Metal(loid) uptake and partitioning within the saltmarsh halophyte, Juncus kraussii

Taylor J Stein; Md Rushna Alam; Thi Kim Anh Tran; Geoff R MacFarlane

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112690

Metal(loid) uptake and partitioning within the saltmarsh halophyte, Juncus kraussii

Mar Pollut Bull. 2021 Sep:170:112690. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112690. Epub 2021 Jul 3.

Authors

Taylor J Stein¹, Md Rushna Alam², Thi Kim Anh Tran³, Geoff R MacFarlane⁴

Affiliations

¹ School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.
² School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Department of Aquaculture, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Dumki, Patuakhali 8602, Bangladesh.
³ School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Global Innovation Center for Advanced Nanomaterials, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.
⁴ School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia. Electronic address: Geoff.macfarlane@newcastle.edu.au.

PMID: 34229150
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112690

Abstract

An investigation was conducted over three estuaries in SE Australia with a gradient in metal(loid) contamination to assess metal(loid) (Cu, Zn, As, Se, Cd and Pb) accumulation and transport within the halophytic saltmarsh rush, Juncus kraussii. Sydney Olympic Park exhibited the most elevated metal(loid) contamination, followed by Hunter Wetlands and Lake Macquarie. J. kraussii exhibited a strong ability to restrict metal(loid) movement into the root system, with the exception of cadmium (BCFs < 1.0) and unrestricted flow from root to culm excepting Se, Cd (TFs < 1). Pb and Zn exhibited elevated translocation between roots and culms (TF 4.4 and 7.3, respectively). Despite barriers for uptake into the below-ground tissues, most metal(loid)s were accumulated to the roots with environmental dose (except for Cu and Cd) and linear relationships were present between the root and culm (for As and Se) and the sediment and culm (for As, Se, Cd, and Pb).

Keywords: Bioaccumulation; Halophyte; Metalloids; Saltmarsh; Trace metals.

MeSH terms

Environmental Monitoring
Estuaries
Metals, Heavy* / analysis
Salt-Tolerant Plants
Soil Pollutants* / analysis
Wetlands

Substances

Metals, Heavy
Soil Pollutants