Abstract
This study aimed to determine the concentrations of ten metals (Mn, Ni, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cr, Pb, Cd, Cu) in the soil at depths of 10 and 20 cm and selected plant species (Populus nigra L., Fraxinus ornus L., Salix alba L., Salix caprea L.), as well as to assess the ability of these plants of metal bioaccumulation, translocation and phytoremediation on the location of the mine pit and flotation tailings of the selected mine (in the center of the Republic of Serbia). The concentrations of Pb and Cu in the investigated soil at a depth of 10 cm were above remediation values stated in the regulations of the Republic of Serbia. At the same time, the concentration of Cd, Cr, Pb and Cu was above the limit values in both of the examined soil depths, while Ni in the soil at a depth of 10 cm was above the limit value determined in the Directives of the European Union. The species F. ornus shows the ability to phytoextract Ca, species P. nigra Zn, Ca and Cd, while both Salix species have the capacity to phytoextract Zn and Ca. The results showed that species S. alba is an efficient bioaccumulator of Mn, Fe, Cr, Pb, Zn and Ca, S. caprea of Fe, Cu, Cr, Mg and Pb, and P. nigra of Mn and Cd. The bioaccumulation and translocation of the investigated elements depend on plant species and their organ. The selection of plant species adequate for remediation should take this into account.
Highlights
-called ‘heavy metals’ (Fergusson, 1990) are naturally occurring elements in the biosphere
The results of this research showed the total contents of all tested metals in the soil were higher than their accessible ones, and that their values were greater at a depth of 10 cm compared to a depth of 20 cm of soil
The results obtained showed that Cd, Pb, Cr and Cu concentrations at both of examined depths in the investigated soil were above the maximum allowable concentration of these substances in the soil, and above limit values, as prescribed in the regulations of the Republic of Serbia (EU Directive 86/278/EEC, 1986; Kabata-Pendias, 2004)
Summary
-called ‘heavy metals’ (metallic elements that have a relatively high density compared to water) (Fergusson, 1990) are naturally occurring elements in the biosphere. This is a group of metals and semimetals (metalloids) that have been associated with contamination and potential toxicity or ecotoxicity. Received in revised form: 22 Nov 2021. From Volume 49, Issue 1, 2021, Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca journal uses article numbers in place of the traditional method of continuous pagination through the volume. The journal will continue to appear quarterly, as before, with four annual numbers
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