Location and speciation of gadolinium and yttrium in roots of Zea mays by LA-ICP-MS and ToF-SIMS.
Increasing production of rare earth elements (REE) might lead to future contamination of the environment. REE have been shown to accumulate in high concentrations in roots of plants. Plant experiments with Zea mays exposed to a nutrient solution containing gadolinium (Gd) or yttrium (Y) with 10 mg L(-1) Gd or Y were carried out to investigate this accumulation behaviour. Total concentrations of 3.17 g kg(-1) and 8.43 g kg(-1) of Gd and Y were measured in treated plant roots. Using a novel combination of laser ablation mass spectrometry and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry, imaging of location and concentration of Gd and Y was carried out in root thin sections of treated roots. Single spots of elevated REE concentration were found at the epidermis, while inside the cortex, weak signals of Gd(+) and Y(+) were aligning with the root cell structures. The composition of Gd-containing secondary ions proves an REE-oxide phase accumulated at the epidermis, limiting REE availability for further uptake.
Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany.
Jessica
J
Saatz
Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department Isotope Biogeochemistry, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany.
Hryhoriy
H
Stryhanyuk
Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department of Soil Physics, Theodor-Lieser-Strasse 4, 06120 Halle, Germany.
Doris
D
Vetterlein
Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department Isotope Biogeochemistry, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany.
Niculina
N
Musat
TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Institute of Analytical Chemistry, Leipziger Strasse 29, 09599 Freiberg, Germany.
Matthias
M
Otto
Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany.
Thorsten
T
Reemtsma
Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department Isotope Biogeochemistry, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany.
Hans H
HH
Richnow
Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany. Electronic address: birgit.daus@ufz.de.
Birgit
B
Daus
D005682:Gadolinium / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D013058:Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods; D008674:Metals, Rare Earth / Q000032:analysis; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000378:metabolism; D013057:Spectrum Analysis; D015019:Yttrium / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D003313:Zea mays / Q000378:metabolism*
D008674:Metals, Rare Earth; D015019:Yttrium; D005682:Gadolinium