Metal Elements Toxicity in

Plants
Introduction
Like all living organisms, plants are often sensitive both to the deficiency and
to the excess availability of some heavy metal ions as essential micronutrient,
while the same at higher concentrations and even more ions such as Cd, Hg, As
are strongly poisonous to the metabolic activities Researches have been
conducted throughout the world to determine the effects of toxic heavy metals
on plants. Contamination of agricultural soil by heavy metals has become a
critical environmental concern due to their potential adverse ecological
effects. Such toxic elements are considered as soil pollutants due to their
widespread occurrence and their acute and chronic toxic effect on plants
grown of such soils
Heavy Metals and Metalloids Uptake
1 Bioavailability

2 Root Uptake

3 Transportation within Plants

Heavy Metal Emission

Industrial Sources Transportation Sources

Wastewater Discharge
Copper Effects on Plants
Copper (Cu) is considered as a micronutrient for plants and plays
important role in CO2 assimilation and ATP synthesis. Cu is also an
essential component of various proteins like plastocyanin of
photosynthetic system and cytochrome oxidase of respiratory electron
transport chain. But enhanced industrial and mining activities have
contributed to the increasing occurrence of Cu in ecosystems. Cu is
also added to soils from different human activities including mining
and smelting of Cu-containing ores. Mining activities generate a large
amount of waste rocks and tailings, which get deposited at the
surface. Excess of Cu in soil plays a cytotoxic role, induces stress and
causes injury to plants. This leads to plant growth retardation and leaf
chlorosis.
Copper Effects on Plants

1 Stunting Growth 2 Disrupted Nutrient Uptake

3 Reduced Photosynthesis
 Manganese Effects on Plants
Contents of Mn in plants are results of both the plants characteristics and the pool of
available Mn in soil, which is highly controlled by soil properties. Although the Mn uptake is
metabolically controlled, its passive absorption, especially at high and/or toxic ranges, is also
observed the most important Mn function in plants is related to the oxidation-reduction
processes. Most crop plants do not suffer from Mn deficiency at concentrations above the
range of 15–25 mg kg–1. An excess of phytoavailable Mn is associated with several soil
properties, particularly with a high acidity (pH <5.5), anaerobic condition, and poor aeration.
The Mn toxicity in plants can occur also on highly alkaline soils, at about pH 8, where
complex Mn anions can be formed. The Mn biochemistry is controlled by interactions with
several elements, in particular with Fe and Co. In general, Fe and Mn are interrelated in their
metabolic functions, and their appropriate levels and ratio (the Fe/Mn ratio should range
from 1.5 to2.5) is a prerequisite of healthy plants.
 Chromium Effects on Plants
Chromium (Cr) compounds are highly toxic to plants and are detrimental to their growth and
development. Although some crops are not affected by low Cr concentrations. Cr is toxic to
most higher plants at 100 l kg-1 dry weight. Since seed germination is the first physiological
process affected by Cr, the ability of a seed to germinate in a medium containing Cr would be
indicative of its level of tolerance to this metal. Seed germination of the weed Echinochloa
colona was reduced to 25% with 200 lM Cr. High levels (500 ppm) of hexavalent Cr in soil
reduced germination up to 48% in the bush bean Phaseolus vulgaris.
 Cobalt Effects on Plants

Cobalt (Co) naturally occurs in the earth’s crust as cobaltite [CoAsS], erythrite [Co3(AsO4)2]
and smaltite [CoAs2]. Plants can accumulate small amount of Co from the soil. The uptake and
distribution of Co in plants is species dependent and controlled by different mechanisms. Very
little information is available regarding the phytotoxic effect of excess Co. Phytotoxicity study
of Co in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) and tomato
(Lycopersicon esculentum L.) has recently shown the adverse effect on shoot growth and
biomass. In addition to biomass, excess of Co restricted the concentration of Fe, chlorophyll,
protein and catalase activity in leaves of cauliflower. Further, high level of Co also affected the
translocation of P, S, Mn, Zn and Cu from roots to tops in cauliflower. In contrast to excess Cu
or Cr, Co significantly decreased water potential and transpiration rate. While diffusive
resistance and relative water content increased in leaves of cauliflower upon exposure to excess
Co
 Iron Effects on Plants
The mechanisms of Fe uptake by plants and transport within plants, as well as its
metabolic functions have received much study because Fe is the key metal in energy
transformation needed for syntheses and other life processes of the cells. At
conditions of Fe deficiency, roots of some plants can develop various mechanisms
responsible for enhanced Fe solubility through the reduction of Fe3+ and/or chelation
in Phyto siderophore forms that are efficient in mobilizing Fe. Phyto siderophores
released by the roots of Poaceae into the rhizosphere especially influence the
availability and uptake of Fe and, probably, other metals The appropriate content of
Fe in plants is essential to both, the plant metabolism and the nutrient supply to
humans and animals. The plant ability to absorb Fe is variable and is affected by
changing conditions of soil and climate and by stages of plant growth and specific
genotype properties. Some plants, like e.g., Alyssum bertoloni, exhibit a special
capability to absorb Fe and can accumulated this metal to about 4 000 mg kg–1 in
roots and 1 300 mg kg–1 in leaves
 Mercury Effects on Plants
The large input of mercury (Hg) into the arable lands has resulted in the
widespread occurrence of mercury contamination in the entire food chain. Hg is
a unique metal due to its existence in different forms e.g., HgS, Hg2, Hg_and
methyl-Hg. However, in agricultural soil, ionic form (Hg2) is predominant.
Plants differ in their ability to take up Hg and can develop a tolerance to its high
concentrations when grown in contaminated sites. Plants seem to absorb Hg
easily from solution, however there is not much evidence that increasing soils
Hg generally causes an increase in the Hg content of plants, partly due to its
great accumulation in roots. Increased Hg content in vegetation from
contaminated sites indicates that it is taken up from soil, however, its
atmospheric source is known to contribute also significantly to Hg levels in
plants. In recent years, the attention has been paid to Hg uptake from the
atmosphere. In some cases, the major part of Hg in above-ground parts of trees
seems to be associated mainly with its atmospheric deposition
Conclusion
Heavy metals still represent a group of dangerous pollutants, to which close
attention is paid. Many heavy metals are essential as important constituents of
pigments and enzymes, mainly zinc, nickel and copper. The influence of plants
and their metabolic activities affects the geological and biological redistribution
of heavy metals through pollution of the air, water and soil. Various physiological
and biochemical processes in plants are affected by metals. The contemporary
investigations into toxicity and tolerance in metal-stressed plants are prompted
by the growing metal pollution in the environment.