Activation of Non‐Enzymatic Antioxidants by Lepidium sativum L. Exposed to Hg During Assisted Phytoextraction

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

This study focuses on the physiological response of Lepidium sativum L. to Hg and/or nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) during soil reclamation. Greenhouse experiments are conducted in soil contaminated with Hg to final concentrations of 10 or 100 mg kg−1. The influence of Hg and NTA is studied on the growth of L. sativum L. and the activation of its non‐enzymatic antioxidant system, including generation of ascorbic acid (AA) and tocopherols (TOCs). The results shows that Hg is accumulated by L. sativum L. in its aboveground tissues, but increased lipid peroxidation and H2O2 formation in the plant shoots, which is a symptom of oxidative stress. Plants exposed to Hg produced increasing amounts of AA and TOCs to protect their cells from oxidative damage. Application of NTA to polluted soil did not show any toxic effects on L. sativum L. growth or physiological processes. Amendment of polluted soil with NTA significantly increased Hg accumulation in the aerial tissues of L. sativum L., resulting in decreased soil contamination. The use of NTA can therefore be considered for use in assisted phytoextraction of Hg contaminated soil.
Lepidium sativum L. is tested for Hg phytoextraction assisted by nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA). The plant response to Hg and NTA is also investigated. Plants treated with Hg and NTA produce increasing amounts of ascorbic acid and tocopherols to protect their cells against oxidative stress. NTA increases the efficiency of Hg accumulation in L. sativum L. shoots.