Multielemental analysis of 20 mushroom species growing near a heavily trafficked road in Poland.

The aim of this work was to compare 10 mostly edible aboveground and 10 wood-growing mushroom species collected near a heavily trafficked road (approximately 28,000 vehicles per 24 h) in Poland with regard to their capacity to accumulate 26 trace elements (Ag, Al, As, Au, B, Ba, Bi, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ga, Ge, In, Li, Mn, Ni, Pb, Re, Sb, Se, Sr, Te, Tl, and Zn) in their fruit bodies in order to illustrate mushroom diversity in element accumulation. All analyses were performed using an inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) spectrometer in synchronous dual view mode. The aboveground species had significantly higher levels of 12 elements, including Ag, As, Pb, and Se, compared to the wood-growing species. An opposite relationship was observed only for Au, Ba, and Sr. The results of principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) implied some new relationships among the analyzed species and elements. Of the analyzed mushroom species, lead content in Macrolepiota procera would seem to pose a health risk; however, at present knowledge regarding lead bioaccessibility from mushrooms is quite limited.

Agaricus bisporus compost improves the potential of Salix purpurea × viminalis hybrid for copper accumulation.

The aim of the study was to determine the ability of spent mushroom compost (SMC) from the production of Agaricus bisporus (A. bisporus) to stimulate the growth and efficiency of copper (Cu) accumulation by Salix purpurea × viminalis hybrid. Roots, shoots and leaves were analysed in terms of total Cu content and selected biometric parameters. Due to the absence of information regarding the physiological response of the studied plant, low molecular weight organic acids (LMWOAs), phenolic compounds and salicylic acid (SA) contents were investigated. The obtained results clearly demonstrate the effectiveness (usefulness) of SMC in promoting the growth and stimulation of Cu accumulation by the studied Salix taxon. The highest Cu content in roots and shoots was found at the 10% SMC addition (507±22 and 380±11 mg kg(-1) DW, respectively), while there was a reduction of the content in leaves and young shoots (109±8 and 124±7 mg kg(-1) DW, respectively). In terms of physiological response, lowered secretion of LMWOAs, biosynthesis of phenolic compounds and SA, as well as accumulation of soluble sugars in Salix leaves was observed with SMC addition. Simultaneously, an elevation of the total phenolic content in leaves of plants cultivated with SMC was observed, considered as antioxidant biomolecules.

Selected arsenic species: As(III), As(V) and dimethylarsenic acid (DMAA) in Xerocomus badius fruiting bodies.

The aim of the study was to determine the content of As(III), As(V) and DMAA (dimethylarsinic acid) in Xerocomus badius fruiting bodies collected from selected Polish forests from areas subjected to very low or high anthropopressure and some commercially available samples obtained from the Polish Sanitary Inspectorate. The arsenic species determination was provided by two independent HPLC-HG-AAS hyphenated systems. The results show high levels (up to 27.1, 40.5 and 88.3 mg kg(-1) for As(III), As(V) and DMAA, respectively) of arsenic and occurrence of different species in mushrooms collected from areas subjected to high anthropopressure and two commercially available samples. For mushroom samples collected from areas not subjected to high anthropopressure and two commercially available samples the arsenic species level was below 0.5 mg kg(-1) for each arsenic form. Therefore, the accumulation of arsenic by mushrooms may lead to high (toxic for humans) arsenic concentrations, and arsenic species levels should be monitored in mushroom foodstuffs.

Influence of Ca/Mg ratio on phytoextraction properties of Salix viminalis. II. Secretion of low molecular weight organic acids to the rhizosphere.

A hydroponic experiment in a phytotron was performed to investigate the effect of two different Ca/Mg ratios (4:1 and 1:10) and trace element ions (Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn) in solution on the efficiency of low molecular weight organic acid (LMWOA) formation in Salix viminalis rhizosphere. Depending on the Ca/Mg ratio and presence of selected trace elements at 0.5mM concentration, the amount and kind of LMWOAs in the rhizosphere were significantly affected. In physiological 4:1 Ca/Mg ratio the following complex of acids was observed: malonic (Pb, Zn), citric, lactic, maleic and succinic (Zn) acids. Under 1:10 Ca/Mg ratio, citric (Cd, Zn), maleic and succinic (Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn) acids were seen. Additionally, high accumulation of zinc and copper in all systems was observed, with the exception of those where one of the metals was at higher concentration. Summing up, the results indicate a significant role of LMWOAs in Salix phytoremediation abilities. Both effects can be modulated depending on the mutual Ca/Mg ratio.

Cadmium and lead uptake by Salix viminalis under modified Ca/Mg ratio.

The studies were focused on the influence of mutual changes in the ratio of calcium and magnesium in soil on the efficiency of cadmium and lead uptake and accumulation by Salix viminalis. In the environmental experiment the soil was modified according to the natural Ca/Mg ratio with the experimental groups 4:1 (physiological ratio), 20:1, and 1:10, and was characterized by the amounts of the most important elements (including heavy metals) and selected soil parameters. Efficiency of lead and cadmium accumulation was in the order of Ca/Mg ratios 1:10 > 4:1 > 20:1, and was higher in the shoots at 0.5 m height when compared to 0.1 m above the ground. Under Cd and Pb supplementation the level of both metals was 2-fold higher, while bioaccumulation factor values according to selected literature indicated weak accumulation. When the seasonal metal uptake was analysed (from April to October), the highest accumulation efficiency was observed in the first two periods (April to August) and was Ca/Mg ratio independent. Salix growth was restrained under 1:10 Ca/Mg ratio while it was stimulated under 20:1 ratio, which was opposite to the metal sorption. Summing up, increased calcium level in soil (20:1 Ca/Mg) resulted in limited sorption of heavy metals and stimulated biomass productivity. Under increased magnesium concentration (1:10 Ca/Mg) in relation to the natural 4:1 ratio the accumulation efficiency was the greatest but plant growth was inhibited.