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Exploring the Cr(VI) Phytoremediation Potential of Cosmos bipinnatus

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Abstract

Seedlings of Cosmos bipinnatus were cultured in vitro for 30 days on modified Murashige–Skoog medium supplemented with four different concentrations of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI); 0.0–2.0 mM). Seed germination occurred after 7 days of culture, but was significantly lower when cultured in 2.0 mM Cr(VI) than when cultured without Cr(VI) in the medium. Seedlings were able to survive heavy metal stress condition, irrespectively of the Cr(VI) concentration used. The seedlings showed two metal tolerance mechanisms that were dependent on chromium concentration: (1) metal exclusion at 0.0–0.5 mM and (2) metal accumulation at 1.0–2.0 mM. Regarding the latter mechanism, seedlings showed metal accumulation values considered as characteristic of hyperaccumulator species. The highest bioaccumulation in dry tissue was of 5443 mg Cr kg−1 in shoot and 4767 mg Cr kg−1 in root for seedlings cultured with 2.0 mM of Cr(VI). These results indicated that substantial Cr translocation from the roots unto shoots took place (translocation factor > 1.14) associated to a bioaccumulation factor for Cr(VI) greater than 98.

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Acknowledgements

Author Buendía-González wishes to thank the Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACyT) for the partial financing of this work through project grant “Biorremediación para la conservación de la biodiversidad,” and also LB-G thanks the Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México for the partial financing of this project through grant 3422/2013CHT.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Biotecnología, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa, San Rafael Atlixco 186, Col. Vicentina, Del. Iztapalapa, C.P. 09340, Mexico, D.F., Mexico

    M. A. Santiago-Cruz & F. Cruz-Sosa

  2. Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Campus El Cerrillo, Piedras Blancas, Carretera Toluca-Ixtlahuaca km. 15.5, C.P. 50200, Toluca, Estado de Mexico, Mexico

    E. Villagrán-Vargas, A. S. Velázquez-Rodríguez & L. Buendía-González

  3. Departamento de Procesos e Hidráulica, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa, San Rafael Atlixco 186, Col. Vicentina, Del. Iztapalapa, C.P. 09340, Mexico, D.F., Mexico

    E. J. Vernon-Carter

  4. Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Paseo Colón esq. Paseo Tollocán s/n, Col. Residencial Colón, C.P. 50120, Toluca, Estado de Mexico, Mexico

    J. Orozco-Villafuerte

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  1. M. A. Santiago-Cruz
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  2. E. Villagrán-Vargas
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  3. A. S. Velázquez-Rodríguez
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  4. E. J. Vernon-Carter
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  5. F. Cruz-Sosa
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  6. J. Orozco-Villafuerte
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  7. L. Buendía-González
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Correspondence to J. Orozco-Villafuerte.

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Santiago-Cruz, M.A., Villagrán-Vargas, E., Velázquez-Rodríguez, A.S. et al. Exploring the Cr(VI) Phytoremediation Potential of Cosmos bipinnatus . Water Air Soil Pollut 225, 2166 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-014-2166-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-014-2166-8

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