Assessing Heavy Metal Bioaccumulation in Freshwater Fish at the Gingee River in Puducherry, India

Heavy metal bioaccumulation was investigated in fish from the Gingee river in Vadamangalam and Ariankuppam in the Puducherry area, including mercury (Hg), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) (Cu). According to the study, heavy metal concentrations in sediments were more significant than in water. Depending on the season, the amount of heavy metal played at each location changes. Heavy metal bioaccumulation was seen in river fish. Metal concentrations have been detected in the following order: sediment > fishes > water.

Metal bioaccumulation, translocation and phytoremediation potential of some woody species at mine tailings

This study aimed to determine the concentrations of ten metals (Mn, Ni, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cr, Pb, Cd, Cu) in the soil at depths of 10 and 20 cm and selected plant species (Populus nigra L., Fraxinus ornus L., Salix alba L., Salix caprea L.), as well as to assess the ability of these plants of metal bioaccumulation, translocation and phytoremediation on the location of the mine pit and flotation tailings of the selected mine (in the center of the Republic of Serbia). The concentrations of Pb and Cu in the investigated soil at a depth of 10 cm were above remediation values stated in the regulations of the Republic of Serbia. At the same time, the concentration of Cd, Cr, Pb and Cu was above the limit values in both of the examined soil depths, while Ni in the soil at a depth of 10 cm was above the limit value determined in the Directives of the European Union. The species F. ornus shows the ability to phytoextract Ca, species P. nigra Zn, Ca and Cd, while both Salix species have the capacity to phytoextract Zn and Ca. The results showed that species S. alba is an efficient bioaccumulator of Mn, Fe, Cr, Pb, Zn and Ca, S. caprea of Fe, Cu, Cr, Mg and Pb, and P. nigra of Mn and Cd. The bioaccumulation and translocation of the investigated elements depend on plant species and their organ. The selection of plant species adequate for remediation should take this into account.

Metal bioaccumulation alleviates the negative effects of herbivory on plant growth

Metalliferous soils can selectively shape plant species’ physiology towards tolerance of high metal concentrations that are usually toxic to organisms. Some adapted plant species tolerate and accumulate metal in their tissues. These metals can serve as an elemental defence but can also decrease growth. Our investigation explored the capacity of natural metal accumulation in a tropical tree species, Eremanthus erythropappus (Asteraceae) and the effects of such bioaccumulation on plant responses to herbivory. Seedlings of E. erythropappus were grown in a glasshouse on soils that represented a metal concentration gradient (Al, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn), and then the exposed plants were fed to the herbivores in a natural habitat. The effect of herbivory on plant growth was significantly mediated by foliar metal ion concentrations. The results suggest that herbivory effects on these plants change from negative to positive depending on soil metal concentration. Hence, these results provide quantitative evidence for a previously unsuspected interaction between herbivory and metal bioaccumulation on plant growth.

Metal Bioaccumulation and Oxidative Stress in Ulva laetevirens in the Venice Lagoon: Early Warning Biomarker for Metal Bioaccumulation

Transitional water systems (TWSs) may be threatened by various metals originating from increased agricultural, industrial activities, or urban effluents. Macroalgae are one of the biological quality elements used to monitor and assess the health status of TWS due to their structural and functional key role in marine ecosystems. Here, metal accumulation from the macroalgae Ulva laetevirens Areschoug (1854) and oxidative stress by lipid peroxidation (LPO) biomarker were investigated during four sampling seasons from three sampling sites (SMM: Santa Maria del Mare; PM: Porto Marghera; SG: San Giuliano) of Venice Lagoon, affected by different anthropogenic stressors. The metal pollution index (MPI) scores for U. laetevirens increased in the order SMM < PM < SG (sea inlet < industrial area < Osellino River estuary), with average values per site of 2.99, 4.37, and 6.33, respectively. The level of LPO was statistically correlated with the concentration of toxic metal(loid)s (As, Pb, Hg) measured in macroalgae, and seasonality affected both levels of LPO and metal bioaccumulation, with peak values during spring and summer. These findings highlighted the efficiency and usefulness of the oxidative stress test (LPO) on the common macroalga U. laetevirens as an early warning signal for health assessment in aquatic ecosystems.

Assessment of Heavy Metal Bioaccumulation Capacity of Calopogonium muconoides and Senna obtusifolia as Potential Bioremediation Agents

A wide range of inorganic and organic compounds such as combustibles, and putrescible substances, hazardous waste, explosives, petroleum products and heavy metals (HM) can cause contamination. In addition, the non-biodegradability of heavy metals further exacerbates environmental pollution with its attendant health consequences on the biotic components of the ecosystem including humans. The use of living organisms such as plants and microbes is increasingly becoming acceptable practice of sustainable environmental sanitation. However, identification of potential bioremediation agents is still challenging. This study was carried out to bridge this gap by assessing heavy metal bioaccumulation properties of Calopogoniun Muconoides and Senna obtusifolia plants at contaminated site of mechanic workshop (site 1) in comparative to a physically non-contaminated site (site 2) within Makurdi metropolis of Benue State Nigeria. The selected plants were obtained from both sites and evaluated for their bioaccumulation capacities using standard procedures. The results revealed the sample plants accumulated high levels of heavy metals particularly in the leaves and roots, suggesting the utilization of phytoextraction, phytostabilization and phytovolatilization mechanisms of remediation. The plants and HM generally presented an order of concentration and bioaccumulation as: Senna obtusifolia > Calopogonium Muconoides; Zn > Fe > Pb > Cu > Cd > Cr > Ni. These findings suggest that these novel plants, especially Senna obtusifolia are good agents of bioremediation of heavy metals. Studies involving isotopic labeling to determine the exact mechanism of remediation as well molecular techniques such as transcriptomics and proteomics to identify genes/molecules that confer phytoremediation potential on the plants would be the next focus of our research in this emerging field of environmental biochemistry.