Effects of cement flue dust from a cement factory on stress parameters and diversity of aquatic plants

Abstract

Cement kiln dusts, made of a complex mixture of elements, include high levels of heavy metals such as fluoride, magnesium, lead, cadmium, nickel, zinc, copper, beryllium and some toxic compounds. Because of the toxic element compositions and radioactive isotope properties of cement kiln dusts, not only terrestrial but also aquatic ecosystems are subjected to greater stress. In the present paper, we investigated the effects of pollution caused by Askale-Erzurum cement factory (CF) on the stress parameters and diversity of aquatic plants. For this purpose, aquatic plant species were collected from the outer zone of the CF. Only three (Lemna minor, Ceratophyllum submersum and Potamogeton natans) of these species were able to be determined in the CF zone. Antioxidant enzyme activities of the collected aquatic plants were measured and compared to their controls. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of P. natans in the CF zone was significantly high compared to their respective control, while it was low in L. minor and C. submersum compared to their controls. Similarly, peroxidase (POX) activity of P. natans was high, while those of L. minor and C. submersum were low compared to their respective controls. On the other side, while catalase (CAT) activities of L. minor and C. submersum were low, that of P. natans did not show an important change compared to their respective controls. Furthermore, we found that hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels of all the studied plants were also very high compared to their controls. According to these results, it is clear that pollution caused by the CF reduced diversity and number of aquatic plant species. Besides, the obtained data revealed that P. natans have a more resistant defense system than other species.

Alleviation of salt stress in wheat seedlings by mammalian sex hormones

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“…As long as the stress level does not exceed the plant's defensive capacity, the main response to stress is provided by enhanced activities of antioxidant enzymes. 39 If stress level goes beyond the plant's defensive capacity, deadly damages may occur in plant cells and tissues. In previous studies, many researchers showed that exogenous MSH treatment increased the antioxidant enzyme activities and decreased lipid peroxidation level under non-stress conditions.…”

Mammalian sex hormones stimulate antioxidant system and enhance growth of chickpea plants

“…ROS is a substrate of different enzymatic pathways, such as SOD, POX and CAT. These enzymes are part of the antioxidant system which allows plants protecting themselves in response to the oxidative stresses (Erdal and Demirtas 2010). In this regard, it can be suggested that exogenous applications of these hormones might enhance plant resistance to negative environmental conditions by inducing activities of the antioxidant enzymes.…”

Aktivitas Enzim Peroksidase dan Kadar Klorofil pada Daun Angsana (Pterocarpus indicus) sebagai Peneduh Jalan yang terpapar Timbal

“…Enzim peroksidase mempunyai fungsi yang berkaitan dengan proses ketahanan (Yanti, 2011). Enzim antioksidatif tanaman terhadap cekaman lingkungan yakni Superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroksidase (POX) dan Katalase (CAT) (Erdal & Demirtas, 2010 (Antari & Sundra, 2002), hal tersebut mempengaruhi penyerapan timbal oleh daun (Sulasmini et.al., 2007).…”