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Toxics
Special Issues
Effect of Emerging Pollutants on Plants
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Effect of Emerging Pollutants on Plants

A special issue of Toxics (ISSN 2305-6304). This special issue belongs to the section "Ecotoxicology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 October 2022) | Viewed by 19243

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Radka Podlipna

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratory of Plant Biotechnologies, Institute of Experimental Botany, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
Interests: phytoremediation; identification of secondary metabolites in plant tissue cultures and in intact plants by using analytical techniques (HPLC); proteomic study; plant stress responses
Dr. Stanislav Smrček

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
Interests: analytical chemistry; organic chemistry; phytoremediation; pharmaceutics in envi-ronment; pharmacology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, there has been increasing concern over the environmental risks of so-called “Emerging pollutants (EPs)”, which are defined as synthetic or naturally occurring chemicals that are not commonly monitored in the environment but which have the potential to enter the environment and cause adverse ecological and/or human health effects. EPs originate from a variety of product types such as human pharmaceuticals, veterinary medicines, nanomaterials, personal care products, paints, coatings, etc. EPs can be released into the environment via a number of routes (e.g., veterinary medicines that are used to treat animals at pasture, by the application of manure, biosolids or other solid waste materials to soil, by leaching, runoff and drainage processes). In some cases, the release of emerging pollutants into the environment has likely occurred for a long time, but they may not have been recognized until new detection methods were developed. The detection of ECs in environmental media can be challenging. Methods for detecting the small concentrations in which they occur in different environmental matrices (water, soil, plant or animal tissue, etc.) are currently insufficiently developed (e.g., for nanoparticles). Most of these pollutants are taken up by plants, and when they enter the tissue, they can cause serious damage to the plants. This could not only change the landscape’s appearance and climatic conditions, but predominantly decrease the yield of crops—sources of food for millions of people.

We are pleased to invite you to contribute to our Special Issue, which aims to expand knowledge not only of the phytotoxic effects of these pollutants, but also to warn of the possibility of the accumulation of these pollutants or their metabolites in plant bodies and thus their transfer into the food chain.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include, but are not limited to, the following: the uptake of some emerging pollutants (e.g., see https://www.norman-network.com/nds/susdat/), their metabolism or accumulation, and the effect of emerging pollutants on the growth, metabolism, yield, genome, etc., of any plant species.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Radka Podlipna
Dr. Stanislav Smrček
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Toxics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • emerging pollutants
  • uptake
  • metabolism
  • accumulation
  • phytotoxicity
  • plants

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review

4 pages, 215 KiB  
Editorial
Benzimidazoles and Plants: Uptake, Transformation and Effect
by Radka Podlipná
Toxics 2022, 10(3), 135; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10030135 - 11 Mar 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2135
Abstract
In recent years, there has been increasing concern over the environmental risks of the so called “Emerging pollutants (EPs)” that are defined as synthetic or naturally occurring chemicals that are not commonly monitored in the environment but which have the potential to enter [...] Read more.
In recent years, there has been increasing concern over the environmental risks of the so called “Emerging pollutants (EPs)” that are defined as synthetic or naturally occurring chemicals that are not commonly monitored in the environment but which have the potential to enter the environment and cause adverse ecological and (or) human health effects [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Emerging Pollutants on Plants)

