The Experts below are selected from a list of 312 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Isabel Cacador - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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stock and losses of trace metals from Salt Marsh Plants
Marine Environmental Research, 2009Co-Authors: Isabel Cacador, Bernardo Duarte, Miguel Caetano, Carlos ValeAbstract:Abstract Pools of Zn, Cu, Cd and Co in the leaf, stem and root tissues of Sarcocornia fruticosa , Sarcocornia perennis, Halimione portulacoides and Spartina maritima were analysed for a Tagus estuary (Portugal) Salt Marsh. Pools of Cu and Cd in the Salt Marsh were higher in spring/summer, indicating a net uptake of these metals during the growing season. Standing stocks of Zn, Cu, Cd and Co in the leaf and stem biomass of S. fruticosa , S. perennis and H. portulacoides showed a strong seasonal variation, with higher values recorded in autumn. The metal-containing leaves and stems that shed in the autumn become metal-containing detritus. The amount of this material washed out from the total Marsh area (200 ha) was estimated as 68 kg of Zn, 8.2 kg of Cu, 13 kg of Co and 0.35 kg of Cd. The high tidal amplitude, a branched system of channels and semi-diurnal tidal cycle greatly favour the export of the organic detritus to adjoining Marsh areas.
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short term sedimentation in tagus estuary portugal the influence of Salt Marsh Plants
Hydrobiologia, 2007Co-Authors: Nuno Salgueiro, Isabel CacadorAbstract:Short-term sediment deposition was studied at four Salt Marsh areas in the Tagus estuary. In areas covered with Sarcocornia perennis, Sarcocornia fruticosa, Halimione portulacoides and Spartina maritima and also in the non-vegetated areas, sedimentation was measured as the monthly accumulation of sediments on nylon filters anchored on the soil surface, from August 2000 to May 2001. Our experiments were used also to determine the influence of the different plant species in vertical accretion rates. Short-term sedimentation rates (from 2.8 to 272.3 g m−2 d−1) did show significant differences when the four Salt Marshes studied in the Tagus estuary were compared to each others. Salt Marshes closer to the sediment sources had higher sedimentation rates. Our results suggest that the Salt Marsh type and surface cover may provide small-scale variations in sedimentation and also that sediment deposition values do change according to the position of the different plant species within the Salt Marsh. Sedimentation is an essential factor in Salt Marsh vertical accretion studies and our investigation may provide support to help forecast the adaptative response of the Tagus estuary wetlands to future sea level rise.
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temporal and spatial variation of arbuscular mycorrhizas in Salt Marsh Plants of the tagus estuary portugal
Mycorrhiza, 2001Co-Authors: Luis Miguel Carvalho, Isabel Cacador, M A MartinsloucaoAbstract:The factors which may influence temporal and spatial variation in plant arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) colonization and propagule occurrence were evaluated in a Portuguese Salt Marsh poor in plant diversity. Two distinct sites were studied: a more-flooded (low Marsh) and a less-flooded zone (high Marsh). AM root colonization, AM fungal spore number and inoculum potential, soil edaphic parameters and tidal flooding time periods were analysed. Levels of AM colonization were considerable in Aster tripolium and Inula crithmoides but very low in Puccinellia maritima and non-existent in Spartina maritima, Halimione portulacoides, Arthrocnemum fruticosum and Arthrocnemum perenne. Fungal diversity was very low, with Glomus geosporum dominant at both Marsh zones. Colonization showed no spatial variation within Marsh zones but temporal variation was observed in the high Marsh, dependent on plant phenological phases. In the low Marsh, no significantly seasonal variation was observed. Apparently, plant phenological events were diluted by stressful conditions (e.g. flooding, salinity). Spore density was significantly different between Marsh zones and showed temporal variation in both zones. This study showed that distribution of mycorrhizas in Salt Marsh is more dependent on host plant species than on environmental stresses.
