Accumulation of Mn, Cu, and Zn in Flowers and Leaves of Catalpa bignonioides in an Urban Area Under Climate Change Conditions

Abstract

Abstract Green areas are an important part of the urban landscape. Trees produce oxygen, provide shade, maintain soil moisture, and reduce the amounts of toxic gases and dust in the air. Due to the changing climate, species characteristic of other climatic zones, e.g. Catalpa bignonioides, are planted in urban parks in Poland, mainly due to the attractive appearance of the leaves and flowers. The aim of the study was to assess the content of Mn, Cu, and Zn in flowers and leaves of C. bignonioides in the urban park and to determine the value of bioconcentration coefficients (BCF) of these metals. The obtained results indicate that the flowers and leaves of C. bignonioides accumulate lesser amounts of manganese, copper, and zinc. It is a consequence of the limited bioavailability of these components in soils, due to too high pH values resulting from alkalinization of urban soils. The values of bioconcentration coefficients (BCF <1) confirm the low accumulation of Mn, Cu, and Zn in both leaves and flowers of C. bignonioides, due to the limited mobility of manganese, copper, and zinc compounds in the soils of the urban park and the low impact of falling dusts, which are the carriers of the analyzed components.