Relative toxicity of heavy metals to red pine pollen germination and germ tube elongation

Journal Article · · J. Environ. Qual.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5997066

Chaney, W R; Strickland, R C

Heavy metals are known to affect vegetative growth of plants, but little is known concerning the effects of these environmental pollutants on reproductive processes. Hence, the effects of Cd/sup 2 +/, Hg/sup 2 +/, Pb/sup 2 +/, Cu/sup 2 +/, Zn/sup 2 +/, and Ba/sup 2 +/ on red pine (Pinus resinosa Ait.) pollen germination and germ tube elongation were determined in vitro in a series of nine aqueous solutions with concentrations that ranged from 0.56 ..mu..mol L/sup -1/ to 71.16 ..mu..mol L/sup -1/ for each cation. Large differences among metals in inhibition of the two growth parameters were found. Based on the lowest concentration significantly inhibiting germination, Cd/sup 2 +/ was the most toxic ion followed by Cu/sup 2 +/ > Hg/sup 2 +/ > Pb/sup 2 +/ >> Zn/sup 2 +/ > Ba/sup 2 +/. Similarly, the order for metal inhibition of tube elongation was Cd/sup 2 +/ > Pb/sup 2 +/ > Hg/sup 2 +/ Cu/sup 2 +/ >> Zn/sup 2 +/ > Ba/sup 2 +/. Compared with the other ions, Zn/sup 2 +/ and Ba/sup 2 +/ were relatively nontoxic. The concentration (effective dose) of each metal necessary to produce a 10% reduction of germination and tube elongation (ED/sub 10/) was calculated from linear regression equations. The ED/sub 10/ for germination for Cd/sup 2 +/ was 0.27 ..mu..mol L/sup -1/ and was 2.2, 2.5, and 19.0 times less than the ED/sub 10/ for Hg/sup 2 +/, Cu/sup 2 +/, and Pb/sup 2 +/, respectively. In comparison, the Cd/sup 2 +/ ED/sub 10/ for germ tube growth was 1.00 ..mu..mol L/sup -1/. Although the concentrations of Cd/sup 2 +/, Hg/sup 2 +/, and Pb/sup 2 +/ that produced inhibitory effects in vitro occur in the environment, extrapolation of these results to in vivo conditions is cautioned.

• Research Organization: Purdue Univ., W. Lafayette, IN
• OSTI ID: 5997066
• Journal Information: J. Environ. Qual.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Environ. Qual.; (United States) Vol. 13:3; ISSN JEVQA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560303* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Plants-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ALKALINE EARTH METAL COMPOUNDS
BARIUM COMPOUNDS
CADMIUM COMPOUNDS
CATIONS
CHARGED PARTICLES
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
CONIFERS
DATA
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
GAMETES
GERM CELLS
GERMINATION
GROWTH
INFORMATION
INHIBITION
IONS
LEAD COMPOUNDS
MERCURY COMPOUNDS
NUMERICAL DATA
PINES
PLANT GROWTH
PLANTS
POLLEN
TOXICITY
TREES
ZINC COMPOUNDS