Ionoma radical de Sedum praealtum by Sem-EDX microanalysis in presence of arsenic and cadmium and chelating agents' addition

Ionomics considers the qualitative and quantitative evaluation of elemental composition and its changes in the organism physiology. The scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy evaluation (Sem-EDX) technique is and adequate analysis for it because informs about elements localization and chemical composition in biological samples. The present work analyzed the Sedum praealtum radical ionome by the effect of arsenic and cadmium presence and chelating agent addition. Qualitative elemental distribution of P, K, Ca, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mg, Ni, Zn, Mo, As and Cd was evaluated by Sem-EDX microanalysis in root fragments organized in four regions that involved the root tip to the early differentiation zone. The most important pattern obtained was the synergy between As, Cd and ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid chelating agent (EDTA). The highest elemental percentage was obtained under the synergy between As, Cd and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid chelating agent (EDTA), as an elemental immobilization pattern in the radical surface of this plant species, giving evidence of the sites to absorption and transport of nutrients in the root zones. (author)