Comparisons of cadmium bioaccumulation potentials and resistance physiology of Microsorum pteropus and Echinodorus grisebachii

Abstract

To better monitor and remediate environments contaminated by cadmium (Cd), plants are used as hyperaccumulators or biomonitors; however, few have been identified for aquatic Cd pollution. In our study, two aquatic ornamental plants, Microsorum pteropus (Blume) Copel. and Echinodorus grisebachii Small, were studied for their Cd accumulation capacity, morphological characteristics, and leaf physiological indexes. Microsorum pteropus (Blume) Copel. leaf has the potential to hyperaccumulate Cd (166 mg/kg dry weight for 1 mg/L exposure), with no significant physiological difference under exposure. Echinodorus grisebachii Small had sensitive diagnostic responses to Cd toxicity, such as significant decreases in Chl (a + b) and Chl-a/b, increased peroxidase (POD) activity, greater malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and increased soluble sugar content. These results suggest that Microsorum pteropus (Blume) Copel. could have the potential to be a Cd hyperaccumulator, while Echinodorus grisebachii Small could serve as a biomonitor for Cd-contaminated water bodies.