Marisa C R Almeida - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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metal accumulation in estuarine Plants investigating the effect on the levels of non protein thiols in roots of different Salt Marsh Plants
2018Co-Authors: Cristina A S Rocha, Teresa M S D Vasconcelos, Clara M P Basto, Simone Cavenati, Marisa C R AlmeidaAbstract:In natural environment, Plants are exposed to constant biotic and abiotic stresses (including exposure to trace metals) which may unbalance their equilibrium. As a result, Plants have developed important defense mechanisms as, for instance, the production of low molecular weight thiols such as cysteine (Cys) and reduced glutathione (GSH). Much effort has been put into studying the response of soil Plants continuously exposed to metals, in terms of thiols production. However, research on this topic involving Salt Marsh Plants is still relatively scarce. Therefore, more information is needed on the contents of thiol compounds as well as on the factors that influence their production in Plants inhabiting estuarine environments. Therefore, the levels of non-protein thiols (NPT) (namely, cysteine (Cys), reduced glutathione (GSH), oxidized glutathione (GSSG)) and total acid-soluble SH compounds (Total Thiols) in roots of several Salt Marsh Plants (Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud., Juncus maritimus Lam., Triglochin striata Ruiz & Pav. and Halimione portulacoides L. Aelen) collected at two River estuaries subjected to different anthropogenic pressures were determined. A possible relationship between the content of each NPT in root tissues and that of a trace metal accumulated was also assessed. The content of thiolic compounds varied in function of the plant species and the sediment colonized by the Plants. T. striata was the Marsh plant presenting tendentiously higher contents of GSH and GSSG and containing the highest levels of Total Thiols (in specimens from both estuaries). Significant correlations were found between GSH and Cu concentration and between GSSG and Cd and Pb concentration. Results suggest that GSH plays a prominent role in the protection of Salt Marsh Plants cells against metal toxicity, feature of great relevance for application of these Plants in phytoremediation procedures.
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silver nanoparticles uptake by Salt Marsh Plants implications for phytoremediation processes and effects in microbial community dynamics
Marine Pollution Bulletin, 2017Co-Authors: Joana Fernandes, Carlos A R Gomes, Ana P Mucha, Telmo Francisco, Marisa C R AlmeidaAbstract:Abstract This study investigated the uptake of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by a Salt Marsh plant, Phragmites australis, as well as AgNPs effects on rhizospheric microbial community, evaluating the implications for phytoremediation processes. Experiments were carried out with elutriate solution doped with Ag, either in ionic form or in NP form. Metal uptake was evaluated in plant tissues, elutriate solutions and sediments (by AAS) and microbial community was characterized in terms of bacterial community structure (evaluated by ARISA). Results showed Ag accumulation but only in plant belowground tissues and only in the absence of rhizosediment, the presence of sediment reducing Ag availability. But in plant roots Ag accumulation was higher when Ag was in NP form. Multivariate analysis of ARISA profiles showed significant effect of the absence/presence of Ag either in ionic or NP form on microbial community structure, although without significant differences among bacterial richness and diversity. Overall, P. australis can be useful for phytoremediation of medium contaminated with Ag, including with AgNPs. However, the presence of Ag in either forms affected the microbial community structure, which may cause disturbances in ecosystems function and compromise phytoremediation processes. Such considerations need to be address regarding environmental management strategies applied to the very important estuarine areas. Capsule The form in which the metal was added affected metal uptake by Phragmites australis and rhizosediment microbial community structure, which can affect phytoremediation.
