Morpho-physiological and molecular responses of Lepidium sativum L. seeds induced by bismuth exposure

Bismuth (Bi) is considered a "green metal" as its toxicity has been reported to be lower than other metals, particularlylead. Even though the low presence in the environment, an increase of Bi concentrations in soil and wastewater is predictable due to its enhanced uses for many industrial and medical applications. Therefore, given the little literature onthe matter, particularly in plants, information on the effects of Bi on living organisms is needed. In this study, seeds ofgarden cress (Lepidium sativum L.), a model plant for ecotoxicological assays (OECD), were exposed to increasing Biconcentrations (0 to 485 mg L-1 Bi(NO3)3·5H2O in deionised water) in petri plates. After 72 h, the percent germinationindex (GI%) revealed no effects at the lowest Bi concentrations, while a slight toxicity occurred at 242 and 485 mg L-1Bi nitrate. A significant reduction of the root length was observed in Bi-treated seedlings, especially at the highest Biconcentrations. Consistently, the Alkaline Comet Assay revealed a genotoxic effect induced by Bi exposure in gardencress seedlings. A Bi concentration-dependent metal accumulation in plantlets was also observed, with a Biconcentration higher than 1200 mg kg-1 found in plantlets at the highest Bi concentration assayed. The toxicity effectsobserved in the study were discussed, as contribution to the expansion of knowledge on Bi ecotoxicity and genotoxicityin plants