PFOA accumulation in the leaves of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) and its effects on plant growth, oxidative status, and photosynthetic performance.

Background: Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are emerging contaminants of increasing concern due to their presence in the environment, with potential impacts on ecosystems and human health. These substances are considered "forever chemicals" due to their recalcitrance to degradation, and their accumulation in living organisms can lead to varying levels of toxicity based on the compound and species analysed. Furthermore, concerns have been raised about the possible transfer of PFASs to humans through the consumption of edible parts of food plants.

Morpho-physiological and molecular responses of Lepidium sativum L. seeds induced by bismuth exposure.

Bismuth (Bi) is considered a "green metal" as its toxicity has been reported to be lower than other metals, particularly lead. Even though the low presence in the environment, an increase of Bi concentrations in soil and wastewater is predictable due to its enhanced uses for many industrial and medical applications. Therefore, given the little literature on the matter, particularly in plants, information on the effects of Bi on living organisms is needed.

Ecotoxicological and genotoxic effects of dimethyl phthalate (DMP) on Lemna minor L. and Spirodela polyrhiza (L.) Schleid. plants under a short-term laboratory assay.

The environmental occurrence of phthalates (PAE) is of great concern for the ecosystem and human health. Despite of their recognized toxicity on biota, a lack of knowledge is still present about the effects of PAE on plants. In this scenario, the effects of dimethyl phthalate (DMP) on duckweed plants (Lemna minor L.

Transcription Factor Networks in Leaves of New Insights into the Relationship Between Photosynthesis and Leaf Development.

is a leafy crop closely related to that comprises two major botanical varieties characterized by a high degree of intraspecific morphological variation: var. with broad leaves (escarole) and var. with narrow crisp curly leaves (endive).

Catechol-Loading Nanofibrous Membranes for Eco-Friendly Iron Nutrition of Plants.

Modern agriculture requires more efficient and low-impact products and formulations than traditional agrochemicals to improve crop yields. Iron is a micronutrient essential for plant growth and photosynthesis, but it is mostly present in insoluble forms in ecosystems so that it is often limiting for plants. This study was aimed at combining natural strategies and biodegradable nanostructured materials to create environmentally friendly and low-toxic bioactive products capable of both supplying iron to Fe-deficient plants and reducing the impact of agricultural products on the environment.

Evaluation of morpho-physiological traits and contaminant accumulation ability in Lemna minor L. treated with increasing perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) concentrations under laboratory conditions.

There is increasing concern about the effects of releasing emerging contaminants (i.e. endocrine-disrupting chemicals, pharmaceuticals, personal-care products and flame retardants) into the environment.

Investigation on metal tolerance and phytoremoval activity in the poplar hybrid clone "Monviso" under Cu-spiked water: Potential use for wastewater treatment.

A serious concern for the environmental and human health is represented by the increasing copper (Cu) occurrence in agricultural soils and waters, because of the possible food contamination and bioaugmentation along the trophic chain. The request for the decontamination of different matrices with an environmentally sustainable technology as the phytoremediation should be addressed by selecting plant materials with improved pollutant tolerance and removal capability. With this purpose, plants of the hybrid poplar clone "Monviso" (Populus×generosa A.

Effects of a ladle furnace slag added to soil on morpho-physiological and biochemical parameters of Amaranthus paniculatus L. plants.

Industrial slag from steelwork activities is considered a by-product by the EU legislation and it can be used for civil construction. In this work, an experiment in a greenhouse was conducted over a 6-week period to investigate the effect of soil enrichment with ladle furnace slag on morpho-physiological parameters of Amaranthus paniculatus L. plants.

Assessment of physiological and biochemical responses, metal tolerance and accumulation in two eucalypt hybrid clones for phytoremediation of cadmium-contaminated waters.

Eucalyptus is a promising species for ecological restoration but plant performances under environmental constraints need to be better investigated. In particular, the toxic effects of metals on this plant species are poorly described in the literature. In this work, morpho-physiological and biochemical responses to cadmium were analysed in two eucalypt genotypes (hybrid clones of Eucalyptus camaldulensis × Eucalyptus globulus ssp.

