Mixed heavy metals tolerance and radial oxygen loss in mangrove seedlings

Y. Liu, N. F.Y. Tam, J. X. Yang, N. Pi, M. H. Wong, Z. H. Ye

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

81 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The effects of a mixture of heavy metals (Pb, Zn and Cu) on growth, radial oxygen loss (ROL) and the spatial pattern of ROL were investigated in mangrove seedlings of three species: Aegiceras corniculatum, Avicennia marina and Bruguiera gymnorrhiza. Heavy metals inhibited the growth of seedlings and led to decreased ROL and changes in the "tight" barrier spatial pattern of ROL. There was a significant positive correlation between the amount of ROL from the roots of seedlings and metal tolerance. The species with the highest ROL amount, B. gymnorrhiza, were also the most tolerant to heavy metals. The "tight" barrier spatial ROL pattern was also related to metal tolerance in the seedlings. Therefore, we conclude that both ROL amount and "tight" barrier spatial ROL pattern in the roots of the mangrove seedlings play an important role in resistance to heavy metal toxicity.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1843-1849
Number of pages7
JournalMarine Pollution Bulletin
Volume58
Issue number12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2009
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Aegiceras corniculatum
  • Avicennia marina
  • Bruguiera gymnorrhiza
  • Copper
  • Lead
  • Zinc

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