Lead accumulation from non-saline and saline environment by Tamarix smyrnensis Bunge

Tamarix smyrnensis plants were exposed to Pb(NO3)2, with and without addition of salt into soil for 10 weeks. Salt as NaCl was added to water for watering in concentrations 0.5% and 3%. Subsequently, lead uptake was quantified in leaves and roots of the plants by ICP-AES spectrometry. In addition, the influence of Pb on photosynthesis and other physiological parameters was also examined by means of biomass production and shoot length determination. Plant appearance was observed also. The influence of Pb presence in the soil on chlorophyll content was examined. In order to quantify the fate of Pb in the plant, metal excretion by salt glands was investigated as well. It was found that the roots were the main accumulation site of Pb in all plants under all treatments irrespective of salt concentration in soil. Low salinity in soil did not affect Pb accumulation in roots but at high salt concentration Pb accumulation decreased. The opposite was observed in the leaves where more Pb was accumulated at high salt concentration in soil. The toxic effect of Pb was visible only in the group treated with Pb without addition of NaCl into water for watering. The visible toxicity symptoms were connected only with high salinity. No excretion of Pb by salt glands was observed.