Abstract
X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (XRF) is a non-destructive analytical technique that has recently been developed as a tool for high throughput screening for the discovery of trace element hyperaccumulator species in herbarium collections. Herbarium XRF analysis was undertaken of representatives of the Brassicaceae family in the two herbaria in Belgrade (Serbia). This was coupled to field collection and chemical analysis of new samples of Cardamine waldsteinii. The data revealed a potentially new zinc hyperaccumulator species, C. waldsteinii, with 3050 mg kg−1 Zn in its leaves. This compares to 2210 mg kg−1 in the leaves of this species collected from the field. These values are below the notional hyperaccumulation threshold for zinc but are nevertheless unusual. The remarkably high accumulation factor for zinc are suggestive of the exceptional potential of C. waldsteinii for zinc uptake, even in non-metalliferous, zinc-deficient soils. We recommend following up this study with experimental investigations on C. waldsteinii to elucidate its ecophysiology and its zinc tolerance and accumulation characteristics.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank Dr. Marjan Niketić and Dr. Uroš Buzurović (curators in BEO), Dr. Snežana Vukojičić (curator in BEOU), and Dr. Vanessa Invernon (collection manager in MNHN) for help with herbarium collection, and Mrs. Milka Adžić for help in field investigation.
Authors’ contributions
KJ, TM, and GE created a concept and collected the data; KJ prepared the original draft; GA performed the laboratory analyses; TM, AVDE, AJMB, GT, and GE discussed the results and contributed to the final manuscript.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.