The Influence of Salinity on the Uptake, Distribution, and Excretion of Metals by the Smooth Cordgrass, Spartina alterniflora (Loisel.), Grown in Sediment Contaminated by Multiple Metals

The effect of salinity on the concentration of metals in Spartina alterniflora tissues and excreted salts and the distribution of metals between these compartments was tested in a greenhouse experiment. S. alterniflora stems were planted in pots of dredge sediment that was amended with a suite of si...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Estuaries and coasts 2008-12, Vol.31 (6), p.1089-1097
Main Authors: Mahon, Sarahfaye, Carman, Kevin R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal and plant ecology
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Biogeochemistry
Biological and medical sciences
Brackish water ecosystems
Coastal Sciences
Earth and Environmental Science
Ecology
Environment
Environmental Management
Estuaries
Excretion
Freshwater & Marine Ecology
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Heavy metals
Marshes
Plants
Salinity
Salt marshes
Sediments
Spartina alterniflora
Stems
Synecology
Water and Health
Wetland ecology
Wetlands
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Summary:The effect of salinity on the concentration of metals in Spartina alterniflora tissues and excreted salts and the distribution of metals between these compartments was tested in a greenhouse experiment. S. alterniflora stems were planted in pots of dredge sediment that was amended with a suite of six metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn). The overlying water of individual pots was maintained at treatment salinities of 0,15, or 30 practical salinity units. The proportion of total metal distributed to the tissues and excreted salt of S. alterniflora was not significantly influenced by salinity for any of the metals. The concentration of Pb in root and leaf tissues and in excreted salt was influenced by salinity, as was the concentration of Zn in root tissue and excreted salt. Contrary to expectations, the concentration of Pb and Zn in excreted salts decreased as salinity increased. Although the influence of salinity on the concentration of Pb and Zn in S. alterniflora tissue has not been previously reported, the influence of salinity on the tissue concentrations of Pb agrees with previous research on dicots.
ISSN:1559-2723
1559-2731
DOI:10.1007/s12237-008-9087-y