Toxicity comparison of some possible toxic metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, Se, Zn) on young seedlings of Sinapis alba L

The chronic ecotoxicological effects of Cd, Cu, Pb, Se and Zn were determined within this study. Mustard seedlings (Sinapis alba L.) were used as a model subject for the tests. The phytotoxicity was determined through the root growth inhibition and photosynthetic pigments production (chlorophyll a, b, total carotenoids). The metal accumulation in the roots and cotyledons was also determined using the AAS methods. On the basis of IC50 values and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the root elongation of S. alba seedlings, metals can be arranged in the rank order of inhibition as follows: Cu > Se > Cd > Zn >> Pb. When the photosynthetic pigments production was determined, Se demonstrated the lowest inhibitory effect on all pigment types and Pb did the highest. The accumulated amount of metals from hydroponic solution into the roots and cotyledons decreased in the order Cd > Zn > Se > Pb > Cu.