Chin J Plant Ecol ›› 2009, Vol. 33 ›› Issue (4): 638-645.DOI: 10.3773/j.issn.1005-264x.2009.04.002

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MERCURY TOLERANCE AND ACCUMULATION IN THE HALOPHYTE SESUVIUM PORTULACASTRUM

LIANG Sheng-Wei3, HU Xin-Wen2, DUAN Rui-Jun1, FU Shao-Ping1, GUO Jian-Chun1,*()   

  1. 1Institute of Tropical Bioscience and Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou 571101, China
    2College of Agriculture, Hainan University, Danzhou, Hainan 571737, China
    3College of Landscape Gardening, Hainan University, Danzhou, Hainan 571737, China
  • Received:2008-11-27 Revised:2009-03-16 Online:2009-11-27 Published:2009-07-30
  • Contact: GUO Jian-Chun

Abstract:

Aims Mercury pollution is a global environmental problem, and heavy metal hyperaccumulator and plant detoxicity is a promising method and current research area. Our objective was to study the halophyte Sesuvium portulacastrum to determine its Hg tolerance and accumulation in order to find a new phytoremediation plant.
Methods Cuttings of S. portulacastrum with one node and two opposite leaves were cultivated on 1/10 Hoagland nutrient solution supplemented with HgCl2 (0, 5, 10, 25, 50 μmol·L-1). After 30 d of treatment, we measured growth phenotype and physiological changes such as proline, chlorophyll, electrolyte leakage and Hg2+concentration.
Important findings Under low Hg2+concentration stress (10 μmol·L-1), plants showed vigorous growth. The levels of proline, malondialdehyde and electrolyte leakage were similar to those in the untreated plants, but the chlorophyll content was increased. The species could accumulate Hg2+, especially in roots, which reached 33.9 μg·g-1 DW with 50 μmol·L-1 Hg2+ stress. The plants that accumulated 12.02 μg·g-1 DW Hg2+in roots grew well. Thus, S. portulacastrum shows strong Hg2+ tolerance and accumulation.

Key words: Sesuvium portulacastrum, abiomercury, growth, tolerance, accumulation