The community of researchers is debating creating a notification mechanism with the help of which plant could warn of danger. Such a preventive detection tool turned out to be the ability of greenery to discolor. The discoloration signals the excess of the permissible concentration of pollutants. We will tell about the amazing facts of this discovery in this essay.
What Are Sentinel Plants?
Sentinel plants are certain species capable of detecting potentially hazardous substances that may cause harm or letterfall.
Sentinel plants are classified into two types based on the type of monitoring issue:
- the first group can detect new plants in the surroundings for hazard assessment among host greenery ;
- the second group is sensitive to surveillance, detects pest species of danger, and monitors the spreading of local enlargement.
How Plants Can Detect Bad Pesticides
Ian Wheeldon, associate professor of chemical and environmental engineering at the University of California, Riverside presented the results of his project. His team simulated and created a new empirical botanical object – the plant capable of detecting and monitoring harmful compounds. Special attention was paid to pesticides since this group of chemicals is often used in agriculture and gardening. This feature was called pesticide detection.
The Science of the Red Alert
It is marvelous that the plant reacts to the presence of pesticides by turning red without changing the process of growth and development. By studying metabolic processes, a direct correlation was found between the ability to survive and adapt to extreme conditions, and the content of a certain protein in the sprout.
This savior is abscisic acid or ABA, the plant hormone. ABA levels are monitored with the help of accessory proteins (receptors). Thus, during bad weather, prolonged aridity, and nutrient deficiencies, the concentration of this protein increases. These bio-sensors help the plant continue its development cycle, as the concentration differences regulate the closing of pores on the surface of leaves and stems to reduce water evaporation.
Assuming that the receptors might also recognize other substances besides ABA, the scientists used Azinphos-ethyl, a banned pesticide (due to its harmful health and environmental effects). It has been found that the receptors reorganized and started to recognize the pesticide and respond to its presence by turning red as a signal of change.
Real-World Uses and Benefits
Scientists expect to achieve the result of detecting and monitoring up to 100 banned pesticides using a single plant. The list of environmental problems to be solved may be longer. The idea requires additional time and implementation at state levels, as new green farms can be created to grow such sentinel plants.
Impact on Safety and Health
Thus, it became possible to create a wide range of biological sensors that detect the presence of diverse contaminants. In addition to detecting pesticides in plants, monitoring the water, soil, and air quality is possible. The vast spectrum of chemicals, from nonfood substances to medicines, enter rivers, wastewater, and sewage systems (due to the lack of control over wastewater), and pollute natural resources harm the environment, and its inhabitants. Compound monitoring with sentinel plants is possible to eliminate the problem.
