Effects of previous drying of sediment on root functional traits and rhizoperformance of emerged macrophytes

Highlights

• Sediment desiccation alters morphological characteristics of aquatic sediment.

• Alternation in morphological properties of sediment limiting root characteristics.

• Fibrous-rooted macrophytes root properties extra favor nutrients removal.

• Thick-rooted macrophytes exhibit higher life-span in two sediment types.

Abstract

Purpose of the current study was to investigate the effects of constantly wet and dried-rewetted sediments on root functional traits of emerged macrophytes and their nutrients removal abilities. It is based on the hypothesis that root characteristics and nutrients removal abilities of plants will be altered in the course of sediment desiccation. Four emerged macrophytes including two fibrous-root plants (Canna indica and Acorus calamus) and two thick-root plants (Alocasia cucullata and Aglaonema commutatum) were investigated for their root functional traits and rhizoperformance in both wet and dried-rewetted sediments. Results showed that sediment desiccation followed by rewetting substantially altered the root functional traits (root surface area, radial oxygen loss, and root activity) of plants due to adverse changes in morphological characteristics (porosity, bulk density, particle density) of dried-rewetted sediments than by wet sediments. Consequently, limited plants growth and removal of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) were recorded in dried-rewetted sediments and their pore water than in wet sediments. Radial oxygen loss from plant roots correlated positively with root functional traits, plants growth, and removal of N, P and DOC from pore water and sediment in both sediment types. Among the macrophyte species, the fibrous-root plants having advantages root functional traits, greatly influenced the rhizospheric conditions (pH, dissolved oxygen and redox potential), and demonstrated higher N, P and DOC reduction from both sediment types. While, the thick-rooted plants with thick diameter roots (D > 1 mm) and higher rhizome exhibited longer life-span in both sediment types.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

Fibrous-root macrophytes / Thick-root macrophytes / Nutrients removal / Wet sediment / Dried-rewetted sediment

References

[1] Al-Saedi R, Smettem K, Siddique K H M (2018). Nitrogen removal efficiencies and pathways from unsaturated and saturated zones in a laboratory-scale vertical flow constructed wetland. Journal of Environmental Management, 228: 466–474

[2] Ali F, Jilani G, Fahim R, Bai L, Wang C, Tian L, Jiang H (2019). Functional and structural roles of wiry and sturdy rooted emerged macrophytes root functional traits in the abatement of nutrients and metals. Journal of Environmental Management, 249: 109330

[3] Apple J K, Smith E M, Boyd T J (2008). Temperature, salinity, nutrients, and the covariation of bacterial production and chlorophyll-a in estuarine ecosystems. Journal of Coastal Research, 55(10055): 59–75

[4] Armstrong J, Armstrong W, Beckett P M (1992). Phragmites australis: Venturi- and humidity-induced pressure flows enhance rhizome aeration and rhizosphere oxidation. New Phytologist, 120(2): 197–207

[5] Armstrong W (1971). Radial oxygen losses from intact rice roots as affected by distance from the apex, respiration and waterlogging. Plant Physiology, 25(2): 192–197

[6] Armstrong W (1980). Aeration in higher plants. Advances in Botanical Research, 7: 225–234

[7] Bai X, Chen K, Ren K, Huang W, Chen X (2012). Impacts of four emergent macrophytes on sediment nutrient loading. Journal of Freshwater Ecology, 27(4): 481–493

[8] Bao L, Li X, Cheng P (2018). Phosphorus retention along a typical urban landscape river with a series of rubber dams. Journal of Environmental Management, 228: 55–64

[9] Barko J W, Smart R M (1986). Sediment‐related mechanisms of growth limitation in submersed macrophytes. Ecology, 67(5): 1328–1340

[10] Batty L C, Baker A J, Wheeler B D (2002). Aluminium and phosphate uptake by Phragmites australis: The role of Fe, Mn and Al root plaques. Annals of Botany, 89(4): 443–449

[11] Battye W, Aneja V P, Schlesinger W H (2017). Is nitrogen the next carbon? Earth’s Future, 5(9): 894–904

