Changes in elemental content in fronds of Azolla filiculoides due to arsenic accumulation

Abstract

This study analyzed the accumulation of arsenic and its influence on the content of P, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, S, Ca, Cl, and K in fronds of Azolla filiculoides via X-ray fluorescence (XRF). Azolla was exposed to increased concentrations of sodium arsenate (0, 5, 10, 20, and 30 μg ml ^− 1) in Yoshida's nutrient solution. After 96 h, fronds were collected and taken to constant weight to calculate the relative growth rate (RGR), the biomass duplication rate, the bioaccumulation factor (BAF), and the elemental concentration via XRF analysis. By increasing As concentrations the RGR and BAF were reduced. The greatest accumulation of As in fronds was achieved at 20 μg As ml ^− 1, which did not show significant differences with the highest concentration. Accumulation of As in fronds diminished concentrations of Mn, Fe, Zn, S, Ca, and K, while the concentration of P remained low but unchanging. The P content was significantly lower than the As content, thus the As:P ratio in fronds enhanced as the As concentration increased. Concentrations of Cl and Cu were unaffected due to As. This is one of the first reports about the influence of As-accumulation on the elemental content in Azolla fronds.

Keywords::

• Aquatic fern
• metalloid
• XRF
• nutrients
• bioaccumulation

Acknowledgements

Authors thank the two anonymous reviewers whose critical suggestions contributed on improving this manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

Funding for this work was provided by the grants [grant number SEP-CONACyT 79456], and [grant number PAPIIT UNAM IN403210].