Evaluation of nickel tolerance in Amaranthus paniculatus L. plants by measuring photosynthesis, oxidative status, antioxidative response and metal-binding molecule content.

Among metals, Ni has been indicated as one of the most dangerous for the environment, and plants exposed to this metal are frequently reported to undergo a severe stress condition. In this work, the tolerance responses to different Ni concentrations at physiological and biochemical levels were evaluated in Amaranthus paniculatus L., a plant species previously characterised for their ability to phytoremove Ni from metal-spiked water.

Growth, physiological response and phytoremoval capability of two willow clones exposed to ibuprofen under hydroponic culture.

Ibuprofen (IBU) is one of the most widespread pharmaceuticals in the aquatic ecosystem, despite the high removal rate that occurs in wastewater treatment plants. Phytoremediation represents a technology to improve the performance of existing wastewater treatment. This study was conducted under hydroponics to evaluate the ability of Salicaceae plants to tolerate and reduce IBU concentration in contaminated water.

Assessment of ibuprofen tolerance and removal capability in Populus nigra L. by in vitro culture.

Release of pharmaceuticals in the environment has been emerging as a great concern for ecosystem and human health. Ibuprofen (IBU) represents one of the most widespread pharmaceuticals in surface waters and sediments in spite of the high removal rates occurring in conventional wastewater technologies. To assess the potentiality of phytoremediation in assisting these technologies, the screening of plant species for tolerance and removal ability of pollutants is a very important issue.

Growth, physiological and molecular traits in Salicaceae trees investigated for phytoremediation of heavy metals and organics.

Worldwide, there are many large areas moderately contaminated with heavy metals and/or organics that have not been remediated due to the high cost and technical drawbacks of currently available technologies. Methods with a good potential for coping with these limitations are emerging from phytoremediation techniques, using, for example, specific amendments and/or plants selected from various candidates proven in several investigations to be reasonably efficient in extracting heavy metals from soil or water, or in co-metabolizing organics with bacteria flourishing or inoculated in their rhizospheres. Populus and Salix spp.

Intraspecific variation of physiological and molecular response to cadmium stress in Populus nigra L.

Little is known about the variability of response to heavy metal stress within tree species, although it could be a key for a better understanding of tolerance mechanisms and for breeding. The aim of the present study was to characterize the natural variation of response to cadmium (Cd) in Populus nigra L. in order to understand the mechanisms of Cd tolerance.

Screening of poplar clones for cadmium phytoremediation using photosynthesis, biomass and cadmium content analyses.

Variability of cadmium tolerance and distribution in plant organs was investigated in ten selected poplar clones from different species, hybrids and genotypes. To this end, plants were exposed for three weeks to 50 microM CdSO4 in hydroponics. Cadmium accumulation in roots, stem and leaves as well as biomass production and photosynthesis maintenance varied greatly among clones.

Stem CO2 release under illumination: corticular photosynthesis, photorespiration or inhibition of mitochondrial respiration?

In illuminated stems and branches, CO2 release is often reduced. Many light-triggered processes are thought to contribute to this reduction, namely photorespiration, corticular photosynthesis or even an inhibition of mitochondrial respiration. In this study, we investigated these processes with the objective to discriminate their influence to the overall reduction of branch CO2 release in the light.

Characteristics of CO exchange between peach stems and the atmosphere.

Gas exchange by stems is dominated by respiratory CO emission, but photosynthetic CO uptake might also occur in stem bark. We show that light-dependent CO uptake was present and often exceeded CO release by respiration in illuminated current-year peach (Prunus persica L.) stems.

Interaction of cadmium with glutathione and photosynthesis in developing leaves and chloroplasts of Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steudel.

We investigated how the presence of cadmium (Cd) at the emergence of Phragmites australis Trin. (Cav.) ex Steudel plants from rhizomes interacted with leaf and chloroplast physiological and biochemical processes.