Bioaccumulation of arsenic and cadmium in birch and lime from the Bor region

Antioxidant activities in relation to the transport of heavy metals from the soil to different parts of Betula pendula (Roth.)

BACKGROUND

Birch is a tree with a common occurrence in the environment and its organs are used in the form of herbal material. An important aspect of this study is birch pollen, which is a problem for allergy sufferers, and due to a variety of environmental conditions, its allergenicity may increase. Among the organs studied, inflorescences deserve attention, which, as seen from an overview of the literature, are analysed for the content of heavy metals for the first time in this study.

RESULTS

This paper investigated the relationship between antioxidant properties and the content of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Ni and Cr) as the plant's response to stress, taking into account both the vegetative and generative organs of the tree Betula pendula. While studying the accumulation of elements in individual organs, the research was extended to include the aspect of different environmental conditions, reflected in two soil types of differing physicochemical properties: sandy and silty soils. In order to thoroughly analyse the transport of the studied heavy metals from the soil to individual organs (leaves, inflorescences and pollen), ecotoxicological indicators were used. A modified translocation factor (TF) index into sTF (sap translocation factor) was presented as a novelty in research, calculated based on the content of selected heavy metals in the sap flowing to individual birch organs. This allowed for a more complete description of the transport of elements in the aerial parts of plants, indicating the accumulation of zinc and cadmium, especially in leaves. Among the studied environmental conditions which may affect the accumulation of heavy metals, sandy soil is of particular significance, conditioning lower pH values, among other things. However, analysis of the reaction of birch to the conditions of the soil environment and the content of heavy metals, based on antioxidant properties, demonstrated an evident reaction to stress, but without an unambiguous response among the studied vegetative and generative organs.

CONCLUSIONS

As birch is a plant with wide utility values, monitoring studies are advisable to exclude the risk of accumulation of heavy metals in its organs, and for this purpose it may be useful to use the sTF indicator and assess the antioxidant potential.

Bioaccumulation characteristics, transfer model of heavy metals in soil-crop system and health assessment in plateau region, China

This study investigated the bioaccumulation and transfer of heavy metals including Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn in soil-crop system in Lhasa, and assessed the health risks of the edible part of the crops. The results showed that the average values of Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn were 0.15, 44.55, 24.68, 532.40, 22.47, 38.18 and 73.99 mg kg^-1 in natural soil, and 0.16, 46.93, 38.45, 559.13, 23.23, 40.03 and 83.29 mg kg^-1 in cultivated soil, respectively. Highland barley and wheat had the strongest ability to accumulate Zn in grain, the BCF values were 0.24 and 0.27, respectively, significant differences in the distribution of metal contents in crop root, stem, leaf and grain were observed. Root presented larger accumulation capacity in most metals, Zn and Cu was easily transferred in the plant organs, most metals in this study presented difficult to migrate from root to grain. The transfer peak of most metals in soil-crop system appeared from stem to leaf. The concentrations of Cr and Mn in crop grains could be predicted according to the multiple linear regression models. THQ and HI values of heavy metals in edible parts of both highland barley and wheat were below the safety threshold of 1, indicating no detrimental effects posed to adults health. This study helps to understand the accumulation and transfer of heavy metals in soil-crop system in plateau region.

Bacterial inoculant-assisted phytoremediation affects trace element uptake and metabolite content in Salix atrocinerea

