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Lead-Induced Physiological, Biochemical and Enzymatic Changes in Asplenium scolopendrium L
Oana Alexandra Drăghiceanu1, Liliana Cristina Soare2, Irina Fierăscu3
1Faculty of Sciences, University of Pitești, 1 Târgul din Vale, 110040, Pitesti, Romania.
Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology
|January 17, 2018
Summary
Lead exposure in Asplenium scolopendrium caused increased carotenoids, catalase activity, and polyphenol content. These physiological and biochemical changes can serve as plant biomarkers for environmental lead assessment.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Plant Physiology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Plants are sensitive indicators of environmental pollution.
- Lead (Pb) contamination poses risks to ecosystems.
- Identifying plant responses to heavy metals is crucial for biomonitoring.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate lead-induced physiological, biochemical, and enzymatic alterations in Asplenium scolopendrium.
- To identify potential biomarkers for environmental lead assessment using this plant species.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of physiological processes: photosynthesis and respiration.
- Biochemical and enzymatic assays: catalase activity, pigment concentration (chlorophylls, carotenoids), and polyphenol content.
- Quantification of lead accumulation in plant tissues.
Main Results:
- Exposure to lead significantly increased carotenoid content, catalase activity, total polyphenol content, and respiration rate.
- No significant changes were observed in chlorophyll content or photosynthetic activity.
- Lead was detected in the tissues of exposed plants.
Conclusions:
- The observed physiological and biochemical changes in Asplenium scolopendrium serve as non-specific biomarkers for assessing lead's environmental impact.
- Asplenium scolopendrium demonstrates potential as a bioindicator species for lead pollution monitoring.
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