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Uptake, accumulation, and translocation of Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, Ni, and Cr by P. australis seedlings in an urban dredged sediment mesocosm: Impact of seedling origin and initial trace metal content
Open accessAbstract
The study presents results from 6 months of phytoremediation of sediments dredged from three urban retention tanks carried out in a mesocosm setup with the use of P. australis. Two kinds of P. australis seedlings were considered: seedlings originating from natural (uncontaminated - Suncont) and anthropogenically changed environments (contaminated – Scont); this distinction was reflected in the baseline concentrations of trace metals inside their tissues. The potentially toxic elements (PTEs) considered in this study were as follows: Zn, Cu, Cd, Ni, Cr, and Pb. The aim of the study was to compare the uptake, accumulation, and translocation properties of seedlings with different initial trace metal contents. The PTE concentrations were analyzed in sediments as well as in belowground and aboveground parts of plants in the middle (3rd month) and at the end of the investigation period using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and the accumulation of PTEs in plant tissues was calculated. Phytoextraction efficiency was evaluated using the bioconcentration factor (BF) and translocation factor (TF). Plant morphology was assessed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to document plant stress due to PTE exposure. The results of our study indicated that P. australis seedlings originating from sites differing in the initial trace metal content exhibited different behavior when grown on sediments dredged from urban retention tanks. Suncont seedlings with low initial metal contents tended to adapt to the dredged sediments and showed phytoextraction ability, while Scont seedlings originating from sites with initial high contents of trace metals acted as phytoexcluders and tended to release PTEs from their tissues into the sediments. The morphological and structural effects caused by metal toxicity were observed in growth limitation, root tissue disturbance, root hair number decrease, and structural alterations in the epidermis and endodermis. Therefore, the Suncont seedlings presented better properties and adaptability for phytoremediation purposes.
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TL;DR
In a 6-month urban dredged-sediment mesocosm, *P. australis* seedlings from an uncontaminated site generally took up and accumulated trace metals, especially belowground, whereas seedlings from a contaminated site with high initial metal content mostly released metals and behaved as phytoexcluders. Overall metal accumulation was low because of poor biomass development, and S uncont roots showed anatomical stress (cortical cell disturbance, aerenchyma deformation).
Key findings
- S uncont seedlings increased tissue metal concentrations over 6 months: belowground parts rose 1.2× (Cd) to 5.7× (Pb), leaves 1.5× (Pb) to 6.0× (Zn), and stems 1.1× (Pb) to 2.3× (Zn). Highest S uncont belowground concentrations were Cu 15.4, Cd 0.25, and Ni 6.99 mg/kg d.w. in C2; Zn 155 mg/kg d.w. in C3; and Pb 39.2 and Cr 9.87 mg/kg d.w. in C1. BF values were all <0.7 at mid-experiment and rose by the end, reaching >1 for Ni in C2; S uncont showed phytostabilization, with low TF ST/BG (0–0.6) and some Cu/Zn translocation to leaves.
- S cont seedlings, with high initial metal burdens, generally showed decreasing tissue metal contents; during the first 3 months only Pb and Cr were taken up. Pb increased in belowground parts 1.4–1.6×, in stems 0.5–6.0×, and in leaves 4.5–14.3×; Cr increases were lower (1.2–1.9×). BF exceeded 1 mid-experiment for Ni and Cd in C1/C2, Cu in C1, and Zn in C2, but no BF >1 occurred in C3, and BF decreased by the end; S cont behaved as phytoexcluders/released metals. Accumulation was highest in C2 for S cont for all metals: Cu 1114, Zn 11,026, Pb 346, Cd 22.3, Ni 388, and Cr 672 μg/m²; S cont accumulation was higher than S uncont except for Pb.
- Sediments ranged from moderately contaminated (C2) to very strongly contaminated (C1) by LAWA, with PLI 1–8; pH was 7.1–7.4 and organic matter was 7.5% in C1, 13.5% in C2, and 11.5% in C3. Biomass was highest in C2 for both seedling types and lowest in C3; RGR was 1.6–2.2% day−1 initially and 0.9–1.3% day−1 later. After 6 months, sediment trace metals decreased and LAWA/PLI status improved, but changes were small due to low biomass; some increases (Zn in S cont C2, Ni in S cont C1/C2) were linked to metal release.
- SEM showed S uncont roots from C3 had degradation of the endodermis, significant aerenchyma deformation, disrupted cortical/epidermal cell arrangement, and collapsed or fewer root hairs compared with CONTROL roots.
