Intracellular and Extracellular Uptake of Cadmium by the Moss Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus

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Abstract
Intra- and extracellular Cd uptake were investigated in the moss Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus. Intracellular Cd uptake displayed Michaelis–Menten kinetics and showed that the moss had a high uptake rate and high affinity for Cd. Extracellular Cd binding capacity was also high. The anion used had little effect on Cd uptake to either location but both intra- and extracellular Cd uptake were reduced by equimolar concentrations of Ca, Mg or Zn, although inhibition was not wholly competitive. Intracellular Cd uptake was not significantly affected by the supply of energy generating reserves but, like extracellular Cd uptake, showed altered characteristics following growth under controlled laboratory conditions. The results are compared with data on Cd uptake by the lichen genus Peltigera.