RESEARCH ARTICLE Accumulation patterns of Cr in Callitriche organs—qualitative and quantitative analysis

Abstract The aims of this study were both the qualitative and quantitative analysis of chromium accumulation in the shoots of Callitriche cophocarpa. This globally distributed, submersed macrophyte exhibi t s outs tanding Cr phytoremediation capacity in an aquatic environment. Cr was applied separately for 7 days at two stable forms as Cr(VI) and Cr(III), known from their diverse physicochemi-cal properties and toxicities. The maps of Cr depositions in young leaves, mature leaves, and stems were obtained by micro X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (μXRF). The detailed analysis of XRF maps was done based on Image-Pro PLUS (Media Cybernetics) software. Cr was accumulated either in trichomes or vascular bundles in respect to the element spe-ciation and the plant organ. The concentration of Cr signifi-cantly increased in the following order: Cr(VI) mature leaves <Cr(VI) young leaves=Cr(VI) stems<Cr(III) young leaves≤ Cr(III) mature leaves≤Cr(III) stems. The observed differ-ences in distribution and accumulation of Cr were correlated with the different reduction potential of Cr(VI) by particular plant organs. The reduction of Cr(VI) is considered the main detoxification mechanism of the highly toxic Cr(VI) form. The unique L-band electron resonance spectrometer (L-band EPR) was applied to follow the reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) in the studied material