Natural plant-associated microorganisms are of critical importance to plant growth and survival in field conditions under toxic concentrations of trace elements (TE) and these plant-microbial processes can be harnessed to enhance phytoremediation. The total bacterial diversity from grey willow (Salix atrocinerea) on a brownfield heavily-polluted with lead (Pb) and arsenic (As) was studied through pyrosequencing. Culturable bacteria were isolated and in vitro tested for plant growth-promotion (PGP) traits, arsenic (As) tolerance and impact on As speciation. Two of the most promising bacterial strains - the root endophyte Pantoea sp. AV62 and the rhizospheric strain Rhodococcus erythropolis AV96 - were inoculated in field to S. atrocinerea. This bioaugmentation resulted in higher As and Pb concentrations in both, roots and leaves of bacterial-inoculated plants as compared to non-inoculated plants. In consequence, bacterial bioaugmentation also affected parameters related to plant growth, oxidative stress, the levels of phytochelatins and phenylpropanoids, together with the differential expression of genes related to these tolerance mechanisms to TE in leaves. This study extends our understanding about plant-bacterial interactions and provides a solid basis for further bioaugmentation studies aiming to improve TE phytoremediation efficiency and predictability in the field.

Effect of Drought and Heavy Metal Contamination on Growth and Photosynthesis of Silver Birch Trees Growing on Post-Industrial Heaps

Silver birch trees (Betula pendula Roth) are a pioneering species in post-industrial habitats, and have been associated with an expansive breeding strategy and low habitat requirements. We conducted ecophysiological and dendroclimatological studies to check whether there are any features of which the modification enables birch trees to colonise extreme habitats successfully. We characterised the efficiency of the photosynthetic apparatus, the gas exchange, the content of pigments in leaves, and the growth (leaf thickness and tree-ring width) of birch trees on a post-coal mine heap, a post-smelter heap, and a reference site. Birch growth was limited mainly by temperature and water availability during summer, and the leaves of the birch growing on post-industrial heaps were significantly thicker than the reference leaves. Moreover, birch trees growing on heaps were characterised by a significantly higher content of flavonols and anthocyanins in leaves and higher non-photochemical quenching. In addition, birches growing on the post-coal mine heap accumulated a concentration of Mn in their leaves, which is highly toxic for most plant species. Increasing the thickness of leaves, and the content of flavonols and anthocyanins, as well as efficient non-photochemical quenching seem to be important features that improve the colonization of extreme habitats by birches.

Rehabilitation of mine soils by phytostabilization: Does soil inoculation with microbial consortia stimulate Agrostis growth and metal(loid) immobilization?

Metal(loid) soil pollution resulting from mining activities is an important issue that has negative effects on the environment (soil acidification, lack of vegetation, groundwater pollution) and human health (cancer, chronic diseases). In the context of a phytostabilization process for the bioremediation of a mine soil highly contaminated by arsenic (As) and lead (Pb), a pot experiment was set up to study the effect of plant sowing and microbial inoculation on soil properties, metal(loid) (im)mobilization in soil and accumulation in plant, and plant growth. For this, mine soil was sown with endemic metallicolous Agrostis seeds and/or inoculated with endogenous microbial consortia previously selected for their As and Pb tolerance. Agrostis was able to develop on the contaminated mine soil and immobilized metal(loid)s through metal(loid) accumulation in the roots. Its growth was improved by microbial consortium inoculation. Moreover, microbial consortium inoculation increased soil organic content and electrical conductivity, and led to an increase in soil microbial activities (linked to C and P cycles); however, it also induced a metal(loid) mobilization. In conclusion, microbial consortium inoculation stimulated the growth of endemic Agrostis plants and thus ameliorated the phytostabilization of a former mine soil highly polluted by As and Pb. This study is thus a good example of the benefits of coupling several approaches such as phytostabilization and bioaugmentation for the bioremediation of former mine contaminated sites.

Contrasted tolerance of Agrostis capillaris metallicolous and non-metallicolous ecotypes in the context of a mining technosol amended by biochar, compost and iron sulfate

