Phytotoxicity of short-term exposure to excess zinc or copper in Scots pine seedlings in relation to growth, water status, nutrient balance, and antioxidative activity.

Phytotoxicity of short-term exposure to excess zinc or copper in Scots pine seedlings in relation to growth, water status, nutrient balance, and antioxidative activity. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2020 Nov 21;: Authors: Ivanov YV, Ivanova AI, Kartashov AV, Kuznetsov VV Abstract The toxic effects of heavy metals pose a significant threat to the productivity and stability of forest ecosystems. Changes in the agrochemical properties of polluted forest soils due to global climate changes can increase the bioavailability of previously immobilized heavy metals. To test this hypothesis, we studied the effects of short-term shock exposure to ZnSO4 (50, 150, 300 μM) or CuSO4 (2.5, 5, 10 μM) in hydroculture on 4- to 6-week-old seedlings of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) with well-developed root systems. The effects of the excess heavy metals on mineral nutrients and the functioning of low-molecular-weight antioxidants and glutathione in protecting plants from oxidative damage were studied. Even short-term exposure to exogenous metals led to their rapid accumulation in the root system and their subsequent transport to aboveground organs. An increase in the 4-hydroxyalkenals content in seedling needles exposed to excess Cu led to an increase in the content of proanthocyanidins and catechins, which act as scavengers of reactive oxygen species. The impact of both metals led to the rapid development of mineral nutrient imbalances in the seedlin...
Source: Environmental Science and Pollution Research International - Category: Environmental Health Authors: Tags: Environ Sci Pollut Res Int Source Type: research