Research

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10 pages, 1157 KiB  
Article
Arsenic Soil Contamination and Its Effects on 5-Methylcytosine Levels in Onions and Arsenic Distribution and Speciation
by Marek Popov, Jiří Kudrna, Marie Lhotská, František Hnilička, Barbora Tunklová, Veronika Zemanová, Jan Kubeš, Pavla Vachová, Jana Česká, Lukáš Praus, Karel Štengl and Jiří Krucký
Toxics 2023, 11(3), 237; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11030237 - 28 Feb 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1858
Abstract
Arsenic represents a serious health threat in localities with a high arsenic-polluted environment and can easily get into the human food chain through agronomy production in areas affected by arsenic contamination. Onion plants that were grown in controlled conditions in arsenic-contaminated soil (5, [...] Read more.
Arsenic represents a serious health threat in localities with a high arsenic-polluted environment and can easily get into the human food chain through agronomy production in areas affected by arsenic contamination. Onion plants that were grown in controlled conditions in arsenic-contaminated soil (5, 10, and 20 ppm) were harvested 21 days after contamination. Arsenic levels (from 0.43 ± 0.03 µg g−1 to 1761.11 ± 101.84 µg g−1) in the onion samples were high in the roots and low in the bulbs and leaves, which is probably caused by a reduced ability of the onions to transport arsenic from roots to bulbs and leaves. Arsenic species As(V) and As(III) in As(V)-contaminated soil samples were represented strongly in favor of the As(III) species. This indicates the presence of arsenate reductase. Levels of 5-methylcytosine (5-mC) (from 5.41 ± 0.28% to 21.17 ± 1.33%) in the onion samples were also higher in the roots than in the bulbs and leaves. Microscopic sections of the roots were examined, and the most damage was found in the 10 ppm As variant. Photosynthetic parameters pointed to a significant decrease in photosynthetic apparatus activity and the deterioration of the physiological state of plants as arsenic content increased in the soil. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Emerging Pollutants on Plants)
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14 pages, 1739 KiB  
Article
The Impact of Pesticide Use on Tree Health in Riparian Buffer Zone
by K. Hanková, P. Maršík, T. Zunová and R. Podlipná
Toxics 2023, 11(3), 235; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11030235 - 28 Feb 2023
Viewed by 1569
Abstract
The result of the enormous usage of pesticides in agriculture is the contamination of soil and water bodies surrounding the fields. Therefore, creating buffer zones to prevent water contamination is very useful. Chlorpyrifos (CPS) is the active substance of a number of insecticides [...] Read more.
The result of the enormous usage of pesticides in agriculture is the contamination of soil and water bodies surrounding the fields. Therefore, creating buffer zones to prevent water contamination is very useful. Chlorpyrifos (CPS) is the active substance of a number of insecticides widely used all over the world. In our study, we focused on the effect of CPS on plants forming riparian buffer zones: poplar (Populus nigra L., TPE18), hybrid aspen (P.tremula L. × P. tremuloides Michx.), and alder (Alnus glutinosa L.). Foliage spray and root irrigation experiments were conducted under laboratory conditions on in vitro cultivated plants. Spray applications of pure CPS were compared with its commercially available form—Oleoekol®. Although CPS is considered a nonsystemic insecticide, our results indicate that CPS is transferred not only upwards from roots to shoots but also downwards from leaves to roots. The amount of CPS in the roots was higher (4.9 times and 5.7 times, respectively) in aspen or poplar sprayed with Oleoekol than in those sprayed with pure CPS. Although the treated plants were not affected in growth parameters, they showed increased activity of antioxidant enzymes (approximately two times in the case of superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase) and augmented levels of phenolic substances (control plants −114.67 mg GAE/g dry tissue, plants treated with CPS—194.27 mg GAE/g dry tissue). In summary, chlorpyrifos, especially as a foliar spray pesticide, can create persistent residues and affects not only target plants but also plants surrounding the field. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Emerging Pollutants on Plants)
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13 pages, 971 KiB  
Article
Ecotoxicity Study of Additives Composed of Zinc and Boron
by Šárka Petrová and Petr Soudek
Toxics 2022, 10(12), 795; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10120795 - 17 Dec 2022
Viewed by 1621
Abstract
The high use of additives containing zinc borate and their limited solubility in water both lead to its persistence and accumulation in biological systems. On the other hand, soluble forms of boron are easily available to plant roots and are taken up by [...] Read more.
The high use of additives containing zinc borate and their limited solubility in water both lead to its persistence and accumulation in biological systems. On the other hand, soluble forms of boron are easily available to plant roots and are taken up by plants. There are no ecotoxicological data available for zinc borate, the industrial utilization of which is widespread. Therefore, the potential toxicity of zinc borate and its dissociated compounds was evaluated. Based on two different ecotoxicology tests, their effect on plant growth was studied. Firstly, the impact on Lemna minor growth was investigated, including the effect on pigment content. Secondly, the inhibition of the root growth of higher plant species Sinapis alba (mustard), Lactuca sativa (lettuce) and Trifolium pretense (clover) was measured. The growth inhibition test on L. minor was more complex and sensitive compared to the plant seed germination test. Already low concentrations (10 mg/L) of ZnO, B2O3 and Zn3BO6 led to a decrease in frond growth and to an inhibition of the conversion of chlorophyll a to chlorophyll b. These results suggested that the stress caused by these additives caused damage to the photosynthetic apparatus. The highest inhibition of frond growth was detected in fronds treated with B2O3 (92–100%). In ZnO and Zn3BO6, the inhibition of frond growth was between 38 and 77%, with Zn3BO6 being slightly more toxic. In the seed germination test, the most sensitive species was lettuce, the growth of which was inhibited by 57, 83 and 53% in ZnO, B2O3 and Zn3BO6 treatments, respectively. However, the inhibitory effect on each plant was different. In lettuce and clover, the seed germination and root elongation decreased with increasing element concentrations. In contrast, in mustard, low concentrations of ZnO and Zn3BO6 supported the growth of roots. For that reason, more complex tests are essential to evaluate the additive toxicity in the environment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Emerging Pollutants on Plants)
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20 pages, 2338 KiB  
Article
Accumulation, Source Identification, and Cancer Risk Assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Different Jordanian Vegetables
by Farh Al-Nasir, Tahani J. Hijazin, Mutaz M. Al-Alawi, Anwar Jiries, Osama Y. Al-Madanat, Amal Mayyas, Saddam A. Al-Dalain, Rasha Al-Dmour, Abdalrahim Alahmad and Mufeed I. Batarseh
