants subjected to increasing Pb concentrations. There was accumulation of Pb, especially in the root system, affecting the absorption and translocation of some mineral nutrients analysed. In roots, there was reduction in the thickness of the epidermis in plants treated with Pb. This species was shown to be tolerant to the Pb concentrations evaluated, compartmentalizing and accumulating Pb mainly in roots. Due to these results, it may be considered a species with phytoremediation capacity for Pb, with potential rizofiltration of this metallic element in contaminated watersheds.