The fate of arsenic, cadmium and lead in Typha latifolia: a case study on the applicability of micro-PIXE in plant ionomics.

Understanding the uptake, accumulation and distribution of toxic elements in plants is crucial to the design of effective phytoremediation strategies, especially in the case of complex multi-element pollution. Using micro-proton induced X-ray emission, the spatial distribution of Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Zn, As, Br, Rb, Sr, Cd and Pb have been quantitatively resolved in roots and rhizomes of an obligate wetland plant species, Typha latifolia, treated with a mixture of 100 µM each of As, Cd and Pb, together. The highest concentrations of As, Cd and Pb were found in the roots of the T. latifolia, with tissue-specific distributions. The As was detected in the root rhizodermis, and in the rhizome the majority of the As was within the vascular tissues, which indicates the high mobility of As within T. latifolia. The Cd was detected in the root exodermis, and in the vascular bundle and epidermis of the rhizome. The highest Pb concentrations were detected in the root rhizodermis and exodermis, and in the epidermis of the rhizome. These data represent an essential step in the resolution of fundamental questions in plant ionomics.

Localization and quantification of Pb and nutrients in Typha latifolia by micro-PIXE.

Typha latifolia is a plant species widely used for phytoremediation. Accumulation, localization and distribution of Pb and mineral nutrients were investigated in roots, rhizomes and leaves of Typha latifolia grown at 0, 50, 100 and 250 µM Pb concentrations in a pot experiment under controlled conditions. Bulk elemental concentrations were determined by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy whereas micro-proton-induced X-ray emission (micro-PIXE) was used for element localization in root and rhizome tissues. Gradual increase in bulk Pb concentrations was observed in Typha latifolia roots and rhizomes treated with increasing Pb concentrations, however in rhizomes Pb concentrations were an order of magnitude lower than in roots. In leaves Pb concentrations were around the limit of detection for XRF (~20 µg g(-1)). An increase in concentration of K and Ca in roots, rhizomes and leaves, of iron and zinc in roots and leaves, and of Mn in rhizomes was observed either at 50 and/or 100 µM Pb treatments, whereas for K and Ca in roots, rhizomes and leaves, Fe and Zn in roots and leaves and Mn in rhizomes, or at 250 µM Pb treatment the increase was seen for concentrations of Fe and Zn in rhizomes and Cu in roots. Mn concentrations decreased with Pb treatments in roots and leaves. Element localization using micro-PIXE analysis demonstrated Pb accumulation in epidermal and cortical tissues of treated roots and rhizomes, while in endodermis and vascular tissues Pb was not detected. A displacement of Ca from epidermal to cortical tissues was observed in Pb treated roots and rhizomes, pointing to cell wall immobilization of Pb as one of the tolerance mechanisms in Typha latifolia. High level of colocalization of Pb with P (r = 0.60), S (r = 0.37) and Zn (r = 0.70) was observed in Pb treated roots, while in rhizomes colocalization with the mentioned elements was still positive, but not that prominent. These results indicate that Pb may form complexes with phosphorus and sulfur compounds in roots and rhizomes, which may also represent attraction sites for binding Zn. Because of its large root and rhizome surface area acting as main sites for Pb adsorption, Typha latifolia may represent potentially efficient plant species for phytoremediation of Pb contaminated soils and waters.