Toxics 2022, 10(11), 643; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10110643 - 27 Oct 2022
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2788
Abstract
The accumulation of polyaromatic hydrocarbons in plants is considered one of the most serious threats faced by mankind because of their persistence in the environment and their carcinogenic and teratogenic effect on human health. The concentrations of sixteen priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (16 [...] Read more.
The accumulation of polyaromatic hydrocarbons in plants is considered one of the most serious threats faced by mankind because of their persistence in the environment and their carcinogenic and teratogenic effect on human health. The concentrations of sixteen priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (16 PAHs) were determined in four types of edible vegetables (tomatoes, zucchini, eggplants, and cucumbers), irrigation water, and agriculture soil, where samples were collected from the Jordan Valley, Jordan. The mean total concentration of 16 PAHs (∑16PAHs) ranged from 10.649 to 21.774 µg kg−1 in vegetables, 28.72 µg kg−1 in soil, and 0.218 µg L−1 in the water samples. The tomato samples posed the highest ∑16PAH concentration level in the vegetables, whereas the zucchini samples had the lowest. Generally, the PAHs with a high molecular weight and four or more benzene rings prevailed among the studied samples. The diagnostic ratios and the principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that the PAH contamination sources in soil and vegetables mainly originated from a pyrogenic origin, traffic emission sources, and biomass combustion. The bioconcentration factors (BCF) for ∑16PAHs have been observed in the order of tomatoes > cucumbers and eggplants > zucchini. A potential cancer risk related to lifetime consumption was revealed based on calculating the incremental lifetime cancer risk of PAHs (ILCR). Therefore, sustainable agricultural practices and avoiding biomass combusting would greatly help in minimizing the potential health risk from dietary exposure to PAHs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Emerging Pollutants on Plants)
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18 pages, 4253 KiB  
Article
Bacillus subtilis Synthesized Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NPs) Induced Metabolic and Anti-Oxidative Response in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) under Arsenic Stress
by Sehresh Khan, Nazneen Akhtar, Shafiq Ur Rehman, Shaukat Shujah, Eui Shik Rha and Muhammad Jamil
Toxics 2022, 10(10), 618; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10100618 - 18 Oct 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2017
Abstract
Nanoparticle (NP) application is most effective in decreasing metalloid toxicity. The current study aimed to evaluate the effect of Bacillus subtiles synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NPs) against arsenic (As) stress on rice (Oryza sativa L.) seedlings. Different concentrations [...] Read more.
Nanoparticle (NP) application is most effective in decreasing metalloid toxicity. The current study aimed to evaluate the effect of Bacillus subtiles synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NPs) against arsenic (As) stress on rice (Oryza sativa L.) seedlings. Different concentrations of As (5, 10 and 15 ppm) and Bacillus subtilis synthesized Fe3O4 NPs solution (5, 10 and 15 ppm) alone and in combination were applied to rice seedlings. The results showed that As at 15 ppm significantly decreased the growth of rice, which was increased by the low level of As. Results indicated that B. subtilis synthesized Fe3O4 NP-treated plants showed maximum chlorophyll land protein content as compared with arsenic treatment alone. The antioxidant enzymes such as SOD, POD, CAT, MDA and APX and stress modulators (Glycine betain and proline) also showed decreased content in plants as compared with As stress. Subsequently, Bacillus subtilis synthesized Fe3O4 NPs reduced the stress associated parameters due to limited passage of arsenic inside the plant. Furthermore, reduction in H2O2 and MDA content confirmed that the addition of Bacillus subtilis synthesized Fe3O4 NPs under As stress protected rice seedlings against arsenic toxicity, hence enhanced growth was notice and it had beneficial effects on the plant. Results highlighted that Fe3O4 NPs protect rice seedlings against arsenic stress by reducing As accumulation, act as a nano adsorbent and restricting arsenic uptake in rice plants. Hence, our study confirms the significance of Bacillus subtilis synthesized Fe3O4 NPs in alleviating As toxicity in rice plants. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Emerging Pollutants on Plants)
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24 pages, 2661 KiB  
Article
Impact of Industrially Affected Soil on Humans: A Soil-Human and Soil-Plant-Human Exposure Assessment
by Yeasmin N. Jolly, Md. Refat Jahan Rakib, M. Sadman Sakib, M. Ashemus Shahadat, Arafat Rahman, Shirin Akter, Jamiul Kabir, M. Safiur Rahman, Bilkis A. Begum, Rubina Rahman, Abdelmoneim Sulieman, Nissren Tamam, Mayeen Uddin Khandaker and Abubakr M. Idris
Toxics 2022, 10(7), 347; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10070347 - 22 Jun 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2318
Abstract
Heavy metal (HM) contaminated soil can affect human health via ingestion of foodstuffs, inhalation of soil dust, and skin contact of soil. This study estimates the level of some heavy metals in soils of industrial areas, and their exposures to human body via [...] Read more.
Heavy metal (HM) contaminated soil can affect human health via ingestion of foodstuffs, inhalation of soil dust, and skin contact of soil. This study estimates the level of some heavy metals in soils of industrial areas, and their exposures to human body via dietary intake of vegetables and other pathways. Mean concentrations of Cr, Fe, Cu, Zn, As and Pb in the studied soil were found to be 61.27, 27,274, 42.36, 9.77, 28.08 and 13.69 mg/kg, respectively, while in vegetables the respective values were 0.53, 119.59, 9.76, 7.14, 1.34 and 2.69 mg/kg. Multivariate statistical analysis revealed that Fe, Cu, Zn, and Pb originated from lithogenic sources, while Cr and As are derived from anthropogenic sources. A moderate enrichment was noted by Cr, As, and Pb in the entire sampling site, indicating a progressive depletion of soil quality. The bioaccumulation factor (BCF) value for all the vegetables was recorded as BCF < 1; however, the metal pollution index (MPI) stipulates moderately high value of heavy metal accumulation in the vegetable samples. Hazard Index (HI) of >0.1 was estimated for adults but >1 for children by direct soil exposure, whereas HI < 1 for both children and adults via dietary intake of vegetables. Estimated Total carcinogenic risk (TCR) value due to soil exposure showed safe for adults but unsafe for children, while both the population groups were found to be safe via food consumption. Children are found more vulnerable receptors than adults, and health risks (carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic) via direct soil exposure proved unsafe. Overall, this study can be used as a reference for similar types of studies to evaluate heavy metal contaminated soil impact on the population of Bangladesh and other countries as well. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Emerging Pollutants on Plants)
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Review

