Pb and Cd accumulation and phyto-excretion by salt cedar (tamarix myrnensis bunge)Pb and Cd accumulation and phyto-excretion by salt cedar (tamarix myrnensis bunge) Peer-Reviewed Journal Publication Δημοσίευση σε Περιοδικό με Κριτές 2015-10-162008enThe accumulation and excretion of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) by salt cedar (Tamarix smyrnensis Bunge) were investigated in this study. Tamarix smyrnensis plants were exposed to the mixtures of Pb and Cd and high salinity for 10 wk. Subsequently, Pb and Cd uptake was quantified in the shoots and roots of the plants by ICP-AES. In addition, physiological parameters such as biomass production, shoot length, plant appearance, and chlorophyll content were examined. The roots accumulated the highest amount of Pb. Salinity was found to not have an important effect on Pb translocation to the leaves. Cd was translocated into the aerial part in a higher portion than Pb. Cd content in leaves of T. smyrnensis increased with the increasing salinity. The visible toxicity symptoms, if present, were connected only to the high salinity. The excretion of Pb and Cd by salt glands was observed and quantified. T. smyrnensis excreted a significant amount of metals on the leaf surface. This characteristic of salt cedar plants can be viewed as a novel phytoremediation process for the remediation of sites contaminated with heavy metals that we have termed “phyto-excretion.Δημοσίευση σε επιστημονικό περιοδικό http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/International Journal of Phytoremediation11031-46 Kaduková, Jana Manousaki Eleni Μανουσακη Ελενη Kalogerakis Nikos Καλογερακης Νικος Tamarix smyrnensis lead (Pb) cadmium (Cd) phytoremediation salt glands metal excretion