Metal(loid) contamination of soil, resulting from the mining activities, is a major issue worldwide, due to its negative effects on the environment and health. Therefore, these contaminated soils need to be remediated. One realistic method is the assisted phytostabilization, which aims at establishing a vegetation cover on the soil that will reduce metal(loid) bioavailability and spreading through the prevention of wind erosion and water leaching. In addition, amendments are applied to improve soil conditions and ameliorate plant growth. In this goal, biochar and compost showed good results in terms of amelioration of soil fertility and reduction in lead bioavailability. However, they usually have a negative effect on arsenic. On the contrary, iron sulfate showed capacity to reduce arsenic mobility through interaction with its iron hydroxides. Finally, the choice of the appropriate plant species is crucial for the success of assisted phytostabilization. One good option is to use endemic species, adapted to the metal(loid) stress, with a fast growth and large shoot and root systems. The aims of this study were to (1) evaluate the effects of applying biochar, compost and iron sulfate, alone or combined, to a former mine soil on the soil properties and Agrostis capillaris growth, and (2) assess the difference between two Agrostis capillaris ecotypes, an endemic metallicolous ecotype and a non-metallicolous ecotype. Results of the mesocosm experiment showed that amendment application improved soil properties, i.e., reduced soil acidity, increased nutrient availability and lower metal(loid) stress, the best being the combination biochar-compost-iron sulfate. These ameliorations allowed a better plant growth. Finally, the metallicolous ecotype performed better in terms of growth than the non-metallicolous one and could thus be used in an assisted phytostabilization process on the former mine site.

Potential use of grapevine cv Askari for heavy metal phytoremediation purposes at greenhouse scale

Grapevine varieties possess desirable characteristics for phytoremediation purposes. We investigated the potential of grapevine cv Askari in phytoremediation of heavy metal (HM) pollutions. In total 80 grapevine seedlings were exposed to four levels of HM stress (mild, low, moderate, and severe) in greenhouse condition during two growing years (2018 and 2019). The HM concentrations (Zn, Cu, Cd, Cr, and Pb) were subsequently determined in the soils, roots, and grapevine aboveground parts (AGPs), and then phytoextraction and phytostabilization potential assessment indices, i.e., biological absorption coefficient (BAC), bioconcentration factor (BCF), and translocation factor (TF), were calculated. Results led to ranking of the cumulative concentration order of the HMs, i.e.: soils (3476.6) > AGPs (1418.8) > roots (562.2) mg/kg-DW. The mean concentrations ranking order of studied HMs were in soil: Cu (1184.8) > Pb (865.5) > Cd (803.2) > Cr (623.0) > Zn (277.9) mg/kg-DW; roots, Cu (242.0) > Cd (239.5) > Zn (188.8) > Pb (63.5) > Cr (17.2) mg/kg-DW; and AGP environments, Cu (910.2) > Cd (322.9) > Zn (160.3) > Pb (152.9) > Cr (25.3) mg/kg-DW. Principal component analysis results demonstrated the same distribution pattern for the studied HMs between soil, root, and AGP environments, and the highest correlation coefficients were found for Cu, Zn, and Cd. Based on the obtained results (Cu-BAC (> 1), Zn-BCF (> 1), Zn-TF (< 1), Cu-AGP mean concentrations (> 1000 mg/kg-DW), and Cd-AGP mean concentrations (> 100 mg/kg-DW)), it can be concluded that grapevine cv Askari possesses potentials for phytoremediation purposes of Cu, Zn, and Cd. These results were acquired in a greenhouse environment and under controlled conditions; we suggest that the phytoremediation potential of this grapevine variety be assessed in a contaminated vineyard environment as well.

Rapid and simple determination of As in bottled birch saps by hydride generation inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry

A strategy was developed for the determination of total As in birch saps (BSs) by hydride generation (HG) coupled with inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). We proposed and validated a simple and robust HG-ICP-OES method with no need for tedious and long sample preparation before measurements. Corresponding As hydride was generated in reaction with NaBH₄ (1.0%) in acidic conditions (10 mol L^-1 HCl) after pre-reduction of As(V) to As(III) in a KI (0.5%)-ascorbic acid (2.0%)-HCl (3 mol L^-1) mixture. Several different sample preparation procedures, including digestive and non-digestive approaches, were tested in order to improve the detectability of As using HG-ICP-OES. Reactivity of As towards HG under conditions of a real sample was investigated to check potential interfering effects coming from undecomposed sample matrix constituents. The proposed method included the direct analysis of untreated samples (only pre-reduction prior to HG) and precision (<6% as relative standard deviation), accuracy (94.7-108.7% as recoveries) and sensitivity (limit of detection at 0.26 ng mL^-1) that was suitable for trace analysis. An absence of matrix effects allowed external calibration for quantification of As. Applicability of the method was demonstrated by determination of As in several commercially available bottled BSs.

