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How plants absorb pollutants

Date:
March 29, 2011
Source:
American Society of Agronomy
Summary:
Scientists have investigated the distribution of contaminants in the roots of ryegrass. Recent studies had indicated that contaminated fungi attached to the root of plants were responsible for the plant's uptake of toxic contaminants.
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The environmental concern is great when considering the role of toxic contaminants in the plant-soil relationship. Understanding plant's absorption and accumulation of these contaminants from the soil would be incredibly beneficial.

One highly carcinogenic contaminant commonly found in soil is called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. They are the byproduct of the incomplete combustion of coal, oil, gas, and garbage. These contaminants can also be manufactured; they can be found in certain dyes, plastics and pesticides. Since most the contaminants do not break down easily in water, they stick to solid particles in soils or settle at the bottom of waterways.

Scientific evidence associates prolonged prenatal exposure to these contaminants with low birth weight, premature delivery, heart malformations, lower IQ and childhood asthma. Long-term exposure of an adult can cause damage to the lungs, kidneys, liver, and skin.

In a study funded by National Natural Science Foundation of China, scientists at Nanjing Agricultural University investigated the distribution of contaminants in the roots of ryegrass. Recent studies had indicated that contaminated fungi attached to the root of plants were responsible for the plant's uptake of toxic contaminants.

The study at Nanjing Agricultural University focused on the subcellular process and distribution of the contaminants in plants with fungi attached to the roots. Using a contaminant called acenaphthene, scientists determined that contaminants were absorbed and dispersed into the plants cells.

Yanzheng Gao, who conducted the study, said research is ongoing at Nanjing Agricultural University to examine other persistent organic pollutants, their risk, and their transportation.

Results from the study are published in the March-April 2011 issue of the Journal of Environmental Quality.


Story Source:

Materials provided by American Society of Agronomy. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Yanzheng Gao, Xuezhang Cao, Fuxing Kang, Zhaoxia Cheng. PAHs Pass Through the Cell Wall and Partition into Organelles of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Roots of Ryegrass. Journal of Environment Quality, 2011; 40 (2): 653 DOI: 10.2134/jeq2010.0320

Cite This Page:

American Society of Agronomy. "How plants absorb pollutants." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 29 March 2011. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110329134129.htm>.
American Society of Agronomy. (2011, March 29). How plants absorb pollutants. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 18, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110329134129.htm
American Society of Agronomy. "How plants absorb pollutants." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110329134129.htm (accessed March 18, 2024).

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