Nano zero-valent iron (nZVI), that is one of the most dominant engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) in the environmental industry, has been extensively used in the contaminated sites. Also, it is the sole ENPs that can be injected into the subsurface using permeable reactive barrier and dispersed unconfined aquifer with groundwater flow, possibly approaching to terrestrial organisms. In the light of this, a great effort has been made to figure out the fate and effects of nZVI. However, the information which has been provided without understanding of complex physiological system is limited to explain the effect of MNPs. First, it will be necessary to characterize the uptake and translocation of nZVI particles into the plant cell. We detected the iron particles inside the root and leave cells of Arabidopsis thaliana using Transmission electron microscopy-Energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (TEM-EDS). Even now, studies combined synchrotron technologies are under way for comprehension of nZVI distribution and biotransformation. Second, we discuss that nZVI can lead to some interesting physiological changes in plants. Exposure of Arabidopsis thaliana to nZVI triggered root elongation and increased stomatal opening, suggesting both phenomena were involved in the unique properties of nZVI such as strong oxidized capacity. We not only reported the physiological changes observed but also demonstrated the mechanism underlying the effects of nZVI, showing that OH radical-induced cell wall loosening and activated plasma membrane H+-ATPase. In order to provide clear evidences for the root elongation and the increased stomatal opening, advanced hybrid integrated technologies were employed. For instance, a matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometer (MALDI-TOFMS) was used for quantifying the polysaccharides in cell walls, and a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to evaluate the transcriptional levels of the activated plasma membrane H+-ATPase, respectively. For this to be applied, we measured the enlargement of biomass and leaf area of plant exposed to nZVI were compared with that of the unexposed. Also, we demonstrated the enhanced the CO2 assimilation rate in various ways. This studies will provide the appropriate elucidation of physiological, biochemical and mechanism of ENPs and new insights into the interpretation of the interactions between plants and ENPs.

Effects of zero-valent iron nanoparticles on plants: Uptake, translocation, physiological change and its implication

251st National Meeting (2016)

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