Methods
- Batch mesocosm from April to September 2018: two sets of three 0.6 m³ columns, with drainage layers plus 30 cm dredged sediment from three Gdańsk stormwater retention ponds (C1 Ogrodowa, C2 Grunwaldzka, C3 Potokowa); 3–4 *P. australis* seedlings per column from uncontaminated (S uncont) or contaminated (S cont) sites; water level maintained 2 cm above sediment with tap water, no fertilization.
- Plant tissues were separated into belowground roots+rhizomes, stems, and leaves; lyophilized, mineralized with HNO₃/HClO₄, and analyzed by ICP-MS. Sediments were mineralized with HClO₄/HF/HCl and analyzed by ICP-MS; pH and organic matter were measured; SEM was used for root cross-sections (CONTROL and S uncont from C3).
- Phytoextraction was assessed using bioconcentration factor (BF), translocation factor (TF), metal accumulation per m², and relative growth rate (RGR); sediment contamination status was assessed with LAWA classification and pollution load index (PLI).
Limitations
- Stated: the experiment was small-scale (pot/mesocosm) and used semiartificial light; the authors state results should be further evaluated under real field conditions and that pot experiments cannot replace full-scale or pilot-scale studies under natural environmental conditions.
- Stated/evident: low biomass development—only 3–4 seedlings were planted per column—limited accumulation and final sediment metal changes; the study covered only one vegetation season, while optimal phytoextraction may require 2 or more growing seasons (cited by the authors).
- Evident: SEM anatomical comparison was limited to CONTROL and S uncont from C3, not all sediment/seedling combinations, so anatomical stress responses across treatments are not fully characterized.
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“A substantial increase in Cd concentration was observed at the end of the experiment.”
§ Uptake, accumulation, and translocation of Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, Ni, and Cr by P. australis seedlings in an urban dredged sediment mesocosm: Impact of seedling origin and initial trace metal content > 3.3. Comparison of S ucont and S cont performance
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“The accumulation of PTEs by S uncont and S cont was lower than that reported by Vymazal and Březinová (2016).”
§ Uptake, accumulation, and translocation of Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, Ni, and Cr by P. australis seedlings in an urban dredged sediment mesocosm: Impact of seedling origin and initial trace metal content > 3.3. Comparison of S ucont and S cont performance
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- Not checked yetcites Vymazal and Březinová, 2016 source
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“The initial concentration of analyzed PTEs inside S cont was much higher than that inside S uncont .”
§ Uptake, accumulation, and translocation of Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, Ni, and Cr by P. australis seedlings in an urban dredged sediment mesocosm: Impact of seedling origin and initial trace metal content > 3.1.2. Trace metal concentrations in P. australis tissues tested in the mesocosms
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“Pb and Ni were mainly accumulated by the BG parts”
§ Uptake, accumulation, and translocation of Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, Ni, and Cr by P. australis seedlings in an urban dredged sediment mesocosm: Impact of seedling origin and initial trace metal content > 3.1.2. Trace metal concentrations in P. australis tissues tested in the mesocosms
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In the paper
“while Cd and Cr increases were observed in both BG parts and ST.”
§ Uptake, accumulation, and translocation of Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, Ni, and Cr by P. australis seedlings in an urban dredged sediment mesocosm: Impact of seedling origin and initial trace metal content > 3.1.2. Trace metal concentrations in P. australis tissues tested in the mesocosms
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“Similarly, many other plant species have been found suitable for restricting the metals within the soil and impairing their mobility to the aerial parts of the plants [40,42].”
From Differential Uptake and Translocation of Cadmium and Lead by Quinoa: A Multivariate Comparison of Physiological and Oxidative Stress Responses (2022) · cites this paper as [40]
In the citing paper
“So, it is quite evident that the separate applications of Cd and Pb in the growth medium have different effects than their combined application on the accumulation and translocation of Cd and Pb by plants [40,41].”
From Differential Uptake and Translocation of Cadmium and Lead by Quinoa: A Multivariate Comparison of Physiological and Oxidative Stress Responses (2022) · cites this paper as [40]
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In the paper
§ Uptake, accumulation, and translocation of Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, Ni, and Cr by P. australis seedlings in an urban dredged sediment mesocosm: Impact of seedling origin and initial trace metal content > 3.1.3. Trace metal accumulation in P. australis
“The pH values of the source sites of S uncont and S cont were in the ranges of 6.9-7.2 and 6.3-6.9, respectively.”
