Copper, lead and zinc interactions during phytoextraction using Acer platanoides L.—a pot trial

Of the many environmental factors that modulate the phytoextraction of elements, little has been learnt about the role of metal interactions. The study aimed to show how different concentrations of Cu, Pb and Zn in the cultivation medium influenced the biomass, plant development and phytoextraction abilities of Acer platanoides L. seedlings. Additionally, the impact on the content and distribution of Ca, K, Mg and Na in plant parts was studied with an analysis of phenols. Plants treated with a mixture of two metals were characterised by lower biomass of leaves and higher major elements content jointly than those grown in the salt of one element. Leaves of A. platanoides cultivated in Pb(5) + Zn(1), Pb(1) + Zn(1) and Pb(1) + Zn(5) experimental systems were characterised by specific browning of their edges. The obtained results suggest higher toxicity to leaves of Pb and Zn present simultaneously in Knop solution than Cu and Pb or Cu and Zn, irrespective of the mutual ratio of the concentrations of these elements. Antagonism of Cu and Zn concerning Pb was clearly shown in whole plant biomass when one of these elements was in higher concentration (5 mmol L(−1)) in solution. In the lowest concentrations (1 mmol L(−1)), there was a synergism between Cu and Zn in plant roots. Plants exposed to Zn(5), Cu(1) + Pb(5), Pb(5) + Zn(1) and Cu(1) + Zn(1) were characterised by higher total phenolic content than the rest plants. Both the presence and the concentration of other elements in the soil are significant factors that modulate element uptake, total phenolic content, and plant development. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: [Image: see text]