Chemometric characterization of heavy metals in soils and shoots of the two pioneer species sampled near the polluted water bodies in the close vicinity of the copper mining and metallurgical complex in Bor (Serbia): Phytoextraction and biomonitoring contexts

In terms of investigating the authentic plant biomonitoring and phytoextraction potentials, the samples of soils and shoots of the sun spurge (SS) and common nettle (CN), were collected near several polluted water bodies in the close vicinity of the copper mining/metallurgical complex in Bor (Serbia) and characterized with regard to the content of heavy metal(oid)s: As, Cd, Pb, Cu, and Zn. The methods applied in this work such as inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson's correlation study, hierarchical cluster analysis, and the calculation of bioaccumulation rates (expressed through the so called mobility ratios, MRs), provided very informative data on the potentials of both investigated pioneer species. The most important findings were: 1) In most cases, SS was more effective in metal extraction/translocation/bioaccumulation than CN, and especially with regard to Cu; in this particular case, extremely high concentrations were recorded and also, some significant MRs were calculated, which may be a signal of its promising potential for Cu-phytoremediation, practically, Cu-phytoextraction; however, generally, the values of most calculated MRs were very low (<1, for both plants); 2) The shoots of both plants reflected soundly the current status of metal presence in the studied environment and they can be recommended for seasonal screenings of a general level of metal pollution in the areas of interest; however, specifically, they cannot reflect quite correctly the level of soil pollution; 3) Soil Cu, and As were detected in alarming concentrations.

Application of amendments for the phytoremediation of a former mine technosol by endemic pioneer species: alder and birch seedlings

Metal(loid) pollution of soils has important negative effects on the environment and human health. For the rehabilitation of these soils, some eco-innovative strategies, such as phytoremediation, could be chosen. This practice could establish a plant cover to reduce the toxicity of the pollutants and stabilize the soil, preventing soil erosion and water leaching; this technique is called phytoremediation. For this, plants need to be tolerant to the pollutants present; thus, phytoremediation can have better outcomes if endemic species of the polluted area are used. Finally, to further improve phytoremediation success, amendments can be applied to ameliorate soil conditions. Different amendments can be used, such as biochar, a good metal(loid) immobilizer, compost, a nutrient-rich product and iron sulfate, an efficient arsenic immobilizer. These amendments can either be applied alone or combined for further positive effects. In this context, a mesocosm experiment was performed to study the effects of three amendments, biochar, compost and iron sulfate, applied alone or combined to a former mine technosol, on the soil properties and the phytoremediation potential of two endemic species, Alnus sp. and Betula sp. Results showed that the different amendments reduced soil acidity and decreased metal(loid) mobility, thus improving plant growth. Both species were able to grow on the amended technosols, but alder seedlings had a much higher growth compared to birch seedlings. Finally, the combination of compost with biochar and/or iron sulfate and the establishment of endemic alder plants could be a solution to rehabilitate a former mine technosol.

