Stress responses of Erica andevalensis Cabezudo and Rivera plants induced by polluted water from Tinto River (SW Spain)

The effects of Tinto River water on Erica andevalensis growth, biochemical indicators and elemental concentration and distribution were investigated under laboratory conditions. High levels of toxic elements such as B, Fe and S and acidic pH characterized the river water. Plant analysis revealed that the concentration of Al, B, S and Fe increased in all plant organs reaching in some cases values in the toxicity range. Plants transferred into river water stopped growing and stress was manifested by plant water loss, increase in peroxidase activity and decrease of chlorophyll a concentration. Significant decreases of free amino acid concentration were found in shoots and roots of plants grown in diluted river water. The results indicated that Tinto River water acidity and its excess in soluble elements produced altogether severe alterations in roots affecting plant water and nutrient uptake and leading to the massive entry of some metals (e.g. Fe, Al) with toxic effects. Scanning-electron microscopy (cryoSEM and ESEM) observations showed that E. andevalensis had not exclusion mechanisms of Cu, Fe and S therefore it was not able to reduce translocation to aerial parts.