Abstract
Increased dependence on thermal power has resulted in a significant increase in the generation of fly ash (FA), which exacerbates environmental pollution. In order to mitigate this source of pollution, we propose covering FA dumps with a layer of planted vegetation. Due to varying degrees of tolerance and their sessile nature, plants are themselves susceptible to stress from pollution. This suggests that an investigation to assess the role of wild growing plants for management of FA dumps, where selected wild plants could be grown to mitigate consequences of FA. The present study assesses oxidative damage and the foliar concentration of metals in Withania somnifera growing wild at the Badarpur Thermal Power Plant (BTPP) compared to those growing at a control site. Plants growing at the BTPP showed significantly higher foliar concentrations of Pb, Mn, and Fe, and low concentrations of Ni and Cd. The plants at the BTPP site showed signs of oxidative stress as indicated by enhanced levels of malondialdehyde and electrolyte leakage from cells. The CO2 assimilation rate, net photosynthetic rate, rate of transpiration, stomatal conductance decrease, while water use efficiency, and air pollution tolerance index increase. Among air pollution tolerance index parameters, relative water content showed a significant increase with FA pollution stress at the BTPP. A significant decrease was observed in leaf morphology single leaf area, leaf length, and leaf width and biochemical parameters (Chlorophyll a, Chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, and carotenoids. Moreover, FA pollution stress induces oxidative stress in W. somnifera through a significant and enhanced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). According to our observations, the ability of W. somnifera to effectively coordinate superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, and glutathione reductase activities involved in the scavenging of ROS along with the enhanced increment of nonenzyme activities (total ascorbic acid, proline, and oxidized glutathione) could be related to FA stress tolerance in W. somnifera.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Abbreviations
- TPP:
-
Thermal power plant
- BTTP:
-
Badarpur thermal power plant
- JMI:
-
Jamia Millia Islamia
- FA:
-
Fly ash
- BA:
-
Bottom ash
- CEC:
-
Cation exchange capacity
- OM:
-
Organic matter
- Chl.:
-
Chlorophyll
- SLA:
-
Single leaf area
- LL:
-
Leaf length
- LW:
-
Leaf width
- tAsA:
-
Total ascorbic acid
- FW:
-
Fresh weight
- DW:
-
Dry weight
- TW:
-
Turgid weight
- RWC:
-
Relative water content
- APTI:
-
Air pollution tolerance index
- pn :
-
Net photosynthetic rate
- Gs :
-
Stomatal conductance
- A :
-
CO2 assimilation rate
- E :
-
Transpiration rate
- WUE:
-
Water use efficiency
- O2 · − :
-
Superoxide radical
- H2O2 :
-
Hydrogen peroxide
- MDA:
-
Malondialdehyde
- EL:
-
Electrolytic leakage
- SOD:
-
Superoxidase dismutase
- APX:
-
Ascorbate peroxidase
- GR:
-
Glutathione reductase
- MDHAR:
-
Monodehydroascorbate reductase
- DHAR:
-
Dehydroascorbate reductase
- tGSH:
-
Total glutathione
- GSH:
-
Reduced glutathione
- GSSG:
-
Oxidized glutathione
- DHA:
-
Dehydroascorbate
References
Afshan S, Ali S, Bharwana SA et al (2015) Citric acid enhances the phytoextraction of chromium, plant growth, and photosynthesis by alleviating the oxidative damages in Brassica napus L. Environ Sci Pollut Res 22:11679–11689. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-015-4396-8
Ahmaruzzaman M (2010) A review on the utilization of fly ash. Prog Energy Combust Sci 36:327–363. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pecs.2009.11.003
Bates LS, Waldren R, Teare ID (1973) Rapid determination of free proline for water stress studies. Plant Soil 39:205–207
Beauchamp C, Fridovich I (1971) Superoxide dismutase: improved assays and an assay applicable to acrylamide gels. Anal Biochem 44:276–287. https://doi.org/10.1016/0003-2697(71)90370-8
Chaudhary SK, Rai UN, Mishra K et al (2011) Growth and metal accumulation potential of Vigna radiata L. grown under fly-ash amendments. Ecol Eng 37:1583–1588. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2011.04.004
Chen Z, Young TE, Ling J et al (2003) Increasing vitamin C content of plants through enhanced ascorbate recycling. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 100:3525–3530
Choudhary M, Jetley UK, Khan MA et al (2007) Effect of heavy metal stress on proline, malondialdehyde, and superoxide dismutase activity in the cyanobacterium Spirulina platensis -S5. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 66:204–209. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2006.02.002
Cropper M, Gamkhar S, Malik K et al (2012) The health effects of coal electricity generation in India. RFF Discuss Pap. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2093610
Dalton DA, Russell SA, Hanus F et al (1986) Enzymatic reactions of ascorbate and glutathione that prevent peroxide damage in soybean root nodules. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 83:3811–3815. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.83.11.3811