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response of microbial communities colonizing Salt Marsh Plants rhizosphere to copper oxide nanoparticles contamination and its implications for phytoremediation processes
Science of The Total Environment, 2017Co-Authors: Joana Fernandes, Marisa C R Almeida, Federico Andreotti, Leandro Barros, Tânia Almeida, Ana P MuchaAbstract:This study aimed to investigate Cu oxide nanoparticles (CuO NP) effect on microbial communities associated with Salt Marsh Plants (Halimione portulacoides and Pragmites australis) rhizosphere and its implications for phytoremediation processes. Experiments were conducted, under controlled conditions, over one week. Rhizosediment soaked in the respective elutriate (a simplified natural medium) with or without Plants, was doped with CuO NP or with Cu in ionic form. Microbial community in rhizosediments was characterized in terms of abundance (by DAPI) and structure (by ARISA). Metal uptake by Plants was evaluated by measuring Cu in plant tissues (by atomic absorption spectroscopy). Results revealed significant metal uptake but only in plant roots, which was significantly lower (H. portulacoides) or not significant (P. australis) when the metal was in NP form. Microbial community structure was significantly changed by the treatment (absence/presence of Cu, ionic Cu or CuO NP) as showed by multivariate analysis of ARISA profiles and confirmed by analysis of similarities (Global test - one way ANOSIM). Moreover, in P. australis rhizosediments microbial abundance, bacterial richness and diversity indexes were significantly affected (increased or decreased) due to metal presence whereas in H. portulacoides rhizosediment microbial abundance showed a significant decrease, particularly when the metal was in NP form. Accordingly, Cu presence affected the response of the rhizosphere microbial community and in some cases that response was significantly different when Cu was in NP form. The response of the microbial communities to Cu NP might also contribute to the lower metal accumulation by Plants when the metal was in this form. So, Cu NP may cause disturbances in ecosystems functions, ultimately affecting phytoremediation processes. These facts should be considered regarding the use of appropriate Salt Marshes Plants to remediate moderately impacted areas such as estuaries, where NPs can be found.
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interactions between Salt Marsh Plants and cu nanoparticles effects on metal uptake and phytoremediation processes
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 2015Co-Authors: Ana P Mucha, Federico Andreotti, Catia Caetano, Paula Rodrigues, Carlos A R Gomes, Marisa C R AlmeidaAbstract:Abstract The increased use of metallic nanoparticles (NPs) raises the probability of finding NPs in the environment. A lot of information exists already regarding interactions between Plants and metals, but information regarding interactions between metallic NPs and Plants, including Salt Marsh Plants, is still lacking. This work aimed to study interactions between CuO NPs and the Salt Marsh Plants Halimione portulacoides and Phragmites australis. In addition, the potential of these Plants for phytoremediation of Cu NPs was evaluated. Plants were exposed for 8 days to sediment elutriate solution doped either with CuO or with ionic Cu. Afterwards, total metal concentrations were determined in plant tissues. Both Plants accumulated Cu in their roots, but this accumulation was 4 to 10 times lower when the metal was added in NP form. For P. australis, metal translocation occurred when the metal was added either in ionic or in NP form, but for H. portulacoides no metal translocation was observed when NPs were added to the medium. Therefore, interactions between Plants and NPs differ with the plant species. These facts should be taken in consideration when applying these Plants for phytoremediation of contaminated sediments in estuaries, as the environmental management of these very important ecological areas can be affected.
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response of two Salt Marsh Plants to short and long term contamination of sediment with cadmium
Journal of Soils and Sediments, 2015Co-Authors: Marta Nunes Da Silva, Carlos A R Gomes, Ana P Mucha, Cristina A S Rocha, Marisa C R AlmeidaAbstract:Purpose This work evaluated the response of two SaltMarsh Plants, Juncus maritimus and Phragmites australis, to short- and long-term exposure to sediment contaminated with Cd.
