Copper Uptake Efficiency and Its Distribution Within Bioenergy Grass Giant Reed

• Published in: Bulletin of environmental contamination and toxicology 2015-10, Vol.95 (4), p.452-458
• Main Authors: Elhawat, N., Alshaal, T., Domokos-Szabolcsy, É., El-Ramady, H., Antal, G., Márton, L., Czakó, M., Balogh, P., Fári, M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aquatic Pollution; Arundo donax; Bioaccumulation; Biodegradation, Environmental; Biological magnification; Biomass; Copper; Copper - metabolism; Copper - toxicity; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecotoxicology; Ecotypes; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Health; Grasses; Phytoremediation; Plant Roots - drug effects; Plant Roots - metabolism; Poaceae - drug effects; Poaceae - metabolism; Pollution; Soil Science & Conservation; Toxicity; Waste Water Technology; Water Management; Water Pollution Control
• ISSN: 0007-4861; 1432-0800
• DOI: 10.1007/s00128-015-1622-5

To evaluate copper uptake and its toxicity on bioenergy grass giant reed ( Arundo donax L.), experiments were carried out using two epigenetic clonal lines – American (BL) and Hungarian (20SZ) ecotypes – grown on elevated Cu concentrations up to 26.8 mg L −1 . Neither ecotype showed any noticeable foliar symptoms of Cu toxicity at concentrations tested up to 10 mg L −1 . Dry mass of plants of both ecotypes significantly increased at the highest Cu treatment compared to control. Although the BL ecotype had greater capacity to uptake Cu than 20SZ, the dry mass and shoot length of BL was higher than that of 20SZ. Values of bioconcentration and transportation factors were higher in the BL than in the 20SZ ecotype. Almost 45 % of total Cu content within the whole plant was found in the plant root of both ecotypes. This demonstrated both ecotypes can be utilized for Cu phytoremediation alongside with significant biomass production.