[12] Bustamante M A O, Mier M V, Estrada J A E, Domíguez C D (2011). Nitrogen and potassium variation on contaminant removal for a vertical subsurface flow lab scale constructed wetland. Bioresource Technology, 102(17): 7745–7754

[13] Carmignani J R, Roy A H (2017). Ecological impacts of winter water level drawdowns on lake littoral zones: A review. Aquatic Sciences, 79(4): 803–824

[14] Chen W, Chen Z, He Q, Wang X, Wang C, Chen D, Lai Z (2007). Root growth of wetland plants with different root types. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 27(2): 450–457

[15] Chen X C, Huang L, Chang T H A, Ong B L, Ong S L, Hu J (2019). Plant traits for phytoremediation in the tropics. Engineering (Beijing), 5(5): 841–848

[16] Chen Z H, Chen F, Cheng X Y, Liu X C, Zhou X Y (2004). Researches on macrophyte roots in the constructed wetlands: A review. Plant Biology, 5: 131–142

[17] Cheng X Y, Chen W Y, Gu B H, Liu X C, Chen F, Chen Z H, Zhou X Y, Li Y X, Huang H, Chen Y J (2009a). Morphology, ecology, and contaminant removal efficiency of eight wetland plants with differing root systems. Hydrobiologia, 623(1): 77–85

[18] Cheng X Y, Liang M Q, Chen W Y, Liu X C, Chen Z H (2009b). Growth and contaminant removal effect of several plants in constructed wetlands. Journal of Integrative Plant Biology, 51(3): 325–335

[19] Daneshgar S, Callegari A, Capodaglio A, Vaccari D (2018). The potential phosphorus crisis: resource conservation and possible escape technologies: A review. Resources, 7(37): 1-22

[20] Fitz W J, Wenzel W W (2002). Arsenic transformations in the soil–rhizosphere–plant system: fundamentals and potential application to phytoremediation. Journal of Biotechnology, 99(3): 259–278

[21] Fu X, He X (2015). Nitrogen and phosphorus removal from contaminated water by five aquatic plants. In: international conference on mechatronics, electronic, industrial and control engineering. Singapore: Atlantis Press

[22] Haling R E, Brown L K, Bengough A G, Young I M, Hallett P D, White P J, George T S (2013). Root hairs improve root penetration, root–soil contact, and phosphorus acquisition in soils of different strength. Journal of Experimental Botany, 64(12): 3711–3721

[23] Hasan M R, Rina C (2009). Use of algae and aquatic macrophytes as feed in small-scale aquaculture: A review, Technical Paper, 531 FAO: 112–123

[24] Hermann L, Kraus F, Hermann R (2018). Phosphorus processing: Potentials for higher efficiency. Sustainability, 10(5): 1–19

[25] Hickey C W, Gibbs M M (2009). Lake sediment phosphorus release management: Decision support and risk assessment framework. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, 43(3): 819–856

[26] Huang H, Zhu Y, Chen Z, Yin X, Sun G (2012). Arsenic mobilization and speciation during iron plaque decomposition in a paddy soil. Journal of Soils and Sediments, 12(3): 402–410

[27] Ji X, Xu L, Xie Y, Wang Z, Chen F, Chen W, Luo Z (2015). Effects of hydrophytes on removal of nitrogen and phosphorus in different levels of eutrophic water. Southwest China Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 28: 809–814 (in Chinese)

[28] Jing D, Hu H y (2010). Chemical oxygen demand, nitrogen, and phosphorus removal by vegetation of different species in pilot-scale subsurface wetlands. Environmental Engineering Science, 27(3): 247–253

[29] Kludze H, DeLaune R, Patrick W Jr (1994). A colorimetric method for assaying dissolved oxygen loss from container-grown rice roots. Agronomy Journal, 86(3): 483–487

[30] Kyambadde J, Kansiime F, Gumaelius L, Dalhammar G (2004). A comparative study of Cyperus papyrus and Miscanthidium violaceum-based constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment in a tropical climate. Water Research, 38(2): 475–485

[31] Lai W L, Wang S Q, Peng C L, Chen Z H (2011). Root features related to plant growth and nutrient removal of 35 wetland plants. Water Research, 45(13): 3941–3950

