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Eco-toxicological effects of two kinds of lead compounds on forest tree seed in alkaline soil

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Abstract

In order to compare the different eco-toxicological effects of lead nitrate and lead acetate on forest tree seed, a biological incubation experiment was conducted to testify the inhibition effects of two lead compounds on rates of seed germination, root and stem elongation, and seedling fresh weight for six plants (Amaorpha fruticosa L., Robinia psedoacacia L., Pinus tabuliformis Carr., Platycladus orientalis L., Koelreuteria paniculata Laxm., Hippophae rhamnoides L.) in soil. The results indicate that the inhibition effects of the two lead compounds on the rates of root elongation of plants were greater than other indices; root elongation can possibly be used as indices to investigate the relationship between lead toxicity and plant response. The response of trees to lead toxicity varied significantly, and the order of tolerance to lead pollution was as follows: Amaorpha fruticosa L. > Platycladus orientalis L. > Koelreuteria paniculata Laxm. > Robinia psedoacacia L. > Pinus tabuliformis Carr. > Hippophae rhamnoides L. Therefore, we suggest that Amaorpha fruticosa L. and Platycladus orientalis L. be used as tolerant plants for soil phytoremediation and Hippophae rhamnoides L. as an indicative plant to diagnose the toxicity of lead pollution on soil quality. Lead nitrate and lead acetate differentially restrain seeds, with seeds being more sensitive to lead nitrate than lead acetate in the soil. Thus, the characteristics of lead compounds should be taken into full consideration to appraise its impact on the environment.

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Acknowledgments

This research project (31170579) was financially supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China. I thank Prof. Dr. Jin-xin Wang for his excellent supervision. Much appreciation goes out to Fu-rong Zhou for the practical contribution in carrying out the experiments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University/Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and the Agri-environment in Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China

    Nan Yang, Fu-rong Zhou & Jin-xin Wang

  2. Department of Forest Botany and Tree Physiology, Georg August University Göttingen, Büsgenweg 2, 37077, Göttingen, Germany

    Nan Yang

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  1. Nan Yang
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  2. Fu-rong Zhou
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  3. Jin-xin Wang
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Correspondence to Jin-xin Wang.

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Yang, N., Zhou, Fr. & Wang, Jx. Eco-toxicological effects of two kinds of lead compounds on forest tree seed in alkaline soil. Environ Monit Assess 188, 201 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-016-5198-2

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