Scholarlink

<p>Makeshift dumpsites are sources of heavy metal contamination and conduits for their transfer to various flora and fauna, posing long-term health risks to humans. Roots and shoots of <i>Amaranthus hybridus</i> L. (Amaranthaceae) growing on municipal wasteland were used as models to examine six heavy metals’ availability and their possible trophic transfers via insect herbivory. The heavy metals in both plant and animal tissues were quantified using an atomic absorption spectrometer, while insect herbivory was quantified as a percentage of leaf tissue lost (on whole plant and individual leaves), and plant height as a fitness metric. Heavy metal levels in the shoots of <i>A. hybridus</i> did not differ significantly (<i>p</i> &gt; 0.05) between the dumpsite and control site, whereas cadmium (4.03&#xa0;mg/kg), manganese (0.53&#xa0;mg/kg), and zinc (4.40&#xa0;mg/kg) were substantially elevated in roots at the dumpsite. Chromium (2.30–2.95&#xa0;mg/kg) exceeded tolerable levels, while nickel (0.53&#xa0;mg/kg) overshot this level only in shoots. Manganese had a net accumulation greater than one for all taxa (Orthoptera, Hemiptera, Coleoptera and Hymenoptera), suggesting herbivory as a culpable route for heavy metal acquisition in insects. Ruderal amaranth exhibited greater vigor than individuals from control sites, with plants averaging 33&#xa0;cm greater height and 140.4 additional leaves, while sustaining 21-fold higher general herbivory and twofold higher foliar herbivory. The elevated levels of heavy metals in the shoots and the heightened feeding pressure from insect herbivores show the potential ecological risks that poorly managed and designed dumpsites could pose locally to the food web and elsewhere.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Ruderal Amaranthus hybridus in heavy metal transfer from dumpsite through insect herbivory: a plausible conduit to higher trophic levels

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月29日

查看全文
  • Ikponmwosa Egbon,
  • Oyindoubra Clinton Jumbo,
  • Omoghene Victory Efekemo,
  • Edosa Rapheal Okunzuwa,
  • Ada Oji

摘要

Makeshift dumpsites are sources of heavy metal contamination and conduits for their transfer to various flora and fauna, posing long-term health risks to humans. Roots and shoots of Amaranthus hybridus L. (Amaranthaceae) growing on municipal wasteland were used as models to examine six heavy metals’ availability and their possible trophic transfers via insect herbivory. The heavy metals in both plant and animal tissues were quantified using an atomic absorption spectrometer, while insect herbivory was quantified as a percentage of leaf tissue lost (on whole plant and individual leaves), and plant height as a fitness metric. Heavy metal levels in the shoots of A. hybridus did not differ significantly (p > 0.05) between the dumpsite and control site, whereas cadmium (4.03 mg/kg), manganese (0.53 mg/kg), and zinc (4.40 mg/kg) were substantially elevated in roots at the dumpsite. Chromium (2.30–2.95 mg/kg) exceeded tolerable levels, while nickel (0.53 mg/kg) overshot this level only in shoots. Manganese had a net accumulation greater than one for all taxa (Orthoptera, Hemiptera, Coleoptera and Hymenoptera), suggesting herbivory as a culpable route for heavy metal acquisition in insects. Ruderal amaranth exhibited greater vigor than individuals from control sites, with plants averaging 33 cm greater height and 140.4 additional leaves, while sustaining 21-fold higher general herbivory and twofold higher foliar herbivory. The elevated levels of heavy metals in the shoots and the heightened feeding pressure from insect herbivores show the potential ecological risks that poorly managed and designed dumpsites could pose locally to the food web and elsewhere.