Inhibition Effect on the Allium cepa L. Root Growth When Using Hexavalent Chromium-Doped River Waters

• Published in: Bulletin of environmental contamination and toxicology 2009-06, Vol.82 (6), p.767-771
• Main Authors: Espinoza-Quiñones, F. R, Szymanski, N, Palácio, S. M, Módenes, A. N, Rizzutto, M. A, Silva, F. G. Jr, Oliveira, A. P, Oro, A. C. P, Martin, N
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Allium cepa; Aquatic ecosystems; Aquatic Pollution; Chromium; Chromium - pharmacology; Chromium - toxicity; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecotoxicology; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Health; Freshwater; Onions - drug effects; Onions - growth & development; Plant growth; Plant Roots - drug effects; Plant Roots - growth & development; Pollution; Riparian ecology; Rivers; Rivers - chemistry; Soil Science & Conservation; Toxicity Tests - methods; Toxicology; Waste Water Technology; Water Management; Water Pollution; Water Pollution Control
• ISSN: 0007-4861; 1432-0800
• DOI: 10.1007/s00128-009-9682-z

The effect of Cr⁶⁺ on Allium cepa root length was studied using both clean and polluted river waters. Seven series of Cr⁶⁺-doped polluted and non-polluted river waters were used to grow onions. Chromium concentration (Cr⁶⁺) of 4.2 mg L⁻¹(EC₅₀ value), doped in clean river water caused a 50% reduction of root length, while in organically polluted samples similar root growth inhibition occurred at 12.0 mg Cr⁶⁺ L⁻¹. The results suggested that there was a dislocation to higher values in toxic chromium concentration in polluted river water due to the eutrophization level of river water.