The toxic metal stress in two mosses of different growth forms under axenic and controlled conditions

Abstract

Bryophytes are widely used in monitoring environmental changes and various types of pollution. Features such as longevity and direct intake by the whole body make them very good models for bioindication. However, there is a considerable lack of knowledge on the coping, resistance and tolerance mechanisms to toxic elements within representatives of this second largest group of terrestrial plants. We tested two different growth form mosses, acrocarpous Atrichum undulatum and pleurocarpous Hypnum cupressiforme in axenic in vitro fully controlled laboratory conditions, thus eliminating additional side, antagonistic or synergistic effects. These mosses were exposed to three concentrations (including control) of zinc-, copper- or cadmium-acetate for a short and long period, and their growth, development and biochemical parameters were recorded. The results showed that reactions to stress are both species and metal-specific. Also, the short and long-term exposure times and the level of toxic elements played a role in species response and showed the differences between the two moss growth forms and species. Among the investigated parameters considered in the two mosses tested, the multiplication index proved to be the most useful and sensitive in detecting the metal pollution effects. On the other hand, the concentration of chl a seemed to vary over a rather small range between the stressed moss species. Overall, copper was shown to be quite toxic compared to the other two metals at lower applied concentration. However, the studied mosses demonstrated decreased viability according to all of the parameters tested in the media enriched with high concentrations of cadmium when compared with copper and zinc. These results suggest that species studies related to different metals/pollutants in small scale controlled conditions are urgently needed before application in broad areas monitored by mosses.

Non-Protein Thiol Compounds and Antioxidant Responses Involved in Bryophyte Heavy-Metal Tolerance

“…Similar alterations were observed by Choudhury and Panda [ 38 , 39 ], in the moss Taxithelium nepalense after Pb and As exposure. Other studies pointed out the fact that heavy metal uptake causes a decrease in chlorophyll content [ 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 ], and a decrease in photosynthetic activity [ 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 ]. These changes at the cellular level cause toxicity at the organism level due to alteration of the normal metabolism.…”

“…These changes at the cellular level cause toxicity at the organism level due to alteration of the normal metabolism. In fact, some other investigations reported growth inhibition of bryophytes exposed to toxic metals such as Pb and Cd [ 43 , 49 , 50 , 51 ].…”

The Conservation Physiology of Bryophytes

“…Many inferred opinions are easily taken as being scientifically valid, but sometimes, unexpected features may be found. The response to heavy metals, tolerance and resistance seems to be species- or even genotype-specific (e.g., [ 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 ]). However, sometimes, some rare and threatened species can be unexpectedly found in toxically loaded habitats (e.g., Helodium blandowii (F. Weber & D. Mohr) Warnst [ 61 , 62 ]), indicating obscure knowledge on the functional traits of rare and threatened species and raising the significance of the further development of the conservation physiology of bryophytes.…”

Effects of Cesium on Physiological Traits of the Catherine’s Moss Atrichum undulatum Hedw.

“…Some acrocarp mosses, such as Catherine’s moss ( Atrichum undulatum Hedw.) have also been found to accumulate trace metals from the environment [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ]. However, there is little information on A. undulatum ’s capacity for bioaccumulation.…”