Effects of heavy metal terbium on contents of cytosolic nutrient elements in horseradish cell

The wide application of rare earth elements (REEs) has led to the accumulation of REEs in soil and plant. Thereby, the effect of Tb3+ on the contents of cytosolic nutrient elements in horseradish was investigated with the synchronous detection technique of scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry. It was found for the first time that the foliar spraying treatment of Tb3+ destroyed the structure of horseradish mesophyll cells, and then changed the contents of the cytosolic nutrient elements in horseradish, especially Ca. The effect of Tb3+ was increased with increasing the concentration of Tb3+. The hydroponical treatment of Tb3+ could not obviously change the structure of protoplast and the contents of the cytosolic nutrient elements in horseradish leaves. The results indicated that the accumulation of Tb3+ in soil and plant leaves displayed the different toxic effect on plant leaves. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.