Maria J Pujalte - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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vibrio palustris sp nov and vibrio spartinae sp nov two novel members of the gazogenes clade isolated from Salt Marsh Plants arthrocnemum macrostachyum and spartina maritima
International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology, 2017Co-Authors: Teresa Lucena, David R Arahal, Maria A Ruvira, Salvadora Navarrotorre, Jennifer Mesa, Eloisa Pajuelo, Ignacio D Rodriguezllorente, Lidia Rodrigotorres, Maria J Pinar, Maria J PujalteAbstract:Two bacterial strains, EAod9T and SMJ21T, isolated from Salt-Marsh Plants, were determined to be related to species of the genus Vibrio from from 16S rRNA sequence comparisons. Their closest phylogenetic relatives are members of the Gazogenes clade, Vibrio mangrovi and Vibrio rhizosphaerae , which show the greatest similarity to the SMJ21TrRNA sequence (97.3 and 97.1 %, respectively), while EAod9T had less than 97.0 % similarity to any other species of the genus Vibrio . Both strains share the basic characteristics of the genus Vibrio , as they are Gram-stain negative, motile, slightly halophilic, facultatively anaerobic bacteria. In addition, they are oxidase-negative and unable to grow on TCBS Agar; they grow between 15 to 26 °C, pH 6 to 8 and in up to 10 % (w/v) total salinity. They produce indol, are positive in the Voges-Proskauer test and are negative for arginine dihydrolase, lysine and ornithine decarboxylases. Strain SMJ21T is aerogenic and red-pigmented, due to prodigiosin production, while strain EAod9T ferments glucose without gas and is not pigmented. The major cellular fatty acids of both novel strains were C16 : 1ω7c/C16 : 1ω6c and C16 : 0. WGSobtained for both strains, along with the other five members of the clade, allowed the determination of ANI indexes and in silico estimations of DDH values, which confirmed that the two strains represent two novel species of the genus Vibrio: Vibrio palustris sp. nov. (with EAod9T=CECT 9027T=LMG 29724T as the proposed type strain) and Vibrio spartinae sp. nov. (with SMJ21T=CECT 9026T=LMG 29723T as the proposed type strain).
Teresa M S D Vasconcelos - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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metal accumulation in estuarine Plants investigating the effect on the levels of non protein thiols in roots of different Salt Marsh Plants
2018Co-Authors: Cristina A S Rocha, Teresa M S D Vasconcelos, Clara M P Basto, Simone Cavenati, Marisa C R AlmeidaAbstract:In natural environment, Plants are exposed to constant biotic and abiotic stresses (including exposure to trace metals) which may unbalance their equilibrium. As a result, Plants have developed important defense mechanisms as, for instance, the production of low molecular weight thiols such as cysteine (Cys) and reduced glutathione (GSH). Much effort has been put into studying the response of soil Plants continuously exposed to metals, in terms of thiols production. However, research on this topic involving Salt Marsh Plants is still relatively scarce. Therefore, more information is needed on the contents of thiol compounds as well as on the factors that influence their production in Plants inhabiting estuarine environments. Therefore, the levels of non-protein thiols (NPT) (namely, cysteine (Cys), reduced glutathione (GSH), oxidized glutathione (GSSG)) and total acid-soluble SH compounds (Total Thiols) in roots of several Salt Marsh Plants (Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud., Juncus maritimus Lam., Triglochin striata Ruiz & Pav. and Halimione portulacoides L. Aelen) collected at two River estuaries subjected to different anthropogenic pressures were determined. A possible relationship between the content of each NPT in root tissues and that of a trace metal accumulated was also assessed. The content of thiolic compounds varied in function of the plant species and the sediment colonized by the Plants. T. striata was the Marsh plant presenting tendentiously higher contents of GSH and GSSG and containing the highest levels of Total Thiols (in specimens from both estuaries). Significant correlations were found between GSH and Cu concentration and between GSSG and Cd and Pb concentration. Results suggest that GSH plays a prominent role in the protection of Salt Marsh Plants cells against metal toxicity, feature of great relevance for application of these Plants in phytoremediation procedures.
