An increasing input rate of rare earth elements in the environment is expected because of the intense extraction of such elements form their ores to face human technological needs. In this study Lemna minor L. plants were grown under laboratory conditions and treated with increasing concentrations of cerium (Ce) ions to investigate the effects on plant growth and antioxidant systems. The growth increased in plants treated with lower Ce concentrations and reduced in plants treated with higher concentrations, compared to control plants. In plants treated with higher Ce concentrations lower levels of chlorophyll and carotenoid and the appearance of chlorotic symptoms were also detected. Increased levels of hydrogen peroxide, antioxidant metabolites and antioxidant activity confirmed that higher Ce concentrations are toxic to L. minor. Ce concentration in plant tissues was also determined and detectable levels were found only in plants grown on Ce-supplemented media. The use of duckweed plants as a tool for biomonitoring of Ce in freshwater is discussed.

Effect of cerium on growth and antioxidant metabolism of Lemna minor L

Zicari, Maria Alessandra;Paradiso, Annalisa;Tommasi, Franca
2018-01-01

Abstract

An increasing input rate of rare earth elements in the environment is expected because of the intense extraction of such elements form their ores to face human technological needs. In this study Lemna minor L. plants were grown under laboratory conditions and treated with increasing concentrations of cerium (Ce) ions to investigate the effects on plant growth and antioxidant systems. The growth increased in plants treated with lower Ce concentrations and reduced in plants treated with higher concentrations, compared to control plants. In plants treated with higher Ce concentrations lower levels of chlorophyll and carotenoid and the appearance of chlorotic symptoms were also detected. Increased levels of hydrogen peroxide, antioxidant metabolites and antioxidant activity confirmed that higher Ce concentrations are toxic to L. minor. Ce concentration in plant tissues was also determined and detectable levels were found only in plants grown on Ce-supplemented media. The use of duckweed plants as a tool for biomonitoring of Ce in freshwater is discussed.
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
Zicari et al 2018.pdf

accesso aperto

Descrizione: Articolo principale
Tipologia: Documento in Versione Editoriale
Licenza: Creative commons
Dimensione 1.77 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
1.77 MB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11586/221119
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? 4
  • Scopus 33
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 28
social impact