[32] Lai W L, Zhang Y, Chen Z H (2012). Radial oxygen loss, photosynthesis, and nutrient removal of 35 wetland plants. Ecological Engineering, 39: 24–30

[33] Liu D (2017). Estimation of riverine organic carbon flux based on remote sensing and in-situ data. Hangzhou: Zhejiang University

[34] Lu J, Bunn S E, Burford M A (2018a). Effects of water level fluctuations on nitrogen dynamics in littoral macrophytes. Limnology and Oceanography, 63(2): 833–845

[35] Lu J, Bunn S E, Burford M A (2018b). Nutrient release and uptake by littoral macrophytes during water level fluctuations. Science of the Total Environment, 622–623: 29–40

[36] Lu Y, Zhou Y, Nakai S, Hosomi M, Zhang H, Kronzucker H J, Shi W (2014). Stimulation of nitrogen removal in the rhizosphere of aquatic duckweed by root exudate components. Planta, 239(3): 591–603

[37] Mei X, Ye Z, Wong M (2009). The relationship of root porosity and radial oxygen loss on arsenic tolerance and uptake in rice grains and straw. Environmental Pollution, 157(8-9): 2550–2557

[38] Mei X Q, Wong M H, Yang Y, Dong H Y, Qiu R L, Ye Z H (2012). The effects of radial oxygen loss on arsenic tolerance and uptake in rice and on its rhizosphere. Environmental Pollution, 165: 109–117

[39] Mei X-Q, Yang Y, Tam NF-Y, Wang Y-W, Li L (2014). Roles of root porosity, radial oxygen loss, Fe plaque formation on nutrient removal and tolerance of wetland plants to domestic wastewater. Water Resarch, 50:147–159

[40] Montiel-Rozas M M, Madejón E, Madejón P (2016). Effect of heavy metals and organic matter on root exudates (low molecular weight organic acids) of herbaceous species: An assessment in sand and soil conditions under different levels of contamination. Environmental Pollution, 216: 273–281

[41] Nikolakopoulou M, Argerich A, Drummond J D, Gacia E, Martí E, Sorolla A, Sabater F (2018). Emergent macrophyte root architecture controls subsurface solute transport. Water Resources Research, 54(9): 5958–5972

[42] Pezeshki S, DeLaune R (2012). Soil oxidation-reduction in wetlands and its impact on plant functioning. Biology (Basel), 1(2): 196–221

[43] Pi N, Tam N, Wong MH (2011). Formation of iron plaque on mangrove roots receiving wastewater and its role in immobilization of wastewater-borne pollutants. Marine pollution bulletin, 63(5–12): 402–411

[44] Poirier V, Roumet C, Munson A D (2018). The root of the matter: Linking root traits and soil organic matter stabilization processes. Soil Biology & Biochemistry, 120: 246–259

[45] Poorter H, Bühler J, van Dusschoten D, Climent J, Postma J A (2012). Pot size matters: A meta-analysis of the effects of rooting volume on plant growth. Functional Plant Biology, 39(11): 839–850

[46] Rejmánková E (2011). The role of macrophytes in wetland ecosystems. Journal of Ecology and Environment, 34(4): 333–345

[47] Ruban V, López-Sánchez J, Pardo P, Rauret G, Muntau H, Quevauviller P (1999). Selection and evaluation of sequential extraction procedures for the determination of phosphorus forms in lake sediment. Journal of Environmental Monitoring, 1(1): 51–56

[48] Sekadende B C, Machiwa J F, Mwanuzi F F (2014). Processes governing the retention of phosphorus and nitrogen in nyashishi wetland. Open Journal of Ecology, 04(03): 124–134

[49] Siver P A, Coleman A M, Benson G A, Simpson J T (1986). The effects of winter drawdown on macrophytes in candlewood lake, connecticut. Lake and Reservoir Management, 2(1): 69–73

[50] State Environmental Protection Administration of China (2002). Methods for Water Analysis. 4 ed. Beijing: Environment Science Press, 200–285 (in Chinese)

[51] Stottmeister U, Wießner A, Kuschk P, Kappelmeyer U, Kästner M, Bederski O, Müller R A, Moormann H (2003). Effects of plants and microorganisms in constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment. Biotechnology Advances, 22(1–2): 93–117

