Single and combined toxicity of copper and cadmium to H. vulgare growth and heavy metal bioaccumulation

Abstract

The single and combined effects of copper (Cu) and cadmium (Cd) (0.1-10 mg L−1) in spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) plants grown in hydroponics are investigated. The aim of the study was to investigate the interactive effect of the binary mixture of Cu and Cd to the growth of H. vulgare and accumulation of these metals by the plants. Single and combined metal treatment led to major effects in the growth of roots and shoots and dry weight of barley. Exposure to metals altered the content of photosynthetic pigments and caused lipid peroxidation. It was observed that combined effects of heavy metals to plants are endpoint and concentration depending. The binary mixture Cu+Cd exhibited additive or less than additive interaction for dry weight, root length and shoot height. Analysis of tissue metal concentrations showed that Cu and Cd were mainly accumulated in the roots and the combination of Cu+Cd had less than additive response of metal bioaccumulation in the leaves and roots.

Keywords

• bioaccumulation
• growth
• heavy metal
• Hordeum vulgare
• mixture toxicity