Pampanga State Agricultural University
Magalang, Pampanga
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
Name: Canlas, Fanny Mae S.
Course, Year & Section: BS Biology 3C
LEADing the Way to Toxicity
Plant productivity is severely hampered by heavy metals toxicity brought on by human,
agricultural, and industrial activities, which also poses a risk to humans and animal health. As
mentioned by Nas and Ali (2018), the 'metallic chemical elements' with a specific weight more
than
are referred to as heavy metals. Depending on their solubility under physiological
conditions, 17 heavy metals may be accessible to living cells and have importance for the plant.
Both essential and non-essential heavy metals damage plants in a similar way that result in plants
death (Collin et al., 2022). According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, lead is one of
the most prevalent heavy metal contaminants in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Since it is
released directly into the atmosphere, it can have a negative impact on plant development and
metabolism (Lamhamdi et al., 2013). Although it serves no biological function and toxic even at
low concentrations, it can cause biochemical, morphological, and physiological issues in plants.
Thus, lead transmission from contaminated soils to plants has been extensively examined,
particularly in relation to food quality, phytoremediation, or biotesting (Pourrut et al., 2011).
Plant morphology, growth, and photosynthetic processes are negatively impacted by lead
(Pb). In line with this, lead toxicity manifests visually as chlorosis, rapid suppression of root
growth, stunted plant growth, and blackening of the root system. In accordance with the study
conducted by Sharma and Dubey (2005), lead hinders photosynthesis and interferes with the
actions of enzymes, water balance, and mineral nutrition. These disorders interfere with the
plant's natural physiological processes. Furthermore, this metal impedes cell division,
chlorophyll production, chloroplast lamellar organization, root elongation, seed germination,
seedling development, transpiration, and plant growth. Similar results were obtained by some
other studies at the calculated lead concentration: root, shoot and leaf growth, fresh and dry
biomass were critically reduced in Pisum Sativum (Kevresan et al., 2001), Zeamays (Çimrin et
al., 2007), Paspalum distichum and Cynodondactylon (Shua et al., 2002), Lycopersicon
esculentum (Jaja et al., 2004), Ipomoea aquatic (Gothberg et al., 2004), Phaseolus vulgaris and
Lens culinaris (Haider et al., 2006). On that account, high lead concentrations may eventually
result in cell death.
In conclusion, heavy metal toxicity has grown widespread due to increased geologic and
anthropogenic activities. Numerous studies have shown that plants grown in these soils exhibit a
decrease in growth, performance, and yield. The presence of lead in the ecosystem has been
significantly impacted by the metabolic processes of the plants. It builds up in many plant
regions and impairs a number of physiological functions. Therefore, it is the government's
responsibility and various environmental agencies to control heavy metals pollution particularly
lead. Consequently, there is a growing demand for an innovative, scientific, and ecologically safe
approach to eradicate these harmful heavy metals.
Developmental Biology
Pampanga State Agricultural University
Magalang, Pampanga
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
References
Collin, S., Baskar, A., Geevarghese, D.M., Ali, M., Bahubali, P., Choudhary, R., Lvov, V.,
Tovar, G.I., Senatov, F., Koppala, S., & Swamiappan, S. (2022). Bioaccumulation of lead
(Pb) and its effects in plants: A review. Journal of Hazardous Materials Letters, 3, 1-8.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hazl.2022.100064
Lamhamdi, M., El Galiou, O., Bakrim, A., Nóvoa-Muñoz, J.C., Arias-Estévez, M., Aarab, A., &
Lafont, R. (2013). Effect of lead stress on mineral content and growth of wheat (Triticum
aestivum) and spinach (Spinacia oleracea) seedlings. Saudi Journal of Biological
Sciences, 20(1), 29-36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sjbs.2012.09.001
Nas, F., & Ali, M. (2018). The effect of lead on plants in terms of growing and biochemical
parameters: A review. MOJ Eco Environ Sci., 3(4), 265-268.
https://doi.org/10.15406/mojes.2018.03.00098
Pourrut, B., Shahid, M., Dumat, C., Winterton, P., & Pinelli, E. (2011). Lead uptake, toxicity,
and detoxification in plants. In: Whitacre, D. (eds). Reviews of Environmental
Contamination and Toxicology, 213, 113-136. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-98606_4
Sharma, P., & Dubey, R.S. (2005). Lead toxicity in plants. Brazilian Journal of Plant
Physiology, 17(1), 35-52. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1677-04202005000100004
Developmental Biology