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Salt Marsh Plants potential for the remediation of hydrocarbon contaminated environments
2015Co-Authors: Marisa C R Almeida, Nazare Couto, Hugo Ribeiro, Ana P Mucha, Adriano A Bordalo, Clara M P Basto, Teresa M S D VasconcelosAbstract:Petroleum contamination can cause serious damage to ecosystems, and natural biological processes may be convenient alternatives to minimise ecological impacts. However, these are long processes, and approaches to accelerate them are needed. In this chapter two studies carried out to ascertain the phytoremediation potential of Salt Marsh Plants for the remediation of hydrocarbon-contaminated environments in near-natural controlled conditions are reported. In the first study, the suitability of Juncus maritimus and Phragmites australis for rhizodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated estuarine sediment, the medium where the Plants grow, was assessed. The second study involved soil contaminated with petrochemical products and evaluated the capability of Halimione portulacoides, Juncus maritimus and Scirpus maritimus for soil remediation. Results indicate that Salt Marsh Plants, or Salt-tolerant Marsh Plants, can have an important role in the restoration and remediation of not only hydrocarbon-contaminated sediments but also hydrocarbon-contaminated nonsaline soils. However, the specificities of the plant species, the environmental conditions and the time frame should be well thought out when engaging a revegetation of hydrocarbon-polluted sites with these Plants.
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evaluation of the potential of Salt Marsh Plants for metal phytoremediation in estuarine environment
2013Co-Authors: Marisa C R Almeida, Ana P Mucha, Cristina A S Rocha, Teresa M S D VasconcelosAbstract:Constant discharge of pollutants into the environment, namely at Salt Marshes, poses a serious problem. Hence, remediation of these ecosystems is crucial not only for their conservation, but also to prevent the propagation of pollutants into the food web. Salt Marsh Plants have been suggested as suitable alternatives for soil/sediment remediation, having shown potential for the phytoremediation of metal-polluted media. However, more studies in conditions as close as possible to those found in the environment are needed to really confirm this potential; this is the aim of the two studies reported in this chapter. The first study results showed the capability of the Salt Marsh plant Halimione portulacoides for accumulating high metal levels from metal-polluted in its tissues, indicating, however, that a high plant biomass will be required for phytoremediating metal-affected areas. The second study results indicate that both Juncus maritimus and Phragmites australis have the capacity to be Cd phytostabilizers indicating that these Plants can contribute to the recovery of impacted estuarine areas. More experiments should now be carried out to confirm the phytoremediation applicability in the estuarine environment and to assess ways to improve the capability shown by these Plants for phytostabilization of metals.
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suitability of different Salt Marsh Plants for petroleum hydrocarbons remediation
Chemosphere, 2011Co-Authors: Nazare M P F S Couto, Clara M P Basto, Teresa M S D VasconcelosAbstract:The suitability of the Salt-Marsh species Halimione portulacoides, Scirpus maritimus, Juncus maritimus and an association of the last two for remediation of petroleum hydrocarbons (PHC) in soil was investigated. An outdoor laboratory experiment (microcosm-scale) was carried out using contaminated soil collected in a refinery, as a complement of another study carried out in the refinery environment (mesocosm-scale). Soil samples with old contamination (mainly crude oil) and with a mixture of the old and recent (turbine oil) contamination were tested. Studies in both micro- and mesocosm-scale provided results coherent in substance. The presence of S. maritimus caused removal of old contamination which was refractory to natural attenuation (after 7 months of exposure, efficiency was 13% when only old contamination was present and 40% when the soil also contained recent contamination). H. portulacoides (only included in the microcosm-scale study) revealed also potentiality for PHC remediation, although with less efficiency than S. maritimus. Degradation of recent contamination was also faster in the presence of Plants (after 7 months: 100% in the presence of S. maritimus vs. 63% in its absence). As these species are common in Salt Marsh areas in Atlantic coast of Europe, it is probable they will be also useful for recovering coast sediments. In contrast, J. maritimus and association did not reveal capability to remove PHC from soil, the presence of J. maritimus inhibiting the capability of S. maritimus.
