Physiological and biochemical responses in the leaves of two mangrove plant seedlings (Kandelia candel and Bruguiera gymnorrhiza) exposed to multiple heavy metals.

The accumulation of heavy metals and their effect on photosynthetic pigments, proline, glutathione (GSH) and phytochelatins (PCs-SH) were studied in the leaves of two mangrove plants seedlings (Kandelia candel and Bruguiera gymnorrhiza) grown for 30 days in the nutrient solution containing four different concentrations of Cd(2+), Pb(2+) and Hg(2+) (T(1), T(2), T(3) and T(4)). An increase in Cd, Pb and Hg content was found in the leaves of both species exposed to multiple heavy metal stress, whereas higher heavy metal levels (>T(1)) led to a remarkable breakdown of chlorophyll in the leaves of both species. The content of proline, GSH and PCs-SH in the leaves of both species exhibited a significant increase in response to heavy metal stress, at least under most of experimental conditions. Increased contents of proline, GSH and PCs-SH in metal-treated plants suggest that metal tolerance in both K. candel and B. gymnorrhiza might be associated to the efficiency of these antioxidants. Moreover, proline, GSH and PCs-SH in K. candel may play more important role in ameliorating the effect of heavy metal toxicity than those in B. gymnorrhiza.