Saponaria officinalis L. and Achillea millefolium L. as possible indicators of trace elements pollution caused by mining and metallurgical activities in Bor, Serbia

This study evaluates bioaccumulation and translocation potentials of trace elements (TEs) by Saponaria officinalis L. (soapwort) and Achillea millefolium L. (yarrow) in order to select and optimize phytoremediation methods for the polluted environment of the city of Bor, Serbia. According to the enrichment factor for soil (i.e., 57.9-128.8 for Cd and As), pollution index (i.e., 6.6-84.7 for Cu), pollution load index (2.9-98.8), individual potential risk factors (11.5-5163), and potential ecological risk index values (260-6379), urban and rural soils from the city of Bor were classified as very contaminated with the investigated TEs. The results from all the indices and statistical analysis showed significant ecological risks of Cu, As, and Cd at the investigated sites and urge the need for remediation. The enrichment factor of the plants for As (566.3) and Cd (306.2) indicated a high enrichment level of the herb organs at all the sites. Since there are small differences in metal accumulation index values between the herbs and their parts (root, shoot), soapwort and yarrow can be considered as potential bioindicators. Based on the biological concentration and translocation factors, soapwort can be recommended as a suitable herb for phytoextraction purposes of Pb, As, and Cd polluted areas. Yarrow shows good characteristics for phytoextraction of Cu, Pb, and As from the contaminated soil. Principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) results indicate their similar origin from atmospheric deposition. Therefore, these herbs can be utilized as a bioindicator and phytoremediator in polluted areas influenced by metallurgical activities to detect possible levels of TEs.

Efficiency of Pinus nigra J.F. Arnold in removing pollutants from urban environment (Plovdiv, Bulgaria)

The aim of this study was to assess the efficiency of urban vegetation in removing pollutants from the environment using Pinus nigra J.F. Arnold as a model tree. For this purpose, the concentrations of some heavy metal and potentially toxic elements (Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, U, and Zn) in needles, branches, and roots of P. nigra, as well as in the surrounding soil, have been analyzed and the removal capacity has been estimated on the basis of element translocation. The relationship between ecosystem services provisioning and plant well-being was also analyzed through physiological (photosynthetic pigment content and ratio) and anatomical (leaf injuries appearance) indicators. Enrichment factor, translocation factor, bioaccumulation factor, and index of translocation were calculated in order to assess the urban impact and removal efficiency of sampled trees, as well as the general transport of trace elements between the studied plant's organs as results of wet and dry atmospheric deposition. Anthropogenic pollution with As, Cd, and Pb was proven in whole urban environment, so these high values of translocation through pine trees have given an added value to the regulating ecosystem services of urban vegetation. Searching and planting of trees with higher removal efficiency could be crucial for improving quality of urban environment.

Phytoextraction of arsenic forms in selected tree species growing in As-polluted mining sludge

The aim of this study was to determine the phytoextraction of inorganic (As(III), As(V)) and organic arsenic (As_org) forms in six tree species: Acer platanoides, Acer pseudoplatanus, Betula pendula, Quercus robur, Tilia cordata and Ulmus laevis. Plants were grown in a pot experiment using As-polluted mining sludge for 90 days. Arsenic (As_total) was accumulated mainly in the roots of all six tree species, which were generally thinner, shorter and/or black after the experiment. The highest concentration of As(III) and As(V) was determined in the roots of A. pseudoplatanus and A. platanoides (174 and 420 mg kg^-1, respectively). High concentrations of As(III) were also recorded in the shoots of B. pendula (11.9 mg kg^-1) and As(V) in the aerial parts of U. laevis and A. pseudoplatanus (77.4 and 70.1 mg kg^-1). With some exceptions, the dominant form in the tree organs was As_org, present in mining sludge in low concentration. This form has a decisive influence on As phytoextraction by young tree seedlings even though its BCF value was the only one lower than 1. The obtained results highlight the important role of speciation studies in assessing the response of plants growing in heavily polluted mining sludge.