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can Salt Marsh Plants influence levels and distribution of ddts in estuarine areas
Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science, 2011Co-Authors: Pedro N Carvalho, Clara M P Basto, Pedro Nuno R Rodrigues, Rafael Evangelista, Teresa M S D VasconcelosAbstract:Sediments are depositories of toxic substances such as organochlorine pesticides and there is a global need for their removal in contaminated environments. Studies that combine contaminated sediments and phytoremediation are relatively recent and their number has been increasing. This work aimed to investigate whether Salt Marsh Plants (sea club-rush Scirpus maritimus, sea rush Juncus maritimus and sea purslane Halimione portulacoides) can favor DDT and metabolites remediation in estuarine environment. For this purpose the levels of DDT, DDE and DDD were compared in vegetated and non-vegetated sediments from an estuary in the North of Portugal (in-situ study) and from another in the South of Portugal (ex-situ study). Results obtained both in the in-situ study, involving S. maritimus and J. maritimus, and in the ex-situ study, involving H. portulacoides, indicated that these Plants did not have a significant role in DDTs removal and/or degradation. Therefore, it seems that the tested Plants cannot influence levels and distribution of DDTs in estuarine areas.
Ana P Mucha - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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silver nanoparticles uptake by Salt Marsh Plants implications for phytoremediation processes and effects in microbial community dynamics
Marine Pollution Bulletin, 2017Co-Authors: Joana Fernandes, Carlos A R Gomes, Ana P Mucha, Telmo Francisco, Marisa C R AlmeidaAbstract:Abstract This study investigated the uptake of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by a Salt Marsh plant, Phragmites australis, as well as AgNPs effects on rhizospheric microbial community, evaluating the implications for phytoremediation processes. Experiments were carried out with elutriate solution doped with Ag, either in ionic form or in NP form. Metal uptake was evaluated in plant tissues, elutriate solutions and sediments (by AAS) and microbial community was characterized in terms of bacterial community structure (evaluated by ARISA). Results showed Ag accumulation but only in plant belowground tissues and only in the absence of rhizosediment, the presence of sediment reducing Ag availability. But in plant roots Ag accumulation was higher when Ag was in NP form. Multivariate analysis of ARISA profiles showed significant effect of the absence/presence of Ag either in ionic or NP form on microbial community structure, although without significant differences among bacterial richness and diversity. Overall, P. australis can be useful for phytoremediation of medium contaminated with Ag, including with AgNPs. However, the presence of Ag in either forms affected the microbial community structure, which may cause disturbances in ecosystems function and compromise phytoremediation processes. Such considerations need to be address regarding environmental management strategies applied to the very important estuarine areas. Capsule The form in which the metal was added affected metal uptake by Phragmites australis and rhizosediment microbial community structure, which can affect phytoremediation.
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response of microbial communities colonizing Salt Marsh Plants rhizosphere to copper oxide nanoparticles contamination and its implications for phytoremediation processes
Science of The Total Environment, 2017Co-Authors: Joana Fernandes, Marisa C R Almeida, Federico Andreotti, Leandro Barros, Tânia Almeida, Ana P MuchaAbstract:This study aimed to investigate Cu oxide nanoparticles (CuO NP) effect on microbial communities associated with Salt Marsh Plants (Halimione portulacoides and Pragmites australis) rhizosphere and its implications for phytoremediation processes. Experiments were conducted, under controlled conditions, over one week. Rhizosediment soaked in the respective elutriate (a simplified natural medium) with or without Plants, was doped with CuO NP or with Cu in ionic form. Microbial community in rhizosediments was characterized in terms of abundance (by DAPI) and structure (by ARISA). Metal uptake by Plants was evaluated by measuring Cu in plant tissues (by atomic absorption spectroscopy). Results revealed significant metal uptake but only in plant roots, which was significantly lower (H. portulacoides) or not significant (P. australis) when the metal was in NP form. Microbial community structure was significantly changed by the treatment (absence/presence of Cu, ionic Cu or CuO NP) as showed by multivariate analysis of ARISA profiles and confirmed by analysis of similarities (Global test - one way ANOSIM). Moreover, in P. australis rhizosediments microbial abundance, bacterial richness and diversity indexes were significantly affected (increased or decreased) due to metal presence whereas in H. portulacoides rhizosediment microbial abundance showed a significant decrease, particularly when the metal was in NP form. Accordingly, Cu presence affected the response of the rhizosphere microbial community and in some cases that response was significantly different when Cu was in NP form. The response of the microbial communities to Cu NP might also contribute to the lower metal accumulation by Plants when the metal was in this form. So, Cu NP may cause disturbances in ecosystems functions, ultimately affecting phytoremediation processes. These facts should be considered regarding the use of appropriate Salt Marshes Plants to remediate moderately impacted areas such as estuaries, where NPs can be found.
