The Physiological Response of Salix matsudana for Water Pollution by 2,4-Dinitrophenol

In this study, the effects of different concentrations of 2,4-dinitrophenol (2,4-DNP) stress on physiological parameters, as well as the uptake and removal of 2,4-DNP in <i>Salix matsudana</i>, were investigated using hydroponic simulation experiments to explore the potential of the use of <i>Salix matsudana</i> in the phytoremediation of wastewater polluted by 2,4-DNP. The results showed that <i>P</i>_N (net photosynthetic rate), <i>T</i>_r (transpiration rate), <i>G</i>_s (stomatal conductance), <i>L</i>_s (stomatal limitation value), <i>F</i>_v/<i>F</i>_m (maximal quantum yield of PSII photochemistry), and <i>q</i>_p (photochemical quenching coefficient) of <i>Salix matsudana</i> seedlings showed an overall decreasing trend, while <i>C</i>_i (intercellular CO₂ concentration) showed an increasing trend with the increase in 2,4-DNP concentration. The net photosynthetic rate and intercellular carbon dioxide concentration showed an opposite trend in the leaves with the increase in 2,4-DNP stress concentration, and the inhibition of net photosynthesis by 2,4-DNP on <i>Salix matsudana</i> seedlings was mainly based on non-stomatal factors. In the 15 d incubation experiment, the values of SOD (superoxide dismutase), POD (peroxidase), and CAT (catalase) indexes were higher at low concentrations of 2,4-DNP stress, and all three enzymes reached their maximum values at 10 mg L^-1 of 2,4-DNP and then decreased. <i>Salix matsudana</i> seedlings could tolerate 2,4-DNP stress well, which did not exceed 20 mg L^-1. The toxicity of 2,4-DNP solution was significantly reduced after purification by <i>Salix matsudana</i> seedlings. The removal rate of 2,4-DNP was higher than 80% in each treatment group by <i>Salix matsudana</i> purified after 15 days. When the concentration of 2,4-DNP reached 20 mg L^-1, the contents of MDA (malonicdialdehyde) were 55.62 mmol g^-1, and the values of REC (relative conductivity) and LD (leaf damage) were 63.51% and 59.93%, respectively. The structure and function of the cell membrane in leaves were seriously damaged. With the increase in 2,4-DNP concentration, the removal of 2,4-DNP by <i>Salix matsudana</i> seedlings showed a decreasing trend. When the 2,4-DNP concentration was 5 mg L^-1, the highest removal rate of 2,4-DNP by <i>Salix matsudana</i> seedlings was 95.98%, while when the 2,4-DNP concentration was 20 mg L^-1, the highest removal rate was 86.76%. It is noted that the suitable, recommended concentration for the phytoremediation of 2,4-DNP contamination by <i>Salix matsudana</i> seedlings is between 8.81 and 13.78 mg L^-1.