Evaluation of the potential of Erodium glaucophyllum L. for phytoremediation of metal-polluted arid soils

The present work aimed at studying pollution of traffic-related heavy metals (HMs) in roadside soils and their uptake by the Mediterranean native species Erodium glaucophyllum L., growing along Gabès-El Hamma highway, Gabès (Tunisia). Here, heavy metals were analyzed in soils and in plant roots and shoots along different distances from the highway edge. High levels of all the investigated soil trace elements were found in samples collected at 15 m distance from the highway. Overall, HM concentrations in the below- and aboveground part of E. glaucophyllum showed significant decreases with increasing distance from the highway. The lowest values were recorded at 150 m. Biological concentration factor (BCF) and mobility ratio (MR) of all investigated heavy metals were > 1 at all distances from the highway, except for Mn and Cu. High values of BCF and MR for Zn indicate that E. glaucophyllum has an excellent potential for the assimilation of this element from the soil. In addition, the higher translocation factors (TF) of Pb, Cd, Zn, and Fe in E. glaucophyllum shoots make it suitable for their phytoextraction from soil, while the lower TF for Mn and Cu make this plant convenient for their phytostabilization. Moreover, the significant positive correlations of Mn, Pb, Cu, and Zn in soil and Erodium organs may suggest its potential use as biomonitor of these trace elements. According to these results, E. glaucophyllum seems to be valued as an efficient native species for in situ phytoremediation program on traffic metal-polluted soils.

The content of the potentially toxic elements, iron and manganese, in the grapevine cv Tamjanika growing near the biggest copper mining/metallurgical complex on the Balkan peninsula: phytoremediation, biomonitoring, and some toxicological aspects

Plants growing in areas polluted by heavy metals represent excellent models for the investigations related to their potentials for hazardous metals accumulation which further may help in the estimation of plant practical biomonitoring and phytoremediation potentials. In this study, the potentials of the grapevine cultivar Tamjanika from a highly polluted region in Eastern Serbia, with intensive copper mining and metallurgical activities, were estimated in regard to the potentially toxic elements such as iron and manganese; the potential danger from these metals through fruit consummation is also considered. Used methods were the following: ICP-OES analysis, calculation of biological coefficients, the Pearson correlation study, one-way ANOVA, and hierarchical cluster analysis. The results revealed that a great majority of the recorded concentrations in different plant organs were in the range of normal concentrations, as well as that the calculated accumulation rates for both metals were very low. The data also pointed to generally minimal to moderate enrichment by these metals which represents totally dissimilar situation in comparison with other heavy metals detected in the very same plant samples. The results of this study suggested that the investigated plants of the grapevine cv Tamjanika assimilated iron and manganese predominately according to their individual needs, and confirmed that the utilization of this plant species can be very effective in different biomonitoring procedures and also in the phytoremediation procedure known as phytostabilization. At the same time, it was obvious that even in aggressive circumstances its fruit was protected from some serious contamination and kept pretty safe for consummation.

Phytoextraction of potentially toxic elements by six tree species growing on hazardous mining sludge

The aim of the study was to compare the phytoextraction abilities of six tree species (Acer platanoides L., Acer pseudoplatanus L., Betula pendula Roth, Quercus robur L., Tilia cordata Miller, Ulmus laevis Pall.), cultivated on mining sludge contaminated with arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), thallium (Tl), and zinc (Zn). All six tree species were able to survive on such an unpromising substrate. However, A. platanoides and T. cordata seedlings grown on the polluted substrate showed significantly lower biomass than control plants (55.5 and 45.6%, respectively). As, Cd, Cu, Pb, and Tl predominantly accumulated in the roots of all the analyzed tree species with the following highest contents: 1616, 268, 2432, 547, and 856 mg kg^-1, respectively. Zn was predominantly localized in shoots with the highest content of 5801 and 5732 mg kg^-1 for U. laevis and A. platanoides, respectively. A. platanoides was the most effective in Zn phytoextaction, with a bioconcentration factor (BCF) of 8.99 and a translocation factor (TF) of 1.5. Furthermore, with the exception of A. pseudoplatanus, the analyzed tree species showed a BCF > 1 for Tl, with the highest value for A. platanoides (1.41). However, the TF for this metal was lower than 1 in all the analyzed tree species. A. platanoides showed the highest BCF and a low TF and could, therefore, be a promising species for Tl phytostabilization. In the case of the other analyzed tree species, their potential for effective phytoextraction was markedly lower. Further studies on the use of A. platanoides in phytoremediation would be worth conducting.

