Ultrastructural analysis and biochemical evaluation provide evidence for arsenic reclamation from contaminated soil through Helianthus annuus L.

Pollution of the environment is a global issue that affects many millions of people globally due to toxic metals such as arsenic (As) which is harmful for human health and biota. Phytoremediation is one of the environmentally appropriate strategies for breaking down heavy metals. Helianthus annuus is an excellent hyperaccumulator plant for As removal due to its phytoextraction effectiveness. To evaluate changes in morphological and biochemical markers as well as enzyme activity analysis in the recent study, we performed pot experiments. To find out how much of As is found in various parts of the plant, an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) is used. In contrast to the shoot, where As was detected in the lowest concentration (3.965 mg kg(-1)), the root had the highest concentration (13.834 mg kg(-1)). 20.773 mu mol g(-1) and 5.7704 mg g(-1), respectively, were the optimum proline and polyphenol concentrations with increasing As concentrations. Higher concentrations of the antioxidant enzymatic activity of APX (7.679 mM mg(-1)), CAT (2.1826 mM mg(-1)), and GR (78.753 mM mg(-1)) were observed at 60 days. FESEM-EDX and optical microscopy analyses for the localization of As in plant tissues were used to confirm the transport of arsenic in root and shoot tissues. These results might encourage the widespread adoption of H. annuus for As removal from polluted soil and sustainable agriculture farming.

Automated summary

Pollution of the environment due to toxic metals such as arsenic (As) is a global issue affecting millions of people. Phytoremediation, specifically using Helianthus annuus plants, is an effective strategy for removing As from polluted soil. Pot experiments were conducted to evaluate morphological and biochemical changes, as well as enzyme activity analysis. Results showed that the root had the highest As concentration, while the shoot had the lowest. Optimum proline and polyphenol concentrations were observed with increasing As concentrations. Higher antioxidant enzymatic activity was observed at 60 days. FESEM-EDX and optical microscopy analyses confirmed the transport of arsenic in root and shoot tissues. These findings support the use of H. annuus for As removal and sustainable agriculture farming.