Selenium inhibits the phytotoxicity of mercury in garlic (Allium sativum)

Journal Article · Thu Aug 15 00:00:00 EDT 2013 · Environmental Research

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ENVRES.2013.01.010· OSTI ID:22246946

Zhao, Jiating ^[1]; Gao, Yuxi ^[1]; Li, Yu-Feng; Hu, Yi; Peng, Xiaomin ^[1]; Dong, Yuanxing ^[2]; Li, Bai; Chen, Chunying ^[1]; Chai, Zhifang ^[1]

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1. CAS Key Laboratory of Nuclear Analytical Techniques, Key Lab for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterial and Nanosafety, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049 (China)
2. Department of Physics, Xinzhou Teachers University, Xinzhou 034000 (China)

To investigate the influence of selenium on mercury phytotoxicity, the levels of selenium and mercury were analyzed with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) in garlic tissues upon exposure to different dosages of inorganic mercury (Hg{sup 2+}) and selenite (SeO{sub 3}{sup 2−}) or selenate (SeO{sub 4}{sup 2−}). The distributions of selenium and mercury were examined with micro-synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence (μ-SRXRF), and the mercury speciation was investigated with micro-X-ray absorption near edge structure (μ-XANES). The results show that Se at higher exposure levels (>1 mg/L of SeO{sub 3}{sup 2−} or SeO{sub 4}{sup 2−}) would significantly inhibit the absorption and transportation of Hg when Hg{sup 2+} levels are higher than 1 mg/L in culture media. SeO{sub 3}{sup 2−} and SeO{sub 4}{sup 2−} were found to be equally effective in reducing Hg accumulation in garlic. The inhibition of Hg uptake by Se correlates well with the influence of Se on Hg phytotoxicity as indicated by the growth inhibition factor. Elemental imaging using μ-SRXRF also shows that Se could inhibit the accumulation and translocation of Hg in garlic. μ-XANES analysis shows that Hg is mainly present in the forms of Hg–S bonding as Hg(GSH){sub 2} and Hg(Met){sub 2}. Se exposure elicited decrease of Hg–S bonding in the form of Hg(GSH){sub 2}, together with Se-mediated alteration of Hg absorption, transportation and accumulation, may account for attenuated Hg phytotoxicity by Se in garlic. -- Highlights: ► Hg phytotoxicity can be mitigated by Se supplement in garlic growth. ► Se can inhibit the accumulation and transportation of Hg in garlic tissues. ► Localization and speciation of Hg in garlic can be modified by Se.

• OSTI ID: 22246946
• Journal Information: Environmental Research, Vol. 125; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2013 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0013-9351
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
ABSORPTION
ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY
ALLIUM SATIVUM
ANIMAL TISSUES
BONDING
CULTURE MEDIA
GARLIC
ICP MASS SPECTROSCOPY
INHIBITION
MERCURY
MERCURY IONS
SELENITES
SELENIUM
SYNCHROTRON RADIATION
TRANSLOCATION
X-RAY FLUORESCENCE ANALYSIS
X-RAY SPECTROSCOPY