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14 pages, 1106 KiB  
Review
Phytoremediation: A Novel Approach of Bast Fiber Plants (Hemp, Kenaf, Jute and Flax) for Heavy Metals Decontamination in Soil—Review
by Fera Nony Cleophas, Nur Zaida Zahari, Pavitra Murugayah, Sahibin Abd Rahim and Ahmad Norazhar Mohd Yatim
Toxics 2023, 11(1), 5; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11010005 - 20 Dec 2022
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3883
Abstract
Heavy metal pollution in the environment is a major concern for humans as it is non-biodegradable and can have a lot of effects on the environment, humans as well as plants. At present, a solution to this problem is suggested in terms of [...] Read more.
Heavy metal pollution in the environment is a major concern for humans as it is non-biodegradable and can have a lot of effects on the environment, humans as well as plants. At present, a solution to this problem is suggested in terms of a new, innovative and eco-friendly technology known as phytoremediation. Bast fiber plants are typically non-edible crops that have a short life cycle. It is one of the significant crops that has attracted interest for many industrial uses because of its constant fiber supply and ease of maintenance. Due to its low maintenance requirements with minimum economic investment, bast fiber plants have been widely used in phytoremediation. Nevertheless, these plants have the ability to extract metals from the soil through their deep roots, combined with their commercial prospects, making them an ideal candidate as a profit-yielding crop for phytoremediation purposes. Therefore, a comprehensive review is needed for a better understanding of the morphology and phytoremediation mechanism of four commonly bast fiber plants, such as hemp (Cannabis sativa), kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus), jute (Corchorus olitorius) and Flax (Linum usitatissimum). This review article summarizes the existing research on the phytoremediation potential of these plants grown in different toxic pollutants such as Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd) and Zinc (Zn). This work also discusses several aids including natural and chemical amendments to improve phytoremediation. The role of these amendments in the bioavailability of contaminants, their uptake, translocation and bioaccumulation, as well as their effect on plant growth and development, has been highlighted in this paper. This paper helps in identifying, comparing and addressing the recent achievements of bast fiber plants for the phytoremediation of heavy metals in contaminated soil. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Emerging Pollutants on Plants)
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