title: Phytobarriers: Plants capture particles containing potentially toxic elements originating from mine tailings in semiarid regions.
abstract: Retention of particles containing potentially toxic elements (PTEs) on plants that spontaneously colonize mine tailings was studied through comparison of washed and unwashed shoot samples. Zn, Pb, Cd, Cu, Ni, Co and Mn concentrations were determined in plant samples. Particles retained on leaves were examined by Scanning Electronic Microscopy and energy dispersive X-Ray analysis. Particles containing PTEs were detected on both washed and unwashed leaves. This indicates that the thorough washing procedure did not remove all the particles containing PTEs from the leaf surface, leading to an overestimation of the concentrations of PTEs in plant tissues. Particularly trichomes and fungal mycelium were retaining particles. The quantity and composition of particles varied among plant species and place of collection. It is obvious that plants growing on toxic mine tailings form a physical barrier against particle dispersion and hence limit the spread of PTEs by wind.
authors.affiliation: Colegio de Postgraduados, km 36.5 Carretera México-Texcoco, Campus Montecillo, Texcoco, CP 56230, Mexico.
authors.forename: Ariadna S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Sánchez-López
authors.affiliation: Colegio de Postgraduados, km 36.5 Carretera México-Texcoco, Campus Montecillo, Texcoco, CP 56230, Mexico. Electronic address: crogelio@colpos.mx.
authors.forename: Rogelio
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Carrillo-González
authors.affiliation: Colegio de Postgraduados, km 36.5 Carretera México-Texcoco, Campus Montecillo, Texcoco, CP 56230, Mexico.
authors.forename: Ma Del Carmen Angeles
authors.initials: Mdel C
authors.lastname: González-Chávez
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Ecología, A.C. Unidad de Microscopía BioMimic, Carretera antigua a Coatepec, No. 351, El Haya, Xalapa, Ver. C.P. 91070, Veracruz, Mexico.
authors.forename: Greta Hanako
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Rosas-Saito
authors.affiliation: Hasselt University, Centre for Environmental Sciences, B-3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium.
authors.forename: Jaco
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vangronsveld
mesh_terms: D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005658:Fungi / Q000378:metabolism; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D008800:Mexico; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008906:Mining; D025282:Mycelium / Q000378:metabolism; D018520:Plant Shoots / Q000378:metabolism; D010944:Plants / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D019216:Metals, Heavy; D012989:Soil Pollutants
keywords: Air dispersion; Mine tailings; Particles deposition; Phytoremediation