Fatma M, Asgher M, Masood A, Khan NA (2014) Environ Exp Bot. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envexpbot.2014.05.008
Foyer CH, Noctor G (2011) Ascorbate and glutathione: the heart of the redox hub 1. Plant Physiol 155:2–18. https://doi.org/10.1104/pp.110.167569
Gajić G, Djurdjević L, Kostić O et al (2016) Assessment of the phytoremediation potential and an adaptive response of Festuca rubra L. sown on fly ash deposits: native grass has a pivotal role in ecorestoration management. Ecol Eng 93:250–261. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2016.05.021
Gajic G, Pavlović P, Kostić O et al (2013) Ecophysiological and biochemical traits of three herbaceous plants growing on the disposed coal combustion fly ash of different weathering stage. Arch Biol Sci 65:1651–1667. https://doi.org/10.2298/ABS1304651G
Gill SS, Tuteja N (2010) Reactive oxygen species and antioxidant machinery in abiotic stress tolerance in crop plants. Plant Physiol Biochem 48:909–930. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plaphy.2010.08.016
Gillman GP, Sumpter EA (1986) Modification to the compulsive exchange method for measuring exchange characteristics of soils. Aust J Soil Res 24:61–66
Gupta DK, Rai UN, Tripathi RD, Inouhe M (2002) Impacts of fly-ash on soil and plant responses. J Plant Res 115:401–409
Gupta DK, Tripathi RD, Rai UN et al (2007) Growth and biochemical parameters of Cicer arietinum L. grown on amended fly ash. Environ Monit Assess 134:479–487. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-007-9638-x
Gupta GP (2016) Deposition and impact of urban atmospheric dust on two medicinal plants during different seasons in NCR Delhi. Aerosol Air Qual Res. https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.2015.04.0272
Gupta M, Kumar A, Yunus M (2000) Effect of fly-ash on metal composition and physiological responses in Leucaena leucocephala (Lamk.) De.Wit. Environ Monit Assess 61:399–406. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006169716006
Haynes RJ (2009) Reclamation and revegetation of fly ash disposal sites: challenges and research needs. J Environ Manage 90:43–53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2008.07.003
Heath RL, Packer L (1968) Photoperoxidation in isolated chloroplasts. Arch Biochem Biophys 125:189–198. https://doi.org/10.1016/0003-9861(68)90654-1
Hiscox JD, Israelstam GF (1979) A method for the extraction of chlorophyll from leaf tissue without maceration. Can J Bot 57:1332–1334. https://doi.org/10.1139/b79-163
Hossain AM, Nakano Y, Asada K (1984) Monodehydroascorbate reductase in spinach chloroplasts and its participation in regeneration of ascorbate for scavenging hydrogen peroxide. Plant Cell Physiol 25:385–395
Hossain MA, Piyatida P, Teixeira da silva JA, Fujita M (2012) Molecular mechanism of heavy metal toxicity and tolerance in plants: central role of glutathione in detoxification of reactive oxygen species and methylglyoxal and in heavy metal chelation. J Bot. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/872875
Hossain Z, Lopez-climent MF, Arbona V et al (2009) Modulation of the antioxidant system in citrus under waterlogging and subsequent drainage. J Plant Physiol 166:1391–1404. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jplph.2009.02.012
Jackson M (1958) Soil chemical analysis, 2nd edn. Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs
Joshi N, Chauhan ÆA, Joshi PC (2009) Impact of industrial air pollutants on some biochemical parameters and yield in wheat and mustard plants. Environmentalist 29:398–404. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10669-009-9218-4
Joshi PC, Swami A (2007) Physiological responses of some tree species under roadside automobile pollution stress around city of Haridwar, India. Environmentalist 27:365–374. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10669-007-9049-0
Kabata-Pendias A (2011) Trace elements in soils and plants, 4th edn. Taylor and Francis, New york
Kaur R, Nayyar H (2014) Ascorbic acid: a potent defender against environmental stresses. In: Ahmad P (ed) Oxidative damage to plants: antioxidant networks and signaling. Elsevier Inc., Amesterdam, pp 235–287
Keller T, Schwager H (1977) Air pollution and ascorbic acid. Eur J Pathol 7:338–350
Khan A, Baheera D (2013) Fly ash utilization 3rd international summit. New Delhi
Kumar A, Vajpayee P, Ali MB et al (2002) Biochemical responses of Cassia siamea Lamk. Grown on coal combustion residue (fly-ash). Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 68:675–683. https://doi.org/10.1007/s001280307
Kumari A, Chandra V, Nath UR (2013a) Feasibility of fern Thelypteris dentata for revegetation of coal fl y ash land fi lls. J Geochem Explor 128:147–152. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gexplo.2013.02.005
Kumari A, Pandey VC, Rai UN (2013b) Feasibility of fern Thelypteris dentata for revegetation of coal fly ash landfills. J Geochem Explor 128:147–152. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gexplo.2013.02.005
