Symphyotrichum ericoides (Asteraceae) from naturally seleniferous habitat (Pine Ridge) was shown previously to have selenium (Se) hyperaccumulator properties in field and glasshouse studies, and to benefit from Se through protection from herbivory. To investigate whether Se hyperaccumulation is ubiquitous in S. ericoides or restricted to seleniferous soils, the S. ericoides Pine Ridge (PR) popu...

Hyperaccumulation of Ni by plants is hypothesized to function as an elemental defense against herbivores and pathogens. Laboratory experiments have documented toxic effects to herbivores consuming high-Ni plant tissues, but this paper reports the first experiment to examine the defensive effectiveness of Ni hyperaccumulation under field conditions. The experiment was conducted at an ultramafic ...

Selenium (Se) and sulfur (S) are chemically similar. Most plants cannot discriminate between the two, with the exception of Se hyperaccumulator species, which preferentially accumulate Se over S. Genetic engineering of various genes from the S/Se assimilation pathway has successfully enhanced plant Se tolerance, accumulation, and volatilization, in both laboratory and field. Results from genomi...

Hyperaccumulator plants are new alternative sources for elements of interest e.g., nickel, rare-earth (REEs), as concentrations in their aerial parts higher than common low-grade ores. The fern Dicranopteris linearis naturally grows on former mine tailings Southern China and is classified a REE hyperaccumulator. efficient recovery REEs fundamental to ensure economic viability limit the environm...

Abstract Aims The present study aimed at: (i) verifying the suitability of pure sewage sludge (SS) as growing medium for hyperaccumulator species ( Pteris vittata , Odontarrhena chalcidica, Astragalus bisulcatus and Noccaea caerulescens ); (ii) evaluating removal As, Ni, Se Zn operated by chosen species; (iii) estimating potential metal yields (bio-ore production) connected monetary rewards in ...

The ability of Thlaspi goesingense Hálácsy to hyperaccumulate Ni appears to be governed by its extraordinary degree of Ni tolerance. However, the physiological basis of this tolerance mechanism is unknown. We have investigated the role of vacuolar compartmentalization and chelation in this Ni tolerance. A direct comparison of Ni contents of vacuoles from leaves of T. goesingense and from the no...

To investigate the effects of two cadmium-tolerant bacteria, Staphylococcus pasteuri (S. pasteuri X1) and Agrobacterium tumefaciens (A. tumefaciens X2), on cadmium uptake by the cadmium hyperaccumulator plant Beta vulgaris var. cicla L., a pot experiment with artificially contaminated soil was conducted. The results demonstrated that both cadmium-tolerant bacteria enhanced the dry weight of Bet...

Contamination of heavy metals represents one of the most pressing threats to water and soil resources as well as human health. Phytoremediation can be potentially used to remediate metal-contaminated sites. This study evaluated the potential of 36plants (17species) growing on a contaminated site in North Florida. Plants and the associated soil samples were collected and analyzed for total metal...

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element for many organisms including humans, yet toxic at higher levels. Both Se deficiency and toxicity are problems worldwide. Since plants readily accumulate and volatilize Se, they may be used both as a source of dietary Se and for removing excess Se from the environment. Plant species differ in their capacity to metabolize and accumulate Se, from non-Se ...