Effect of graphene oxide on the uptake, translocation and toxicity of metal mixture to Lepidium sativum L. plants: Mitigation of metal phytotoxicity due to nanosorption

Due to its unique structure and exceptional properties, graphene oxide (GO) is increasingly used in various fields of industry and therefore is inevitably released into the environment, where it interacts with different con-taminants. However, the information relating to the ability of GO to affect the toxicity of contaminants is still limited. Therefore, the aim of our study was to synthesize GO, to examine the phytotoxicity of different con-centrations of GO and its co-exposure with the metal mixture using garden cress (Lepidium sativum L.) as a test organism and to evaluate the potential of GO to affect toxicity of metals and their uptake by plants. The metal mixture (MIX) containing Ni (II), Zn (II), Cr (III) and Cu (II) was prepared in accordance with the maximum -permissible-concentrations (MPC) accepted for the inland waters in the EU. Additionally, the capacity of GO to adsorb metals was studied in specific conditions of the phytotoxicity test and assessed using adsorption iso-therms. Our data indicate that in most cases the tested concentrations of MIX, GO and MIX + GO did not affect seed germination, root growth and biomass of roots and seedlings, however, they were found to alter photo-synthesis processes, enhance production of carotenoids and H2O2 as well as to activate lipid peroxidation. Additionally, our study revealed that GO affects the accumulation of tested metals in roots and shoots of the MIX -exposed L. sativum. This is due to the capacity of GO to adsorb metals from the growth medium. Therefore, low concentrations of GO can be used for water decontamination.

Automated summary

This study aims to synthesize graphene oxide (GO) and investigate its phytotoxicity and its co-exposure with a metal mixture using garden cress (Lepidium sativum L.) as a test organism. The study found that the tested concentrations of the metal mixture, GO, and the mixture of both did not affect seed germination, root growth, and biomass of roots and seedlings. However, it did alter photosynthesis processes, enhance carotenoid and H2O2 production, and activate lipid peroxidation. Additionally, the study revealed that GO affects the accumulation of tested metals in the plants due to its adsorption capacity.