Love A, Banerjee BD, Babu CR (2013) Assessment of oxidative stress markers and concentrations of selected elements in the leaves of Cassia occidentalis growing wild on a coal fly ash basin. Environ Asses Monit. 185:6553–6562. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-012-3046-6
Mathur R, Chand S, Tezuka T (2003) Optimal use of coal for power generation in India. Energy Policy 31:319–331. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0301-4215(02)00067-8
Mitrović M, Jarić S, Kostić O et al (2012) Photosynthetic efficiency of four woody species growing on fly ash deposits of a Serbian “Nikola Tesla - A” thermoelectric plant. Pol J Environ Stud 21:1339–1347
Mittler R (2002) Oxidative stress, antioxidants and stress tolerance. Trends Plant Sci 7:405–410. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1360-1385(02)02312-9
Nakano Y, Asada K (1981) Hydrogen peroxide is scavenged by ascorbate-specific peroxidase in spinach chloroplasts. Plant Cell Physiol 22:867–880
Nawab J, Khan S, Shah MT et al (2015) Quantification of heavy metals in mining affected soil and their bioaccumulation in native plant species. Int J Phytorem 17:801–813. https://doi.org/10.1080/15226514.2014.981246
Nayak AK, Raja R, Rao KS et al (2015) Effect of fly ash application on soil microbial response and heavy metal accumulation in soil and rice plant. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 114:257–262. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2014.03.033
Nayyar H (2003) Accumulation of osmolytes and osmotic adjustment in water- stressed wheat (Triticum aestivum ) and maize (Zea mays) as affected by calcium and its antagonists. Environ Exp Bot 50:253–264. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0098-8472(03)00038-8
Pandey AK, Pandey M, Tripathi BD (2015) Air Pollution Tolerance Index of climber plant species to develop Vertical Greenery Systems in a polluted tropical city. Landsc Urban Plan 144:119–127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2015.08.014
Pandey AK, Pandey M, Tripathi BD (2014) Assessment of Air Pollution Tolerance Index of some plants to develop vertical gardens near street canyons of a polluted tropical city. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2015.08.028
Pandey VC, Singh B (2012) Rehabilitation of coal fly ash basins: current need to use ecological engineering. Ecol Eng 49:190–192. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2012.08.037
Pandey VC (2015) Assisted phytoremediation of fly ash dumps through naturally colonized plants. Ecol Eng 82:1–5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2015.04.002
Pandey VC, Abhilash PC, Singh N (2009) The Indian perspective of utilizing fly ash in phytoremediation, phytomanagement and biomass production. J Environ Manage 90:2943–2958. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2009.05.001
Pandey VC, Singh JS, Kumar A, Tewari DD (2010) Accumulation of heavy metals by chickpea grown in fly ash treated soil: effect on antioxidants. Clean: Soil, Air, Water 38:1116–1123. https://doi.org/10.1002/clen.201000178
Pavlović P, Mitrović M, Djurdjević L et al (2007) The Ecological potential of Spiraea van-hauttei ( Briot.) Zabel for Urban (the City of Belgrade) and fly ash deposit (Obrenovac) landscaping in Serbia. Polish J Environ Stud 16:427–431
Qadir SU, Raja V, Siddiqui WA (2016a) Morphological and biochemical changes in Azadirachta indica from coal combustion fly ash dumping site from a thermal power plant in Delhi, India. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 1:4. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2016.03.026
Qadir SU, Raja V, Siddiqui WA (2016b) Accrual of some toxic metals and metalloids in two commonly used vegetables irrigated with fly ash waste water around Badarpur thermal power Plant in Delhi, India. Curr Environ Eng 1:1–10. https://doi.org/10.2174/22127178046661612191546
Qadir SU, Raja V, Siddiqui WA et al (2019) Fly-ash pollution modulates growth, biochemical attributes, antioxidant activity and gene expression in pithecellobium dulce (Roxb) benth. Plants 8:1–18. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants8120528
Rai PK (2016) Impacts of particulate matter pollution on plants: Implications for environmental biomonitoring. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 129:120–136. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2016.03.012
Raja R, Nayak AK, Rao KS et al (2014) Effect of fly ash deposition on photosynthesis, growth and yield of rice. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 93:106–112. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-014-1282-x
Ram LC, Masto RE (2010) An appraisal of the potential use of fly ash for reclaiming coal mine spoil. J Environ Manage 91:603–617. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2009.10.004
Randelovic D, Gajic G, Mutic J et al (2016) Ecological potential of Epilobium dodonaei Vill. for restoration of metalliferous mine wastes. Ecol Eng 95:800–810. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2016.07.015
