Hyperaccumulation of metals in Thlaspi goesingense and Thlaspi rotundifolium ssp. cepaeifolium

The project aims to substantially increase our understanding on the rhizospheric and physiological processes responsible for the hyperaccumulation of metals in two species of Thlaspi (T. cepaeifolium and T. goesingense) that are growing in Austria in natural condition. In particular the following points will be adressed: a) metal uptake and translocation by hyperaccumulator plants in different pH condition; b) processes in rhizosphere soil of hyperaccumulator plants that influence bioavailability of metals; c) response of hyperaccumulator plants when grown on soils with another kind of metal contamination than at the original location; d) identification of the metal species translocated and localization of the sites of metal accumulation in the plants. The project is divided into three main parts: I. Investigation of processes in the rhizosphere a) exudates release in hydroponics in different pH conditions b) root-soil interactions studies conducted using rhizobox and microlisimiters II. Experiments of metal uptake a) metal uptake in hydroponics in different pH conditions b) transplant experiments c) co-transplant experiments III. Studies to assess metal translocation and compartimentation analysisof the xylem sap (translocation) microprobeanalysis to asses compartimentation of metals in shoots