Levels of selected trace elements in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), silver birch (Betula pendula L.), and Norway maple (Acer platanoides L.) in an urbanized environment

The aim of the study was to determine the concentrations of selected trace elements in needles and bark of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), leaves and bark of silver birch (Betula pendula L.), and Norway maple (Acer platanoides L.), as well as in the soil in which the trees grew, depending on their localization and hence the distribution of local pollution sources. The content of trace elements in needles of Scots pine, leaves of silver birch, and Norway maple and in bark of these trees depended on the location, tree species, and analyzed organ. The content of Fe, Mn, and Zn in needles, leaves, and bark of the examined tree species was significantly higher than that of the other elements. The highest average content of Fe and Mn was detected in leaves of Norway maple whereas the highest average content of Zn was found in silver birch leaves. The impact of such locations as the center of Olsztyn or roadside along Road 51 on the content of individual elements tended to be more pronounced than the influence of the other locations. The influence of the sampling sites on the content of trace elements in tree bark was less regular than the analogous effect in needles and leaves. Moreover, the relevant dependences were slightly different for Scots pine than for the other two tree species. The concentrations of heavy metals determined in the soil samples did not exceed the threshold values set in the Regulation of the Minister for the Environment, although the soil along Road 51 and in the center of Olsztyn typically had the highest content of these elements. There were also significant correlations between the content of some trace elements in soil and their accumulation in needles, leaves, and bark of trees.

Chemometric evaluation of trace metals in Prunus persica L. Batech and Malus domestica from Minićevo (Serbia)

The samples of spatial soils and different organs of Prunus persica L. Batech and Malus domestica were analyzed by methods such as inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA), One-way ANOVA, and calculation of biological accumulation factors (BAFs) with the aim of investigating whether these methods may help in the evaluation of trace metals in plants, as well as in the estimation of plant bioaccumulation potentials. ICP-OES provided accurate data on present concentrations of Cu, Zn, Pb, As, Cd, and Ni which showed that most concentrations were in normal ranges, except in some cases for Cu, Zn, and As. HCA illustrated nicely various specifics in the distribution of metals in both investigated systems plant-soil. One-way ANOVA pointed successfully on the existing statistical differences between metal concentrations. Calculated BAFs showed that both plants had very low accumulation rates for all elements; they acted as metal excluders.

Bioaccumulation of HMW PAHs in the roots of wild blackberry from the Bor region (Serbia): Phytoremediation and biomonitoring aspects

In this work, the samples of roots and soils from the rooting zone of wild blackberry were collected from the urban-industrial and rural locations near "The Copper Mining and Smelting Complex Bor" (Serbia); they were analyzed by gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric method to determine the content of high-molecular weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (HMW PAHs). The obtained results were further processed using bio-concentration factor, Pearson's correlation study and hierarchical cluster analysis with the aim of investigating if they may be in favor of wild blackberry as a suitable plant for biomonitoring or phytoremediation purposes. In spite of the fact that numerous complex factors can affect the assimilation and accumulation of PAHs in plants, the obtained data expressed clearly many interesting specifics related to HMW PAH accumulation in roots of wild blackberry that naturally grows in an area, which is heavily polluted by heavy metals. The accumulation of individual PAH compounds in plant roots was at different level. The most abundant compound in all plant samples was benzo[a]pyrene and based on the results obtained for this environmental indicator of carcinogenic PAHs, it was possible to make several central conclusions: wild blackberry showed an excellent potential for its extraction from the soil and further accumulation in root tissues which indicate that this plant species may be applied in phytoremediation procedures based on mechanisms such as phytoextraction/phytoaccumulation in roots; phytostabilization and rhizodegradation are also possible as remediation mechanisms; utilization of plant roots in soil monitoring is possible but in this case, only the combination with soil data can provide correct information.

