Copper bioavailability, uptake, toxicity and tolerance in plants: A comprehensive review

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Plant Biology
• Toxicology

Background:

• Copper (Cu) is vital for life but toxic at high concentrations.
• The narrow window between essential and toxic levels necessitates monitoring Cu.
• Cu speciation and bioavailability significantly influence its effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To appraise the biogeochemical behavior of copper in soil-plant systems.
• To investigate the relationship between soil Cu levels, speciation, and bioavailability.
• To discuss Cu transport, toxicity, and detoxification mechanisms in plants.

Main Methods:

• Literature review on Cu levels, sources, chemistry, and speciation in soil.
• Analysis of protein transporters in soil-plant Cu transport.
• Discussion of plant responses to Cu toxicity and detoxification strategies.

Main Results:

• Cu bioavailability and speciation in soil are critical factors.
• Plant protein transporters play a role in Cu uptake.
• Detoxification mechanisms like antioxidative responses are crucial for plant survival.

Conclusions:

• Understanding soil-plant Cu dynamics is vital for managing Cu levels in food crops.
• Cu accumulation in crops poses health risks.
• Effective soil remediation techniques are needed for Cu-contaminated sites.