Studies on spatial distribution of nickel in leaves and stems of the metal hyperaccumulator Stackhousia tryonii Bailey using nuclear microprobe (micro-PIXE) and EDXS techniques
Naveen P. Bhatia A B D , Kerry B. Walsh A , Ivo Orlic B , Rainer Siegele B , Nanjappa Ashwath A and Alan J. M. Baker CA Primary Industries Research Centre, School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, Qld 4702, Australia.
B Environment Division, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), Lucas Heights, NSW 2234, Australia.
C School of Botany, The University of Melbourne, Vic. 3010, Australia.
D Corresponding author. Email: naveen.bhatia@ansto.gov.au
Functional Plant Biology 31(11) 1061-1074 https://doi.org/10.1071/FP03192
Submitted: 22 October 2003 Accepted: 21 June 2004 Published: 18 November 2004
Abstract
Stackhousia tryonii Bailey is one of the three nickel hyperaccumulators reported from Australia. It is a rare, herbaceous plant that accumulates (Ni) both in leaf and stem tissues. Localisation of Ni in leaf and stem tissues of S. tryonii was studied using two micro-analytical techniques, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDXS) and micro-proton-induced X-ray emission spectrometry (micro-PIXE). Dimethylglyoxime complexation of Ni was also visualised by bright- and dark-field microscopy, but this technique was considered to create artefacts in the distribution of Ni. Energy dispersive X-ray spectrometric analysis indicated that guard cells possessed a lower Ni concentration than epidermal cells, and that epidermal cells and vascular tissue contained higher levels of Ni than mesophyll, as reported for other Ni hyperaccumulators. The highest Ni concentration was recorded (PIXE quantitative point analysis) in the epidermal cells and vascular tissue (5400 μg g–1 DW), approximately double that recorded in palisade cells (2500 μg g–1 DW). However, concentrations were variable within these tissues, explaining, in part, the similarity between average Ni concentrations of these tissues (as estimated by region selection mode). Stem tissues showed a similar distribution pattern as leaves, with relatively low Ni concentration in the pith (central) region. The majority of Ni (73–85% for leaves; 80–92% for stem) was extracted from freeze-dried sections by water extraction, suggesting that this metal is present in a highly soluble and mobile form in the leaf and stem tissues of S. tryonii.
Key words: elemental mapping, metal hyperaccumulation, micro-PIXE, nickel, nuclear microprobe analysis.
Acknowledgments
A merit scholarship (UPRA) to NPB by the Central Queensland University and financial assistance (Grant No. 450; 02 / 001P) for the present work by the Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering (AINSE) is gratefully acknowledged. We also acknowledge the technical assistance of Mr Barry Hood (laboratory work) and Mr V. McCafferty (SEM work), and the assistance of Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services (Central Region) for granting a scientific permit to collect S. tryonii material from its natural habitat. We thank two anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments, incorporated into the final text.
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