Review
Environmental Sciences
Zhongping Yang, Xuyong Li, Yao Wang, Jiazhuo Chang, Xinrong Liu
Summary: The study revealed a serious accumulation of potentially toxic trace elements in urban topsoil in China, with Cd and Hg pollution being particularly severe. Pollution patterns varied across regions, but remained consistent within the same region and nationally over time.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Magdalena Senze, Monika Kowalska-Goralska, Katarzyna Czyz
Summary: A laboratory experiment was conducted to investigate the bioaccumulation of metals in aquatic plants as biosorbents in relation to water pH variation. Two types of plants, branched bur-reed-Sparganium erectum L. and river water-crowfoot-Ranunculus fluitans Wimm., were selected. The results showed that the bioaccumulation varied depending on the plant species and water pH conditions. This study provides insights into the selective metal accumulation capability of specific plant species in different pH ranges.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fabrizio Pietrini, Laura Passatore, Serena Carloni, Lorenzo Massimi, Maria Luisa Astolfi, Chiara Giusto, Massimo Zacchini
Summary: Environmental pollution caused by heavy metals is a significant threat to the environment and human health. Using safer substitutes for toxic heavy metals, like Bi instead of Pb, is a potential solution. However, there is limited research on the effects of Bi on living organisms, especially plants. This study found that Bi has a toxic effect on plant growth, reduces chlorophyll and carotenoid content, impairs nitrogen balance, and affects the photosynthetic machinery.
FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Ilker Ugulu, Zafar Iqbal Khan, Abdulwahed Fahad Alrefaei, Shehnaz Bibi, Kafeel Ahmad, Hafsa Memona, Shahzadi Mahpara, Naunain Mehmood, Mikhlid Hammad Almutairi, Aima Iram Batool, Asma Ashfaq, Ijaz Rasool Noorka
Summary: The study aimed to assess the heavy metal contents in water-soil-coriander samples from an industrial wastewater irrigated area and their health risks to consumers. The results showed that the concentrations of all metals were higher than the permissible limits, with Cd, Zn, Mn, Fe, Cu, and Ni posing significant health risks. Regular monitoring of vegetables irrigated with wastewater is strongly recommended to minimize health hazards.
Article
Nuclear Science & Technology
Huynh Truc Phuong, Vu Ngoc Ba, Bui Ngoc Thien, Loan Truong Thi Hong
Summary: This study conducted neutron activation analysis and gamma spectrometry on the stems, roots, and leaves of vegetables. The results showed that the accumulation of radionuclides and multi-elements in plants depended on the plant type and parts. The activity concentrations of 226Ra and 232Th followed the order: Roots > Stems > Leaves. The highest concentrations of 40K and 210Pb were found in the stems and leaves, respectively. The essential nutrient requirements of plants were ranked as: K > Ca > Mg > Fe > Zn > Mn. Among the non-essential metals, the concentration of Na in vegetable samples was much higher than others. The K/Na ratio in plants varied depending on the plant type and translocation within the plant.
NUCLEAR ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Priscila Bassi Penteado, Danilo Covaes Nogarotto, Julia Perilo Baltazar, Simone Andrea Pozza, Felippe Benavente Canteras
Summary: This article reviewed the contamination by trace elements in urban topsoils in 31 cities in Latin America and analyzed the factors influencing the contamination levels. The study found variations in methodology, with vehicular traffic and industrial emissions being major sources of contamination. It also identified gaps in the literature and made suggestions for future studies.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Stephen R. Conrad, Shane A. White, Isaac R. Santos, Christian J. Sanders
Summary: Industrial horticulture in subtropical Australia can lead to soil contamination with pesticides and trace metals, posing a threat to soil invertebrates and nutrient recycling. Arsenic contamination was found in dam sediments from former banana cultivation areas, possibly originating from pesticide use. Dam sediment cores in all sites had mercury contents exceeding guidelines, likely due to fungicides or fertilizer impurities.
ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Marina Lima Nogueira, Marcia Eugenia Amaral Carvalho, Joao Marcos Martins Ferreira, Leticia Aparecida Bressanin, Katherine Derlene Batagin Piotto, Fernando Angelo Piotto, Deyvid Novaes Marques, Sandro Barbosa, Ricardo Antunes Azevedo
Summary: This study investigated the transgenerational effects of Cd on plants, revealing that Cd can affect the growth, pigment content, and biomass production of plant offspring. The findings suggest a hormetic effect of Cd induction and the importance of root signals in Cd-induced transgenerational effects.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Adrienn Horvath, Peter Csaki, Renata Szita, Peter Kalicz, Zoltan Gribovszki, Andras Bidlo, Bernadett Bolodar-Varga, Pal Balazs, Daniel Winkler
Summary: The present study in a mid-sized Hungarian city aimed to monitor and assess soil contamination levels, revealing that the average soil contamination was higher in 2011 compared to 2018. The analysis of soil microarthropod communities showed that higher concentrations of Cu, Zn, and Pb were associated with lower taxonomic richness, diversity, and QBS-ar index.
Article
Plant Sciences
Isabella Bettarini, Cristina Gonnelli, Federico Selvi, Andrea Coppi, Luigia Pazzagli, Ilaria Colzi
Summary: The study found that nickel has a stimulatory effect on plant growth in Odontarrhena populations, and tolerance is positively correlated with nickel accumulation.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lucas Aparecido Rosa Leite, Beatriz Narciso Agostinho, Sarah Leticia Paiva Oliveira, Walter dos Reis Pedreira Filho, Rodney Kozlowiski de Azevedo, Vanessa Doro Abdallah
Summary: This study evaluated the potential for trace metal accumulation of the acanthocephalan parasite Floridosentis mugilis, which infects the fish host Mugil curema, in an estuarine canal in southeast Brazil. The study found significantly different trace metal concentrations between the parasites and the host's tissues, with some metals showing high bioconcentration factors. The size of the parasitic infrapopulations also influenced the trace metal concentrations in the parasites.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kamran Zare, Vahideh Sheykhi, Zahra Mokhtari, Mohammad Zare
Summary: This study investigates the level of toxic trace elements in the rhizosphere soil and tissues of five native plants growing in Maharlu Lake wetland in Southern Iran. The results indicate that some TTE concentrations in the rhizosphere soil are problematic and the accumulation in plant tissues is plant-specific. Moreover, Halopeplis sp. shows potential for phytoextraction of Cd and Mo in contaminated wetlands.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOREMEDIATION
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Samaneh Torbati, Behrooz Atashbar Kangarloei, Alireza Khataee
Summary: The study investigated heavy metal contaminations in water and sediments of the Golmarz wetland in northwestern Iran, showing no contamination in water but high levels of Se and As in sediments. Plants like Typha latifoila, Panicum maximum, and Scirpus lacustris have shown potential for bioaccumulation and phytoremediation of heavy metals in the environment, with high activity of antioxidant enzymes and phenol and flavonoids indicating plants' defense mechanisms against heavy metal pollution.
ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
(2021)
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Marcia E. A. Carvalho, Evgenios Agathokleous, Marina L. Nogueira, Gustavo Brunetto, Patrick H. Brown, Ricardo A. Azevedo
Summary: This review analyzes the impacts of Cd on seed germination and seedling vigor and the use of priming agents to mitigate these impacts. Results show that seed endurance to Cd exposure varies among species, with some seeds maintaining or improving their germination and vigor. Factors influencing seed tolerance include temporal variations in anatomical, physiological, and biochemical features. Cd can also have transgenerational effects on plants by affecting seed endophytes, provisioning of resources and regulatory elements, and seed (epi)genomics. Different priming agents can mitigate Cd-induced impacts on seeds, sometimes even enhancing their performance. Overall, understanding plant tolerance mechanisms against Cd pollution is important for breeding programs, agriculture, and environmental policies.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mathiyazhagan Narayanan, Ying Ma
Summary: Heavy metal contamination is a significant constraint to plant quality and yield, and counteracting it requires complex mechanisms at various levels. Both essential and non-essential elements have harmful impacts on plants, leading to reduced biomass production, growth inhibition, and even plant death. Understanding metal toxicity, stress, and tolerance mechanisms is crucial for developing environmentally friendly bioremediation techniques.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)