Investigation of uptake, accumulation and tolerance of antimony in Tanacetum polycephalum

Antimony is a non-essential element for organisms. It has different toxic effects on organisms, especially on plants. However, some plants are able to counteract the toxic effects of antimony, uptake and accumulate it in their tissues. Tanacetum polycephalum is one of these plants. In this study, we collected plant samples from antimony polluted soils of Moghanlo mining area in Zanjan province, then analyzed samples in laboratory. The results showed that the highest amount of antimony in collected plants were 127.8 mg/KgDW in aerial parts. Also results of our experiment showed that increasing antimony concentration in the nutrient solution, decreased root and shoot dry weight and the decrease was more obvious in roots. Antimony accumulation in roots and shoots increased with increasing antimony concentration in treatments. In antimony concentration of 100 mg/L, antimony content in shoots was 1697.7 mg/KgDW. The amount of accumulated antimony in the roots was more than aerial parts. Also, with increasing antimony concentration in nutrient solution, the content of chlorophyll a and b were decreased. When antimony concentration in nutrient solution was up to 5 mg/L, the ratio of chlorophyll a/b was increased. The amount of carotenoids and catalase and ascorbat peroxidase activities also increased with increasing of antimony concentration in nutrient solution. In conclusion, Tanacetum polycephalum has a relatively high tolerance to antimony. It is able to uptake and accumulate antimony in its aerial parts; therefore this plant can be used to remediation of antimony contaminated soils.