Framework for using deciduous tree leaves as biomonitors for intraurban particulate air pollution in exposure assessment

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) air pollution, varying in concentration and composition, has been shown to cause or exacerbate adverse effects on both human and ecological health. The concept of biomonitoring using deciduous tree leaves as a proxy for intraurban PM air pollution in different areas has previously been explored using a variety of study designs (e.g., systematic coverage of an area, source-specific focus), deciduous tree species, sampling strategies (e.g., single day, multi-season), and analytical methods (e.g., chemical, magnetic) across multiple geographies and climates. Biomonitoring is a low-cost sampling method and may potentially fill an important gap in current air monitoring methods by providing low-cost, longer-term urban air pollution measures. As such, better understanding of the range of methods, and their corresponding strengths and limitations, is critical for employing the use of tree leaves as biomonitors for pollution to improve spatially resolved exposure assessments for epidemiological studies and urban planning strategies.

Plant parts of the apple tree (Malus spp.) as possible indicators of heavy metal pollution

The content of Cu, Zn, Pb, As, Cd, and Ni was determined by ICP-OES in spatial soil and parts (root, branches, leaves, and fruit) of the apple tree (Malus spp.) from polluted sites near The Mining and Smelting Complex Bor (Serbia). The aim of this study was to examine if the obtained results can be used for biomonitoring purposes. Data recorded in plant parts, especially leaves, gave very useful information about the environmental state of the Bor region. Conveniently, these data described well the capability of investigated plant species to assimilate and tolerate severely high concentrations of heavy metals in its tissues, which may further allow the possibility for utilization of the apple tree for phytostabilization.

Impact of metallurgical activities on the content of trace elements in the spatial soil and plant parts of Rubus fruticosus L

The concentrations of the trace elements (TEs), Cu, Zn, Pb, As, Cd, Ni, were determined in parts of Rubus fruticosus L. and in topsoil, collected from eight different locations around the copper smelter in Bor, Serbia. Extremely high concentrations of Cu were determined in the soil and in R. fruticosus L., and for arsenic at some locations. The enrichment factors for TEs in soil showed enrichment with Cu, Zn, Pb, and As among which extremely high values were determined for Cu (EFsoil = 8.5-126.1) and As (EFsoil = 6.6-44.4). The enrichment factors for the parts of R. fruticosus L. showed enrichment with all TEs, except for nickel. The most extreme enrichment was found to occur in roots and stems for Cu (EFplant = 56.2 and 51.1) and leaves for Pb (EFplant = 45.68). The mean values of the three ratios of concentrations between plant parts for all TEs indicated pollution via the atmosphere while leaves appeared to be the best indicators for this kind of pollution. Numerous and very strong Pearson's correlations between TEs in the R. fruticosus L. parts confirmed these results. Principal Component Analysis showed that the major pollution source is the copper smelter that contaminates vegetation through soil and air.

Assessment of the quality of polluted areas based on the content of heavy metals in different organs of the grapevine (Vitis vinifera) cv Tamjanika

In this study, the samples of the spatial soil and organs of the grapevine (Vitis vinifera) cultivar Tamjanika were collected from the selected zones near the Mining and Smelting Complex Bor (East Serbia). They were analyzed by ICP-OES to determine the content of Cu, Zn, Pb, As, Cd, and Ni with the aim of ascertaining if these data may help in the assessment and improvement of the quality of environment in polluted areas such as Bor and its surrounding area. The results obtained from the calculated biological and enrichment factors, as well as from the Pearson correlation study and hierarchical cluster analysis confirmed that very useful information is recorded in plant organs: root, stem, leaves, and fruit. Yet, when the atmospheric pollution is the sphere of interest, the most informative data are found in unwashed leaves. The results of this study indicated also that the investigated plant species has some highly effective strategies involved in tolerance to the stress induced by heavy metals, which makes it an excellent candidate for phytostabilization purposes. Planting of this grapevine cultivar can be recommended in all areas that are severely polluted with heavy metals.