Spatial distribution of cadmium in leaves of metal hyperaccumulating Thlaspi praecox using micro‐PIXE

• DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2008.02519.x
• Publication Date: 2008-06-12T11:28:31Z
• Authors: Katarina Vogel‐Mikuš; Marjana Regvar; Jolanta Mesjasz‐P...; Wojciech J. Przyb...; Jure Simčič; Primož Pelicon; Miloš Budnar
• Keywords: Plant Leaves; 0301 basic medicine; 03 medical and health sciences; Lead; Slovenia; Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission; Environmental Pollutants; Mining; Cadmium; Thlaspi

* Localization of cadmium (Cd) and other elements was studied in the leaves of the field-collected cadmium/zinc (Cd/Zn) hyperaccumulator Thlaspi praecox from an area polluted with heavy metals near a lead mine and smelter in Slovenia, using micro-PIXE (proton-induced X-ray emission). * The samples were prepared using cryofixation. Quantitative elemental maps and average concentrations in whole-leaf cross-sections and selected tissues were obtained. * Cd was preferentially localized in the lower epidermis (820 microg g(-1) DW), vascular bundles and upper epidermis, whereas about twice the lower concentrations were found in the mesophyll. * Taking into account the large volume of the mesophyll compared with the epidermis, the mesophyll is indicated as a relatively large pool of Cd, possibly involved in Cd detoxification/dilution at the tissue and cellular level.