[52] Sun X, Chen Y (1994). Research on root systems of Ceratoides arboresorens. Grassland of China, 4: 39–44 (in Chinese)

[53] Syu C H, Lee C H, Jiang P Y, Chen M K, Lee D Y (2014). Comparison of As sequestration in iron plaque and uptake by different genotypes of rice plants grown in As-contaminated paddy soils. Plant and Soil, 374(1–2): 411–422

[54] Taylor G J, Crowder A A (1983). Use of the DCB technique for extraction of hydrous iron oxides from roots of wetland plants. American Journal of Botany, 70(8): 1254–1257

[55] Tian C, Wang C, Tian Y, Wu X, Xiao B (2015). Root radial oxygen loss and the effects on rhizosphere microarea of two submerged plants. Polish Journal of Environmental Studies, 24: 1795–1802

[56] Tu L, Jarosch K A, Schneider T, Grosjean M (2019). Phosphorus fractions in sediments and their relevance for historical lake eutrophication in the Ponte Tresa Basin (Lake Lugano, Switzerland) since 1959. Science of the Total Environment, 685: 806–817

[57] USEPA (1983). Methods for Chemical Analysis of Water and Wastes. Madison: ASA and SSSA & Cincinnati: Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory

[58] Visser E J W, Bögemann G M (2003). Measurement of porosity in very small samples of plant tissue. Plant and Soil, 253(1): 81–90

[59] Wang Q, Hu Y, Xie H, Yang Z (2018). Constructed wetlands: A review on the role of radial oxygen loss in the rhizosphere by macrophytes. Water (Basel), 10(6): 1-11

[60] West M, Fenner N, Gough R, Freeman C (2017). Evaluation of algal bloom mitigation and nutrient removal in floating constructed wetlands with different macrophyte species. Ecological Engineering, 108: 581–588

[61] Wu C, Ye Z, Li H, Wu S, Deng D, Zhu Y, Wong M (2012). Do radial oxygen loss and external aeration affect iron plaque formation and arsenic accumulation and speciation in rice? Journal of Experimental Botany, 63(8): 2961–2970

[62] Xu X L, Lu X X, Lei X D, Cao L K (2012). Effects of hydrophytes on removal of nitrogen and phosphorus in eutrophic water. Journal of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 30(1): 8–14

[63] Xu Z, Ban Y, Jiang Y, Zhang X, Liu X (2016). Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in wetland habitats and their application in constructed wetland: A review. Pedosphere, 26(5): 592–617

[64] Yang C, Yang L, Yang Y, Ouyang Z (2004). Rice root growth and nutrient uptake as influenced by organic manure in continuously and alternately flooded paddy soils. Agricultural Water Management, 70(1): 67–81

[65] Yang J, Zheng G, Yang J, Wan X, Song B, Cai W, Guo J (2017). Phytoaccumulation of heavy metals (Pb, Zn, and Cd) by 10 wetland plant species under different hydrological regimes. Ecological Engineering, 107: 56–64

[66] Ye Z, Baker A, Wong M H, Willis A (1997). Copper and nickel uptake, accumulation and tolerance in Typha latifolia with and without iron plaque on the root surface. New Phytologist, 136(3): 481–488

[67] Zhan Y, Yu Y, Lin J, Wu X, Wang Y, Zhao Y (2019). Simultaneous control of nitrogen and phosphorus release from sediments using iron-modified zeolite as capping and amendment materials. Journal of Environmental Management, 249: 109369

[68] Zhang X, Zhang F, Mao D (1999). Effect of iron plaque outside roots on nutrient uptake by rice (Oryza sativa L.): phosphorus uptake. Plant and Soil, 209(2): 187–192

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 51839011, 51861125201 and 51679228), and the Special Foundation on Water Pollution Control and Treatment of China (No. 2017ZX07204005). Financial and technical supports by these agencies are highly acknowledged by the authors.

Electronic Supplementary Material

Supplementary material is available in the online version of this article at https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-021-1427-1 and is accessible for authorized users.

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

2021 Higher Education Press