Abstract
This research was performed at Petrovsky waste rock dump, the Central part of the Kryvyi Rih iron-ore & metallurgical district (Dnipropetrovsk region, Ukraine). The macronutrients (K, Ca, Mg, P and S) and heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd) contents in the leaves of three species of the trees (Ash-leaved maple, Silver Birch and Black locust) that were collected on devastated lands were assessed. It was established that trees which grow on the Petrovsky dump take place under evident shortage of nutrients (especially K and P) and excess of metals (especially Fe, Mn and Zn). It is revealed that Ash-leaved maple and Black locust are more resistant to the geochemical conditions of devastated lands. In this regard, these species of trees can be recommended for forest restoration & reforestation on devastated lands.
Highlights
Devastated lands, formed as a result of human activity, occupy vast areas: more than 2,000,000 ha worldwide, about 200,000 ha in Ukraine and about 100,000 ha in Germany [14, 16, 21]
We found that in a control site the values Potassium concentration in the leaves of Birch and Black locusts leaves were below these this range
By the results of our research, Calcium content in the Birch leaves is within this range, while in the leaves of Black locust and Maple the examined value is above this limit
Summary
Devastated lands, formed as a result of human activity, occupy vast areas: more than 2,000,000 ha worldwide, about 200,000 ha in Ukraine and about 100,000 ha in Germany [14, 16, 21]. These lands are as pollution sources for the atmosphere, soil, surface water. Planting trees is the most promising way of restoring devastated lands [1, 19]. Investigation of chemical composition of trees that naturally grow on devastated lands is very important
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