Zinc, lead, and cadmium tolerance and accumulation in Cistus libanotis, Cistus albidus, and Cistus salviifolius: Perspectives on phytoremediation

Abstract

Heavy metal contamination is of particular concern for human health and the environment. Phytoremediation is an emerging cost‐effective strategy to remediate heavy metal contaminated soil. However, this technique is limited by the small number of plants that are tolerant to heavy metals and are also accumulators. This study assayed zinc, lead, and cadmium tolerance and accumulation in Cistus libanotis, Cistus albidus, and Cistus salviifolius. The plants were cultivated in hydroponic conditions and exposed to different concentrations of Pb(NO3)2 (100 and 200 µM), ZnSO4 (100 and 200 µM), or CdCl2 (10 and 20 µM) for 3 weeks. Plant biomass and metal accumulation in roots and aboveground parts varied greatly among the species. All three species appeared to be sensitive to Zn. However, C. albidus displayed strong tolerance to Pb and accumulated large quantities of Pb and Cd in its roots. C. libanotis accumulated large quantities of Pb and Cd in its aboveground parts. C. libanotis can thus be classified as a Pb and Cd accumulator species. The study results show that C. albidus is suitable for phytostabilization of Pb‐contaminated soils, while C. libanotis can be used for phytoextraction of both Pb and Cd.

Screening of Native Plants Growing on a Pb/Zn Mining Area in Eastern Morocco: Perspectives for Phytoremediation

“…Cistus libanotis is a fast-growing perennial plant with high biomass [94]. In the present study, Cistus libanotis can accumulate up to 1261.8 mg kg −1 DW of Pb in shoots, with TF > 1.…”

“…They can grow both in contaminated and non-contaminated soils being tolerant to high concentrations of trace elements, like As and Pb [96,97]. C. albidus and C. salviifolius respectively accumulate higher amounts of Pb up to 4831 and 2896 mg kg −1 of Pb in their roots than in their shoots and were considered suitable for phytostabilization of Pb contaminated soils [94]. The same study indicates that Cistus libanotis can accumulate a large amount of Pb in its roots and shoots (10,340 and 2055 mg Pb kg −1 DW, respectively) when grown in hydroponic conditions [94].…”

“…C. albidus and C. salviifolius respectively accumulate higher amounts of Pb up to 4831 and 2896 mg kg −1 of Pb in their roots than in their shoots and were considered suitable for phytostabilization of Pb contaminated soils [94]. The same study indicates that Cistus libanotis can accumulate a large amount of Pb in its roots and shoots (10,340 and 2055 mg Pb kg −1 DW, respectively) when grown in hydroponic conditions [94]. Santos et al [98] suggest that C. ladanifer is suitable for phytostabilization of mine soils rich in Pb, As, Cu, and Zn.…”

Cistus albidus L.—Review of a Traditional Mediterranean Medicinal Plant with Pharmacological Potential

“…This suggests that the genetic influence of this species on the biosynthesis of phytochemicals may be stronger than the influence of soil parameters. This was confirmed by a recent study, where C. albidus exhibited a low translocation of Pb and Cd to aerial parts from heavy-metal-contaminated soil [17], making this species also suitable for plantations under problematic soil conditions.…”

“…Nowadays, however, C. albidus is known more for its ability to withstand severe summer stress situations to repopulate degenerate areas [ 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ] than for its important pharmacological properties. Due to its ability to produce large amounts of secondary metabolites, it becomes an attractive model for elucidation of the biosynthetic pathways involved in resisting climatic adversities [ 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 ].…”