Leaf epidermal analysis of some plants in the Ishiagu lead–zinc mining area of South Eastern Nigeria
Paper Details
Leaf epidermal analysis of some plants in the Ishiagu lead–zinc mining area of South Eastern Nigeria
Abstract
The study examined the leaf epidermis of some plants growing in a lead-zinc mining area of Ishiagu, Nigeria with the aim of evaluating possible impacts of heavy metal stress on leaf structure. Seven dominant plant species, Adiantum caudatum, Alchornea cordifolia, Centrosema pubescens, Clotalaria retusa, Millettia aboensis, Urena lobata and Vitex doniana were selected for the study. Analysis of photomicrographs showed clear differences between study site and control samples. In comparison with study site samples, control samples generally had well defined stomata with intact guard cells, and showed no signs of wrinkles or necrosis. This indicates that the study site environment, a heavy metal mining area, had adverse impacts on plant physiological status.
Akubugwo EI, Ude VC, Uhuegbu FO, Ugbogu O. 2012. Physicochemical Properties and Heavy Metal Content of Selected Water Sources in Ishiagu, Ebonyi State-Nigeria. Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences 2, 21-27.
Andraino DC. 2001. Trace metals in the terrestrial environment. New York. Springer- Verlag.
Agbaire PO, Esiefarienrhe P. 2009. Air pollution tolerance index of some plants around Otorogun gas plant in Delta State, Nigeria. Journal of Applied Science and Environmental Management 13, 11-14.
Areola O. 1983. Soil and Vegetal Resources. In, Geography of Nigeria Development. J.S. Oguntoyinbo, O, Areola and M, Filani (Eds). Ibadan. Heinemann.
Burkill HM. 1994. The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa, Richmond. Kew Botanic Gardens.
Dietz KJ, Baier M, Kramer U. 2009. Free radicals and reactive oxygen species as mediators of heavy metal toxicity in plants. From molecules to ecosystems. Berlin. Springer- Verlag.
Ernst WH. 1980. Biochemical aspects of cadmium in plants. In, Cadmium in the environment, J.O Nriagu (ed). New York. Wiley and Sons.
Eze HN, Chukwu E. 2011. Small Scale Mining and Heavy Metal Pollution of Agricultural Soils: The Case of Ishiagu Mining District, South Eastern Nigeria Journal of Geology and Mining Research 3, 87-104.
Focho DA, Nkeng EAP, Lucha CF, Ndam WT, Afegenui A. 2009. Ethnobotanical Survey of Plants Used to Treat Diseases of the Reproductive System and Prelimnary Phytochemical Screening of Some Species of Malvaceae in Ndop Central Sub- division, Cameroon. Journal of Medicinal Plant Research 3, 301-314.
Garg N, Singla P. 2011. Arsenic toxicity in crop plants: Physiological effects and tolerance mechanisms. Environmental Chemistry Letters 9, 303-321. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10311-011-0313-7
Kabata-Pendias A, Pendias H. 1984. Trace Elements in Soil and Plants. Boca Raton, Florida. CRC Press.
Kabata-Pendias A, Pendias H. 2000. Trace Elements in Soil and Plants.(3rd edn.). Boca Raton, Florida. CRC Press.
Kassim WA. 2005. The correlation between physiology and structural alterations induced by copper and cadmium stress in broad beans (Vicia faba L.). Egyptian Journal of Biology 7, 20-32.
Lagriffoul A, Mocquot B, Mench M, Vangronsveld J. 1998. Cadmium toxicity effects on growth, mineral and chlorophyll contents and activities of stress related enzymes in young maize plants (Zea mays L.) Plant and Soil 200, 241-250.
Lar UA. 2013. Trace elements and health: an environmental risk in Nigeria. Earth Science 2(3), 66-77. http://dx.doi.org/10.11648/j.earth.20130203.11
Lorenz SE, Hamon RE, Holm PE, Domnigues HC, Sequeria EM, Christensen TH, McGrath SP. 1997. Cadmium and Zinc in Plants and Soil Solutions from Contaminated Sites. Plant and Soil 189, 21-31.
Masarovicova E. 2002. Actual problems of metal effects on plants. Biologicke Listy. 67, 253-268.
Nwaugo VO, Onyeagba RA, Akubugwo EI, Ugbogu OC. 2008. Soil Bacteria Flora and Enzymatic Activities in Heavy Metal Contaminated Soils of Ishiagu, Ebonyi State. Biokemistri 20, 77-84.
Onoagbe IO, Negbenebor EO, OgbeideVO, Dawha IH, Attah V, Lau HU, Omonkhua AA. 2010. A Study of the Anti-Diabetic Effects of Urena lobata and Sphenostylis stenocarpa in Streptozotocin- Induced Diabetic Rats. European Journal of Scientific Research 43, 6-14.
Owolabi OA, James DB, Anigo KM, Iormanger GW, Olaiya II. 2011. Combined Effects of Aqueous Extracts of Phyllanthus amarus and Vitex doniana Stem and Bark on Blood Glucose of Streptozotocin (STZ) Induced Diabetic Rats and Some Liver Biochemical Parameters. British Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology 2, 143-147.
Ozdener Y, Kutbay HG. 2011. Physioloical and biochemical responses of the leaves of Verbascum wiedemannianum Fisch and May. to cadmium. Pakistan Journal of Botany 43, 1521-1525.
Pandey P, Tripathi A. 2011. Effects of heavy metals on morphology and biochemical characteristics of Albizia procera (Roxb.). Benth. seedlings. International Journal of Environmental Sciences 1, 1000-1018.
Sayed S. 1997. Effects of cadmium and kinetin on transpiration rate, stomata opening and relative water content of Safflower plants. Journal of Islamic Academy of Sciences 10, 73-80.
Weryszko-Chhmielewska E, Chwil M. 2005. Lead induced histological and ultrastructural changes in the leaves of Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.). Soil and Plant Nutrition 51, 203-212. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.17470765.2005.tb00024.x
Chidi Enyinnaya Ogbonna, Clement Uwabunkeonye Okeke, Ositadinma Chinyere Ugbogu, Fred Chibuisi Otuu, 2013. Leaf epidermal analysis of some plants in the Ishiagu lead–zinc mining area of South Eastern Nigeria. Int. J. Biosci., 3(11), 122-128.
Copyright © 2013 by the Authors. This article is an open access article and distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0) license.