Potential of Ranunculus acris L. for biomonitoring trace element contamination of riverbank soils: photosystem II activity and phenotypic responses for two soil series

Abstract

Foliar ionome, photosystem II activity, and leaf growth parameters of Ranunculus acris L., a potential biomonitor of trace element (TE) contamination and phytoavailability, were assessed using two riverbank soil series. R. acris was cultivated on two potted soil series obtained by mixing a TE (Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn)-contaminated technosol with either an uncontaminated sandy riverbank soil (A) or a silty clay one slightly contaminated by TE (B). Trace elements concentrations in the soil-pore water and the leaves, leaf dry weight (DW) yield, total leaf area (TLA), specific leaf area (SLA), and photosystem II activity were measured for both soil series after a 50-day growth period. As soil contamination increased, changes in soluble TE concentrations depended on soil texture. Increase in total soil TE did not affect the leaf DW yield, the TLA, the SLA, and the photosystem II activity of R. acris over the 50-day exposure. The foliar ionome did not reflect the total and soluble TE concentrations in both soil series. Foliar ionome of R. acris was only effective to biomonitor total and soluble soil Na concentrations in both soil series and total and soluble soil Mo concentrations in the soil series B.

Effects of Bacterial and Fungal Inocula on Biomass, Ecophysiology, and Uptake of Metals of Alyssoides utriculata (L.) Medik.

“…A similar response has been demonstrated in species such as Arundo donax under Se treatments, where no alterations in the Fv/Fm ratio were observed in most of the selected ecotypes [ 63 ]. The response of A. utriculata confirms the constitutive ability of this species to cope with metals when living on metalliferous soils (such as the soil tested in our study), which is similar to other hyperaccumulators [ 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 ], and illustrates the peculiar morpho-physiological and biochemical adaptations typical of hyperaccumulator plants [ 68 , 69 ]. Interestingly, the bacteria and fungi tested in this study (and their combination) did not result in a better ecophysiological performance, as their main effects were related to the optimization of the plants’ mineral nutrition.…”

Experimental investigation of the responses of meadow buttercup (Ranunculus acris L.) to sodic salinity and its implications for habitat monitoring

“…Looking for the practical context of this study, it is worth noting that some other recent studies showed that R. acris can be very suitable for monitoring Na availability in soils; the greater the availability of Na in soil, the greater the leaf concentration of Na 16 . Our study agrees with those findings but also suggests that spatial inconsistency of plant occurrence (due to inhibition of seedling establishment) or easily catchable conspicuous differences in plant physiognomy of R. acris , such as plant size and leaf morphology (due to Na intoxication), can be a signal suggesting progressing salinization of habitat.…”

“…It is able to spread rapidly (even in habitats believed to be saline), but it can only be hypothesized whether it tolerates salinity. From a practical point of view, such information could be very valuable for monitoring programs and managing pastures (as recently suggested 16 ), for which the quality of water sources plays a major role but is often omitted from an agronomical perspective. Thus, the aim of the present study was to elucidate the seed germination, growth and photosynthetic responses of R. acris to sodium chloride (NaCl).…”

A Perspective on therapeutic potential of weeds

“…Arum lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica) acts as micropollutant removal by removing accumulation of copper, zinc, carbamazepine and linear alkylbenxene sulphonates [112]. Bladderwort (Utricularia gibba) [113], canna lilly (Canna indica) [114], coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) [115], egeria (Egeria densa) [116], giant buttercup (Ranunculus acris) [117], broom (Cytisus scoparius) [118], annual poa (Poa annua) have been involved in removing toxic metals (chromium, cadmium, zinc, lead) from the environment [119]. Parrot feather (Myriophyllum aquaticum) aids in removing antibiotic (tetracycline) from water [120].…”

“…Hedera helix (Ivy) [72], Nymphaea Mexicana (Mexican water lily) [75], Persicaria hydropiper (Water pepper) [106] showed anti-in lammatory properties. Weeds like Zantedeschia aethiopica (Arum lily) [112], Utricularia gibba (Bladderwort) [113], Canna indica (Canna lilly) [114], Tussilago farfara (Coltsfoot) [115], Egeria densa (Eregia) [116], Ranunculus acris (Giant buttercup) [117], Cytisus scoparius (Broom) [118], Poa annua (Annual poa) have prominent role in biomonitoring of heavy metals in multiple environments [119].…”