Toxicological responses in halophyte Suaeda salsa to mercury under environmentally relevant salinity

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2012 Nov:85:64-71. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2012.03.016. Epub 2012 Sep 1.

Abstract

Mercury is a highly risky heavy metal contaminant in intertidal zones in the Yellow River Delta (YRD). Suaeda salsa is a native halophyte in the YRD. In this work, we investigated the toxicological effects of mercury (20μgL(-1)) in S. salsa under environmentally relevant salinity (500mM). The metabolic responses included the increased amino acids and decreased succinate, fructose, glucose, fumarate and ferulate in above-ground part of S. salsa exposed to mercury. The expression levels of INPS, CMO, BADH, CAT and GPx were elevated in above-ground part of S. salsa after combined Hg and salinity exposure. Increased activities of antioxidant enzymes including SOD, POD and CAT were uniquely observed in salinity-treated samples. Our results indicated potential oxidative stresses and disturbances in protein bio-degradation and energy metabolism induced by mercury in S. salsa. Additionally, both synergistic and antagonistic effects were observed in S. salsa exposed to combined mercury and salinity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antioxidants / metabolism
  • Chenopodiaceae / drug effects*
  • Chenopodiaceae / genetics
  • Chenopodiaceae / metabolism
  • Energy Metabolism / drug effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Plant / drug effects
  • Mercury / toxicity*
  • Metabolome
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects
  • Rivers / chemistry
  • Salinity*
  • Salt-Tolerant Plants / drug effects*
  • Salt-Tolerant Plants / genetics
  • Salt-Tolerant Plants / metabolism
  • Water Pollutants / toxicity*

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Water Pollutants
  • Mercury