Influence of Arsenic on Lanthanide Bioaccumulation in Nephrolepis exaltata and Related Effects
Grade Level at Time of Presentation
Sophomore
Major
Undeclared
Minor
Undeclared
Institution
Western Kentucky University
KY House District #
60
KY Senate District #
11
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
Yan Cao, PhD.
Department
Dept. of Chemistry
Abstract
Influence of Arsenic on Lanthanide Bioaccumulation in Nephrolepis exaltata and Related Effects
Margaret K. Cook, Yan Cao (Contact Advisor), Biochemistry
Department of Chemistry, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY 42101
Defined by their magnetic, phosphorescent, and catalytic properties, rare earth elements (REEs) are comprised of the fifteen lanthanide metals as well as Yttrium and Scandium. Many fields, like electronics, manufacturing, medical science, technology, renewable energy, and defense technologies have a strong dependence on REEs. Current methods of obtaining them are inefficient, expensive, and pollute the environment. Plants, however, have natural mechanisms of absorbing certain REEs. This study focused on the interactions between Arsenic and five REEs; Europium, Terbium, Neodymium, Gadolinium, and Yttrium, and how it affects uptake, biomass growth, and chlorophyll. The presence of Arsenic in the soil generally aided the uptake of the other metals. A possible explanation for this phenomenon involves the ligand receptor sites which regulate the transport of ions into and out of the plant’s cells. Nephrolepis exaltata, the plant under study, is a known accumulator of Arsenic. Thus, the ligand receptor sites should be able to bind to Arsenic molecules, and when it opens the ion channel, the lanthanide molecules also have a chance to get through the membrane. A general trend was that the roots had higher amounts of metals than the leaves or shoots of the same concentration. This was likely due to the metals not being able to be translocated through the shoots and up to the leaves. Therefore, it explains there not being a significant effect on the health of the plant.
Influence of Arsenic on Lanthanide Bioaccumulation in Nephrolepis exaltata and Related Effects
Influence of Arsenic on Lanthanide Bioaccumulation in Nephrolepis exaltata and Related Effects
Margaret K. Cook, Yan Cao (Contact Advisor), Biochemistry
Department of Chemistry, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY 42101
Defined by their magnetic, phosphorescent, and catalytic properties, rare earth elements (REEs) are comprised of the fifteen lanthanide metals as well as Yttrium and Scandium. Many fields, like electronics, manufacturing, medical science, technology, renewable energy, and defense technologies have a strong dependence on REEs. Current methods of obtaining them are inefficient, expensive, and pollute the environment. Plants, however, have natural mechanisms of absorbing certain REEs. This study focused on the interactions between Arsenic and five REEs; Europium, Terbium, Neodymium, Gadolinium, and Yttrium, and how it affects uptake, biomass growth, and chlorophyll. The presence of Arsenic in the soil generally aided the uptake of the other metals. A possible explanation for this phenomenon involves the ligand receptor sites which regulate the transport of ions into and out of the plant’s cells. Nephrolepis exaltata, the plant under study, is a known accumulator of Arsenic. Thus, the ligand receptor sites should be able to bind to Arsenic molecules, and when it opens the ion channel, the lanthanide molecules also have a chance to get through the membrane. A general trend was that the roots had higher amounts of metals than the leaves or shoots of the same concentration. This was likely due to the metals not being able to be translocated through the shoots and up to the leaves. Therefore, it explains there not being a significant effect on the health of the plant.