title: Ecotoxicological effects of aluminum and zinc on growth and antioxidants in Lemna minor L.
abstract: The present study aimed at investigating effects of zinc and aluminum (0.15 and 0.3mM) in duckweed (Lemna minor L.) over a 15-day period. High bioaccumulation of both metals was accompanied by an increase in dry weight under higher metal treatments. Antioxidant response was observed under both metal stresses, with large increases in superoxide dismutase and peroxidases. Catalase activity declined only in duckweed exposed to Zn while lipid peroxidation as well as H(2)O(2), proline and ascorbate levels increased. The results suggest induction of oxidative stress under both aluminum and zinc toxicity, and also demonstrate duckweed's capacity to upregulate its antioxidative defense. Additionally, Zn was found to be more toxic than Al to duckweed for the concentrations applied. Due to its high bioaccumulation potential and tolerance via increased antioxidant capacity, duckweed has a potential for phytoremediation of water bodies polluted by low levels of zinc and aluminum.
authors.affiliation: Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Rooseveltov trg 6, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia. sandra@zg.biol.pmf.hr
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Radić
authors.forename: Marija
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Babić
authors.forename: Dragan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Skobić
authors.forename: Vibor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Roje
authors.forename: Branka
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pevalek-Kozlina
mesh_terms: D000535:Aluminum / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D029064:Araceae / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D002374:Catalase / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D002734:Chlorophyll / Q000378:metabolism; D000077194:Chlorophyll A; D017753:Ecosystem; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000378:metabolism; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D016877:Oxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D010544:Peroxidases / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D015032:Zinc / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D016877:Oxidants; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D002734:Chlorophyll; D008315:Malondialdehyde; C037184:chlorophyll b; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D000535:Aluminum; D010544:Peroxidases; D002374:Catalase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D015032:Zinc; D000077194:Chlorophyll A