An analysis of long-distance root to leaf transport of lead in Pisum sativum plants by laser ablation–ICP–MS

Abstract

Laser ablation (LA) inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA–ICP–MS) has been applied to determine the nature of lead (Pb) distribution in plant tissues. Plants were cultivated hydroponically in Hoagland medium supplemented with 0.5 mM Pb(NO₃)₂. After 96 h, parts of root were cut off from Pisum sativum and analysed. The difference in the amount of Pb transported through the vascular tissues was expressed as the level of signal intensity. Mapping in vivo tissues reveals the metal pathway in the plant which may be particularly helpful in understanding of the mechanisms of heavy metal accumulation and transport in the plant.

Keywords:

• laser ablation
• ICP–MS
• lead
• plant tissue
• elemental distribution

Acknowledgement

This work was financially supported by the grant KBN 1 T09D 057 30.