Mercury accumulation and resistance to mercury stress in Rumex induratus and Marrubium vulgare grown in perlite

Abstract

SummaryPlants of Rumex induratus and Marrubium vulgare, collected in the mining area of Almadén, were transferred to pots and grown for 2 months using perlite as substrate and treated with soluble mercury (Hg) in the applied nutrient solution. Mercury resistance, Hg bioaccumulation, and some stress biomarkers were investigated in both plant species. Mercury concentration increased in both plant species in response to Hg supply, but R. induratus was more effective in Hg accumulation. Rumex induratus and M. vulgare showed higher [Hg] shoot -to- [Hg] root ratios than other plant species. Mercury in the growth medium perlite was also investigated, distinguishing soluble, available, and total amounts of Hg in the medium.At the lower doses, one half of the applied Hg was retained by perlite. Rumex induratus decreased the available Hg fraction in perlite more than M. vulgare. The bioaccumulation factor ([Hg] plant /[Hg] available ) was similar in both species and similar as found in previous field studies. Plant growth, water content, and chlorophyll concentration, and nutrient translocation were reduced in both plant species by the Hg. Rumex induratus showed higher resistance and Hg-accumulation capacity than M. vulgare, due to the accumulation of thiols in roots and the absence of a lipid oxidative response.

Mercury induced phytotoxicity and oxidative stress in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants

“…The supply of Hg both at moderate and high concentration reduced the concentrations of K, Ca and Mg. Reduction of K, Ca and other mineral nutrients under the influence of Hg have been reported in M. Vulgare, R. induratus (Moreno-Jimenz et al 2007) and V. spiralis (Gupta and Chandra 1998). Increased electrolytic leakage in the root tissues of Hg treated plants as observed in our study might have reduced the uptake of nutrients from the growth medium.…”

Nutritional disorder in Pfaffia glomerata by mercury excess in nutrient solution

“…A significant decrease in Cu, Zn, Fe and Mn concentrations in P. glomerata plants exposed to Hg was observed, but most Zn, Mn, and Cu in the roots (Table 2). In contrast to our data, MORENO-JIMENEZ et al (2007) reported that Hg increased the concentration of Fe by more than 40% in roots of Marrubium vulgare. Interestingly, RODRÍGUES et al (2009) reported that the concentration of Fe in roots increased in plants exposed to Hg at 50µM and decreased in roots of plants exposed to Hg at 100µM.…”

“…It has been reported that in plants, Hg can replace some nutrients, such as Mg, Zn, and Mn, causing a reduction in chlorophyll production and inhibiting the photosynthetic electron transport chain (RUIZ et al, 2003;PATRA et al, 2004). MORENO-JIMENEZ et al (2007) reported that Hg increased the concentration of Fe by more than 40% in roots of Marrubium vulgare, but the translocation of Fe was reduced.…”

Phytotoxicity of biosolids and screening of selected plant species with potential for mercury phytoextraction

“…A strong correlation between S concentration in plant tissue and biomass increase has been found by other authors [43]. Further, it has been shown that biomass increase can be induced by non-toxic concentrations of Hg [44] and other heavy metals, e.g., Pb [45].…”