Rao MV (1992) Cellular detoxifying mechanisms determine the age dependent injury in tropical trees exposed to SO2. J Plant Physiol 140:733–740. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0176-1617(11)81031-X
Saxena P, Kulshrestha U (2016) Plant responses to air pollution. In: Kulshrestha U, Saxena P (eds) Plant responses to air pollution, 1st edn. Springer, New Delhi, pp 1–165
Shanker AK, Djanaguiraman M, Sudhagar R et al (2004) Differential antioxidative response of ascorbate glutathione pathway enzymes and metabolites to chromium speciation stress in green gram (Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek. cv CO 4) roots. Plant Sci 166:1035–1043. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plantsci.2003.12.015
Sharma AP, Tripathi BD (2009) Biochemical responses in tree foliage exposed to coal-fired power plant emission in seasonally dry tropical environment. Environ Monit Assess 158:197–212. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-008-0573-2
Sharma P, Jha AB, Dubey RS, Pessarakli M (2012) Reactive oxygen species, oxidative damage, and antioxidative defense mechanism in plants under stressful conditions. J Bot 2012:1–26. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/217037
Singh A, Lawrence K, Pandit S, Lawrence R (2014) Response of leaves, stems and roots of Withania somnifera to copper stress. Int J Plant Anim Environ Sci 4:60–67
Singh A, Sharma RK, Agrawal SB (2008) Effects of fly ash incorporation on heavy metal accumulation, growth and yield responses of Beta vulgaris plants. Biores Technol 99:7200–7207. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2007.12.064
Singh H, Yadav M, Kumar N et al (2020) Assessing adaptation and mitigation potential of roadside trees under the influence of vehicular emissions: a case study of Grevillea robusta and Mangifera indica planted in an urban city of India. PLoS ONE. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0227380
Singh SK, Rao DN, Agrawal M et al (1991) Air pollution tolerance index of plants. J Environ Manag 32:45–55
Sinha S, Gupta AK (2005) Translocation of metals from fly ash amended soil in the plant of Sesbania cannabina L. Ritz: effect on antioxidants. Chemosphere 61:1204–1214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2005.02.063
Talukdar D (2013) Arsenic-induced oxidative stress in the common bean legume, Phaseolus vulgaris L. seedlings and its amelioration by exogenous nitric oxide. Physiol Mol Biol Plants 19:69–79. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12298-012-0140-8
Tanaka K, Takeuchi E, Kubo A et al (1991) Two immunologically different lsozymes of ascorbate peroxidase from spinach leaves. Arch Biochem Biophys 286:371–375
Técher D, Laval-Gilly P, Bennasroune A et al (2012) An appraisal of Miscanthus x giganteus cultivation for fly ash revegetation and soil restoration. Ind Crops Prod 36:427–433. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2011.10.009
Verma A, Singh SN (2006) Biochemical and ultrastructural changes in plant foliage exposed to auto-pollution. Environ Monit Assess 120:585–602. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-005-9105-5
Verma C, Madan S, Hussain A (2016) Heavy metal contamination of groundwater due to fly ash disposal of coal-fired thermal power plant. Cogent Eng 139:1–8. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311916.2016.1179243
Zandalinas SI, Balfagón D, Arbona V, Gómez-cadenas A (2017) Modulation of antioxidant defense system is associated with combined drought and heat stress tolerance in citrus. Front Plant Sci Sci 8:1–10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2017.00953
Zhang J, Li X, Zhou L et al (2016) Analysis of effects of a new environmental pollutant, bisphenol A, on antioxidant systems in soybean roots at different growth stages. Sci Rep 6:23782. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep23782
Acknowledgements
Z. H khan from IIT Delhi and faculty members of AIRF Jawaharlal Nehru University are highly acknowledged for providing necessary facilities for conducting this work. The authors would like to extend their sincere appreciation to the Researchers Supporting Project Number (RSP-2020/180), King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
SUQ, VR, WAS outlined the experimental setup. SUQ, VR, WAS wrote the initial draft of the manuscript. MNA and PA analyzed the data. MNA and PA revised the manuscript to the present form. The manuscript was read by all authors and approved for submission.
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Qadir, S.U., Raja, V., Siddiqui, W.A. et al. Foliar Concentrations of Selected Elements, Assessment of Oxidative Stress Markers and Role of Antioxidant Defense System is Associated with Fly Ash Stress Tolerance in Withania somnifera. J Plant Growth Regul 40, 1450–1465 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00344-020-10200-6
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00344-020-10200-6