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interactions between Salt Marsh Plants and cu nanoparticles effects on metal uptake and phytoremediation processes
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 2015Co-Authors: Ana P Mucha, Federico Andreotti, Catia Caetano, Paula Rodrigues, Carlos A R Gomes, Marisa C R AlmeidaAbstract:Abstract The increased use of metallic nanoparticles (NPs) raises the probability of finding NPs in the environment. A lot of information exists already regarding interactions between Plants and metals, but information regarding interactions between metallic NPs and Plants, including Salt Marsh Plants, is still lacking. This work aimed to study interactions between CuO NPs and the Salt Marsh Plants Halimione portulacoides and Phragmites australis. In addition, the potential of these Plants for phytoremediation of Cu NPs was evaluated. Plants were exposed for 8 days to sediment elutriate solution doped either with CuO or with ionic Cu. Afterwards, total metal concentrations were determined in plant tissues. Both Plants accumulated Cu in their roots, but this accumulation was 4 to 10 times lower when the metal was added in NP form. For P. australis, metal translocation occurred when the metal was added either in ionic or in NP form, but for H. portulacoides no metal translocation was observed when NPs were added to the medium. Therefore, interactions between Plants and NPs differ with the plant species. These facts should be taken in consideration when applying these Plants for phytoremediation of contaminated sediments in estuaries, as the environmental management of these very important ecological areas can be affected.
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response of two Salt Marsh Plants to short and long term contamination of sediment with cadmium
Journal of Soils and Sediments, 2015Co-Authors: Marta Nunes Da Silva, Carlos A R Gomes, Ana P Mucha, Cristina A S Rocha, Marisa C R AlmeidaAbstract:Purpose This work evaluated the response of two SaltMarsh Plants, Juncus maritimus and Phragmites australis, to short- and long-term exposure to sediment contaminated with Cd.
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Salt Marsh Plants potential for the remediation of hydrocarbon contaminated environments
2015Co-Authors: Marisa C R Almeida, Nazare Couto, Hugo Ribeiro, Ana P Mucha, Adriano A Bordalo, Clara M P Basto, Teresa M S D VasconcelosAbstract:Petroleum contamination can cause serious damage to ecosystems, and natural biological processes may be convenient alternatives to minimise ecological impacts. However, these are long processes, and approaches to accelerate them are needed. In this chapter two studies carried out to ascertain the phytoremediation potential of Salt Marsh Plants for the remediation of hydrocarbon-contaminated environments in near-natural controlled conditions are reported. In the first study, the suitability of Juncus maritimus and Phragmites australis for rhizodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated estuarine sediment, the medium where the Plants grow, was assessed. The second study involved soil contaminated with petrochemical products and evaluated the capability of Halimione portulacoides, Juncus maritimus and Scirpus maritimus for soil remediation. Results indicate that Salt Marsh Plants, or Salt-tolerant Marsh Plants, can have an important role in the restoration and remediation of not only hydrocarbon-contaminated sediments but also hydrocarbon-contaminated nonsaline soils. However, the specificities of the plant species, the environmental conditions and the time frame should be well thought out when engaging a revegetation of hydrocarbon-polluted sites with these Plants.
