Radionuclides

Accumulation and transport in plants

authored by: Dharmendra Kumar Gupta, Soumya Chatterjee, S. Datta, A. V. Voronina, Clemens Walther
Abstract: Application of radioactive elements or radionuclides for anthropogenic use is a widespread phenomenon nowadays. Radionuclides undergo radioactive decays releasing ionizing radiation like gamma ray(s) and/or alpha or beta particles that can displace electrons in the living matter (like in DNA) and disturb its function. Radionuclides are highly hazardous pollutants of considerable impact on the environment, food chain and human health. Cleaning up of the contaminated environment through plants is a promising technology where the rhizosphere may play an important role. Plants belonging to the families of Brassicaceae, Papilionaceae, Caryophyllaceae, Poaceae, and Asteraceae are most important in this respect and offer the largest potential for heavy metal phytoremediation. Plants like Lactuca sativa L., Silybum marianum Gaertn., Centaurea cyanus L., Carthamus tinctorius L., Helianthus annuus and H. tuberosus are also important plants for heavy metal phytoremediation. However, transfer factors (TF) of radionuclide from soil/water to plant ([Radionuclide]plant/[Radionuclide]soil) vary widely in different plants. Rhizosphere, rhizobacteria and varied metal transporters like NRAMP, ZIP families CDF, ATPases (HMAs) family like P1B-ATPases, are involved in the radio-phytoremediation processes. This review will discuss recent advancements and potential application of plants for radionuclide removal from the environment.
Organisation(s): Centre for Radiation Protection and Radioecology
External Organisation(s): Defence Research and Development Organisation India
Ural Federal University (UrFU)
Type: Contribution to book/anthology
Pages: 139-160
No. of pages: 22
Publication date: 01.06.2017
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Pollution, Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health, Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis
Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.1007/398_2016_7 (Access: Closed)