Helianthus petiolaris: A NEW SPECIES TOLERANT TO HEAVY METALS

SARAN, A; FERNANDEZ, L; MANZANO, S; MERINI, LJ

Mar del Plata

Congreso; 51 Annual Meeting - Argentine Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; 2015

The environmentally neglected exploitation of mineral resources pollutes soils and sediments with heavy metals,which accumulate in the environment affecting human health and biodiversity. Conventional remediation methodsare expensive and usually spoil soil properties. Hence, phytoremediation rises as a ?green? alternative to stabilize,remove or degrade pollutants through a low cost and environmentally compatible biological process. In this context,Helianthus petiolaris grows in the arid environments and sandy soils of the central region of Argentina. Thesecharacteristics make it able to grow on degraded and poor soils, as those produced by the mining activity. In addition,this species has potential for technology spin off, since its essential oils can be used for pest control in stored grain.The aim of this work was to investigate the competence of H. petiolaris as a phytoremediating species by assessingits tolerance to heavy metals. Tolerance was assessed by sterile seeding each agarized medium containing Cd 10 ppm,Pb 100 ppm, Zn 400 ppm respectively. H. petiolaris was able to germinate at the following rates: 87 % Cd, 84 % Pb,76 % Zn. However, only the seedling germinated in the presence of Cd and Pb reached the ?true leaves? stage. After32 days, tolerant seedlings were successfully transplanted to sterile soil to complete their growth.