Bioaccumulation of metals and metalloids in medicinal plant Ipomoea pes‐caprae from areas impacted by tsunami

Abstract

Tsunami events may have an enormous impact on the functioning of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems by altering various relationships with biotic components. Concentrations of acid-leachable fractions of heavy metals and metalloids in soils and plant samples from areas affected by the December 2004 tsunami in Thailand were determined. Ipomoea pes-caprae, a common plant species growing along the seashore of this region, and frequently used in folk medicine, was selected to assess the presence of selected elements. Elevated amounts of Cd, Pb, Zn, and As in soil samples, and Pb, Zn, As, Se, Cr, and Ni in plant samples were determined from the tsunami-impacted regions for comparison with reference locations. The flowers of Ipomoea pes-caprae contained the highest amounts of these metals, followed by its leaves, and stems. In addition, its bioaccumulation factor (BAF) supports this capability of high metal uptake by Ipomoea pes-caprae from the areas affected by the tsunami in comparison with a reference site. This uptake was followed by the translocation of these elements to the various plant components. The presence of these toxic metals in Ipomoea pes-caprae growing in contaminated soils should be a concern of those who use this plant for medicinal purposes. Further studies on the content of heavy metals and metalloids in this plant in relation to human health concerns are recommended.

Study of the Copper, Chromium, Manganese and Zinc Contents in the Species <i>Azorella spinosa</i> (Apiaceae), Collected in the Maule Region, Chile

“…The Cu concentrations recorded in the species A. spinosa from the coastal and mountain zones of the Maule Region, Chile (Table 3) indicate that the levels are higher than the ranges published by other authors in similar species [27] [28] [29] [30]. It should be noted that the highest concentrations of Cu in plant tissue were recorded in the samples from the coastal zone, although the soils in the coastal and cordillera zones present similar values (Figure 2(a)).…”

Selection of Potential Plants as Phytoremediation for Heavy Metals in Estuarine Ecosystem: A Systematic Review

“…Several plants that have been mentioned above are reported to have an ability to have phytoremediation activity towards heavy metals in coastal habitat. This activity related to their high tolerance for salt and other abiotic stresses such as heavy metals [52]. Therefore, coastal plants have the potential to be used as heavy metals phytoremediation in estuaries.…”

“…Furthermore, Lutts [53] have reported that many areas in the world are contaminated with heavy metals. Moreover, based on their high ability to absorb various heavy metal elements, plants in coastal habitats can be utilized as bioindicators to detect local ecosystem contamination [52,[54][55][56]. In addition, one of advantages of coastal plants for heavy metals phytoremediation are their root morphology is able to resist erosion because the roots are able to bind sand [55].…”

The genome size, chromosome number and the seed adaption to long-distance dispersal of Ipomoea pes-caprae (L.)

“…Hence, IPC has been used as the first "green barrier" for sand fixation, island-greening, and the ecological restoration of coastal regions and islands and, reef construction. Current studies have confirmed that IPC can absorb various types of heavy metals from salty soil and stored in the flowers, leaves, and stems (Baker, 1981;Kozak et al, 2015). IPC is selected as an indicator to assess the presence of selected elements (Baker, 1981).…”