Effects of Copper Contamination on RumexK-1 Response

Abstract

The effects of Cu contamination on RumexK-1 were studied using a pot trial. The results showed that the dry weight of leaves and roots did not change significantly under Cu stress when compared with CK (0 mg kg⁻¹ Cu). Additionally, there was no difference in the amounts of chlorophylla, chlorophyllb, chlorophyll (a+b), and the chlorophylla/b ratio between the CK and Cu treatments. The Cu accumulated in leaves and roots, particularly in the roots, with more Cu accumulating in the plants at higher Cu concentrations in the soil. The proline and soluble protein contents in the leaves were more sensitive to Cu contamination than in the roots. Finally, Cu contamination significantly inhibited the acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, and peroxidase activities in the leaves. These results indicate that RumexK-1 is a plant that can accumulate Cu, exhibits some different metabolic mechanisms under Cu stress, and may be suitable for the phytoremediation of Cu contaminated soils.

Keywords:

• Soil pollution
• heavy metal
• bioaccumulation
• phytoremediation

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Key Technology R&D Program of China (2011BAD12B03), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (30700002, 31101536).