PJB-2018-1771
Physiological responses in Lemna minor frond to high concentrations of zinc, lead, copper and chromium
Peng Xue, Guo Xuying, Ding Zhihai and Xin Guorong
Abstract
Robust, rapid bioindicators of heavy metal water pollution, which are responsible for increasing environmental threats globally, are required. In the present study, we investigated the possibility of using short-term (≤ 12 hour) physiological responses of Lemna minor to high concentrations (up to 10 mmol L-1) of zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), copper (Cu) and chromium (Cr) for this purpose. The Results showed that: (a) increase in Pb, Zn, Cu, and Cr levels increased fronds’ malonaldehyde (MDA) contents, whereas increase in Pb, Cu, and Cr levels also reduced peroxidase activity (POD), although some of these effects were only observed at high concentrations; (b) high Cu and Cr levels reduced fronds’ chlorophyll contents, but Zn increased chlorophyll content from 0.0016 mmol L-1; (c) all four heavy metals induced frond abscission, and the percentage of frond abscission remain stable (except for Pb) after exposure for 10 h. The maximal concentrations of Zn, Cu and Cr resulted in > 50% frond abscission rates (EFAC50) within 10 h, but Pb induced much weaker responses. Hence frond abscission would not be a suitable short-term indicator of Pb pollution.
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