Spatially resolved analysis of heavy metals in Cannabis sativa by using LIBS

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Because of growing degree of various kinds of pollution like heavy metals, or in recent time for example nanoparticles it is important to be able to assess to what extent this pollution is affecting the plants. Apart from the growth of the plants themselves, which is affected by the contamination, this knowledge is crucial to ensure safety of cultivated plants we consume. Heavy metals such as cadmium and lead were chosen for these experiments because of their toxicity and carcinogenic properties. And their toxicity was tested on several plants from typical model plants e.g. lemna minor to less usual plants like Cannabis sativa. Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) is a method capable of detection of broad range of elements and in addition gives us information about spatial distribution of studied elements in the sample which in turn enables to study the migration of the pollutant within the plant. It is possible to map whole plants or just chosen parts of plant samples. In this short term toxicity study seedlings of Cannabis sativa were grown in 5 μmol∙dm−3 and 20 μmol∙dm−3 solutions of CdCl2 ∙ 2.5 H2O and PbCl2. Control samples were simultaneously grown in water. Toxicity was assessed based on macroscopic toxicological endpoints. LIBS was used to demonstrate the spatial distribution of chosen heavy metals in plant samples.

heavy metals, plants, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, bioimaging

HORÁKOVÁ, K.; MODLITBOVÁ, P.; PROCHAZKA, D.; POŘÍZKA, P.; KAISER, J.

1. 12. 2021