Toxic elements are present in polluted water from mines, industrial outlets, storm water etc. Wetland plants take up toxic elements and increase the pH of the medium. In this thesis was investigated how the shoots of submerged plants and roots of emergent plants affected the pH of the surrounding water in the presence of free toxic ions. The aim was to clarify the mechanisms by which these plants change the surrounding water pH in the presence of toxic ions. The influence of Elodea canadensis shoots on the pH of the surrounding water was studied in the presence of cadmium (Cd) at low initial pH (4-5). The involvement of photosynthetic activity in the pH changes was investigated in the presence and absence of Cd. The cytosolic, vacuolar and apoplasmic pH changes as well as cytosolic Cd changes in E. canadensis were monitored. The influence of Eriophorum angustifolium roots on the pH of the surrounding water was investigated in the presence of a combination of Cd, copper, lead, zinc and arsenic at low initial pH (3.5). Eriophorum angustifolium root exudates were analyzed for organic acids. Elodea canadensis shoots increased the pH of the surrounding water, an effect more pronounced with increasing Cd levels and/or increasing plant biomass and increased plant Cd uptake. The pH increase in the presence of free Cd ions was not due to photosynthesis or proton uptake across the plasmalemma or tonoplast. Cadmium was initially sequestered in the apoplasm of E. canadensis and caused its acidosis. Eriophorum angustifolium roots increased the surrounding water pH and this effect was enhanced in the presence of arsenic and metals. This pH increase was found to depend partly on the release of oxalic acid, formic acid and succinic acid by the plants. In conclusion, E. canadensis shoots and E. angustifolium roots were found to increase the low initial pH of the surrounding water. The pH modulation by these species was enhanced by low levels of free toxic ions in the surrounding water. / At the time of the doctoral defense, the following papers were unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 2: Submitted. Paper 3: Submitted. Paper 4: Manuscript.

Des pollutions des sols (péri)urbains et urbaines fortement peuplées en métaux et metalloïdes persistants (éco)toxiques sont couramment observées à l’échelle globale. Certains éléments (Se, Cu…) ont des rôles biologiques et par contre d’autres (Pb, Cd…) ont uniquement un impact (éco)toxique qui peut être influencé par leur spéciation et compartimentation qui modifient leurs transferts et biodisponibilité. Dans une optique de gestion des sols et d’alimentation durables, des questions scientifiques pluridisciplinaires sont à creuser concernant : (i) les mécanismes en jeu dans la biodisponibilité et l’impact sur les organismes vivants des éléments inorganiques en lien avec leur spéciation ; (ii) la co-gestion des risques environnement-santé induits par des installations industrielles classées : ICPE en France (ex. usine de recyclage de batteries) avec les riverains qui cultivent des potagers ou les employés. Dans ce contexte, ont été étudiés : (i) le transfert des métaux entre phase solide et solution du sol sous l’influence des vers de terre sur un site ICPE; (ii) le transfert et la bioaccessibilité du Se en conditions contrôlées pour 2 formes chimiques; (iii) le risque sanitaire pour les riverains d’un site ICPE qui jardinent, et les facteurs influant les plombémies des professionnels (étude statistique des données). Une review bibliographique de la qualité du manioc en lien avec les pratiques culturales et culinaires et les caractéristiques de l’environnement a finalement été réalisée pour compléter la démarche « Sciences et Société » de la thèse. L’analyse des différents isotopes du plomb dans les sols aux alentours de l’usine de recyclage a permis de conclure que 84 à 100% du plomb des sols de surface est d’origine anthropique. Un comportement d’évitement des zones les plus polluées en plomb a été observé pour l’espèce de vers de terre A. caliginosa. Le transfert racinaire, la translocation du sélénium vers le maïs et sa bioaccessibilité dans le grain sont plus élevés dans le cas du séléniate (facteur de translocation de 1.1, et bioaccessibilité humaine de 89,3%) par rapport au sélénite (0.13, et bioaccessibilité de 82,7%). L’étude de la qualité des cultures des jardins proches de l’usine (à Bazoches), en relation avec la qualité du sol (faible contamination, pH basique et teneur élevée en matières organiques qui réduisent les transferts) et de l’atmosphère a mis en évidence un transfert atmosphère-plante qui dépend du métal (le Cd est le plus biodisponible) et du végétal. Les concentrations en Pb et Cd suivent respectivement les séquences : [laitue>poireau>céleri>carotte] et [laitue>céleri>carotte>poireau]. Pour réduire l’exposition des populations, un lavage soigneux des productions avant la consommation est préconisé. / Pollution of (peri)urban soils by (eco)toxic metal(loid)s is commonly observed on a global scale. Some elements (Se, Cu ...) have biological roles and other (Pb, Cd ...) only have an (eco)toxic impact influenced by their speciation and compartmentalization that can change their transfers and bioavailability. With the perspective of sustainable management of soil and food, multidisciplinary scientific questions are digging for: (i) the mechanisms involved in the bioavailability and impact on living organisms of inorganic elements related to speciation; (ii) the co-management of environmental-health risks from industrial regulated plants (ICPE in France, such as former battery recycling plant) with residents who grow vegetable gardens or employees. In this context, were studied: (1) the transfer of metals between solid phase and soil solution under the influence of earthworms on a ICPE site; (2) the transfer and bioavailability of Se in controlled conditions for two chemical forms; (3) the health risk for the residents with gardening activities near ICPE plant and factors influencing blood lead of professionals (statistical analysis of data). A literature review of the quality of cassava in connection with the cultivation and culinary practices and characteristics of the environment was finally performed to complete the "Science and Society" process of the thesis. From the analysis of different isotopes of lead in the soil around the recycling plant it was concluded that 84 to 100% of lead in surface soils has anthropogenic origin. Avoidance behavior in the most lead polluted areas was observed for A. caliginosa earthworm species. The selenium root transfer, translocation to corn and its bioavailability in the grain are higher in the case of selenate (translocation factor of 1.1, and human bioavailability of 89.3%) compared to selenite (0.13 and bioaccessibility 82.7%). The study of crops quality in the gardens near the ICPE plant (in Bazoches), in relation to atmosphere and soil quality (low Pb contamination, alkaline pH and high organic content that reduce pollutants transfers) highlighted an atmosphere-plant transfer which depends on the metal (Cd is the most bioavailable) and plant species. Pb and Cd concentrations follow respectively the sequences: [lettuce> Leek> celery> carrot] and [lettuce> celery> carrot> leek]. To reduce population exposure, thorough washing of productions before consumption is recommended.