§ Uptake, accumulation, and translocation of Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, Ni, and Cr by P. australis seedlings in an urban dredged sediment mesocosm: Impact of seedling origin and initial trace metal content > 3.2. Phytoextraction efficiency of P. australis
“the pH in the source site for S cont was 6.9-7.4; the pH values of dredged sediments applied in the mesocosm setup were in the ranges 7.1-7.4”
Rated minor: it would not touch a result — a value no result rests on, a p-value that stays on the same side of the significance level, or a conflict that is clerical, resolved elsewhere in the paper, or outside its own findings.
In the paper
“C3 S uncont 0.8 0.7 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.1”
§ Uptake, accumulation, and translocation of Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, Ni, and Cr by P. australis seedlings in an urban dredged sediment mesocosm: Impact of seedling origin and initial trace metal content > 3.3. Comparison of S ucont and S cont performance
Reported 0.8 · recomputed 0
Rated minor: it would not touch a result — a value no result rests on, a p-value that stays on the same side of the significance level, or a conflict that is clerical, resolved elsewhere in the paper, or outside its own findings.
In the paper
“C3 S uncont 0.8 0.7 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.1”
§ Uptake, accumulation, and translocation of Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, Ni, and Cr by P. australis seedlings in an urban dredged sediment mesocosm: Impact of seedling origin and initial trace metal content > 3.3. Comparison of S ucont and S cont performance
Reported 0.7 · recomputed 0.42
Rated minor: it would not touch a result — a value no result rests on, a p-value that stays on the same side of the significance level, or a conflict that is clerical, resolved elsewhere in the paper, or outside its own findings.
In the paper
§ Uptake, accumulation, and translocation of Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, Ni, and Cr by P. australis seedlings in an urban dredged sediment mesocosm: Impact of seedling origin and initial trace metal content > 2.2.2. Sediments
“LODs were as follows: Zn = 0.5 mg/kg d.w., Cu = 0.3 mg/kg d.w., Pb = 1.0 mg/kg d.w., Cr = 1.5 mg/kg d.w., Ni = 0.7 mg/kg d.w., Cd = 0.1 mg/kg d.w.”
§ Uptake, accumulation, and translocation of Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, Ni, and Cr by P. australis seedlings in an urban dredged sediment mesocosm: Impact of seedling origin and initial trace metal content > 2.2.2. Sediments
“The limit of quantification (LOQ) for a given element was set at 9•SD (blank), and ranged from 0.2 mg/kg (Cd) to 0.9 mg/kg (Pb).”
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Subramanian, D., Raju, S., & Murugesan, A. K. (2021) · Ecological Indicators · doi:10.1016/j.ecolind.2021.108522 · Cited by 46
Metadata
- Authors
- Nawrot, N., Wojciechowska, E., Pazdro, K., Szmagliński, J., & Pempkowiak, J.
- Affiliations
- Gdańsk University of Technology (PL)
- Instytut Oceanologii Polskiej Akademii Nauk (PL)
- Corresponding author
- Nawrot, Nicole
- Venue
- Science of the Total Environment
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2021-05
- Volume
- 768
- Pages
- 144983
- ISSN
- 0048-9697 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W3118635945
- Semantic Scholar
- af87713398a46bf93d20cccfdd6d9c3ea15eec59
- Cited by
- 42
- References
- 66
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 7
- FWCI
- 1.81
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Licence
- cc-by
- www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
- www.elsevier.com/legal/tdmrep-license (tdm)
- creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (vor)
- Locations
- The Science of The Total Environment (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Narodowe Centrum Nauki (2019/35/N/ST8/01134)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Pollution › Heavy metals in environment
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Water Science and Technology › Heavy Metal Pollution Remediation
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Water Science and Technology › Environmental and Analytical Chemistry Studies
- Keywords
- Phragmites australis, phytoremediation, trace metal accumulation, potentially toxic elements, dredged material, seedling origin, metal translocation, bioconcentration factor, translocation factor, metal toxicity, root morphology, zinc, copper, lead, cadmium, nickel, chromium
- MeSH terms
- Cadmium, Lead, Zinc, Geologic Sediments, Metals, Heavy, Seedlings
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- CoChat. (2026). Citation check: Uptake, accumulation, and translocation of Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, Ni, and Cr by P. australis seedlings in an urban dredged sediment mesocosm: Impact of seedling origin and initial trace metal content. https://app.cochat.ai/papers/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.144983
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- Nawrot, N., Wojciechowska, E., Pazdro, K., Szmagliński, J., & Pempkowiak, J. (2021). Uptake, accumulation, and translocation of Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, Ni, and Cr by P. australis seedlings in an urban dredged sediment mesocosm: Impact of seedling origin and initial trace metal content. Science of the Total Environment. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.144983
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