Simultaneous determination of inorganic and organic ions in plant parts of Betula pendula from two different types of ecosystems (Wielkopolski National Park and Chemical Plant in Luboń, Poland).

Marcin Frankowski

doi:10.1007/s11356-016-6274-4

Abstract

The results of inorganic and organic anion concentrations in samples of soils and plant parts of Betula pendula (tap roots, lateral roots, stem, twigs, leaves), in the bioavailable fraction, are presented in this study. An ion chromatography method was applied for the first time in the simultaneous determination of inorganic and organic anions, as an effective tool for qualitative and quantitative analysis of samples with different matrix. A linear gradient elution with potassium hydroxide allowed for the separation of both inorganic and organic ions such as: F−, CH3COO−, HCOO−, Cl−, NO2−, Br− and NO3−, SO42−, CH2(COO)22−, C2O42−, PO43− and C3H5O(COO)33−. The samples of soils and plant parts of B. pendula from the area of the Wielkopolski National Park (WNP) and the Chemical Plant in Luboń (LU; protected vs. contaminated area) were selected for the study. The obtained results indicated that such inorganic ions as: F−, Cl−, NO3− and PO43− are quite easily transported from soil to leaves. In contrast, the mechanism of migration could not be clearly defined for SO42− because the ion was retained in roots of many of the analysed samples. Significantly higher bioavailability of inorganic ions was observed for samples collected from the area of the WNP. Phosphates were the only ions which showed no variation in their concentrations between the two sampling sites, both for soils and plant parts of B. pendula. None of the organic anions was detected in soil samples. The acetate, formate, malonate, oxalate and citrate ions were detected in all leaf samples. The statistical analysis allowed the author to determine the mechanism of ion migration and accumulation in leaves and, additionally, determine the variation in the occurrence of inorganic and organic ions depending on the sampling site (WNP vs. LU). The results of the statistical analysis were confirmed by the bioacumulation (BF) and translocation (TF) factors.

Highlights

It is well known that soil is a natural reservoir of the elements essential for plant nutrition (Cataldi et al 2003)
In order to determine the spatial variability of anion concentrations, the study area was divided into two Bcritical^ areas with different anion concentrations in the soil: Luboń Chemical Plant (LU) and Wielkopolski National Park (WNP)
For the samples taken from the WNP area, it was observed that fluoride ions could accumulate with time, which was confirmed by F− concentrations determined in leaves and lower F− concentrations in soils and roots

Summary

Introduction

It is well known that soil is a natural reservoir of the elements essential for plant nutrition (Cataldi et al 2003). The transfer of these elements from the soil to plants is not a simple physicochemical process and cannot be explained without regard to both physiological properties of plants and conditions in which plants grow (Baltrenaite et al 2012). The organic acids play an important role in the plant metabolism and catabolism. They are involved in the Krebs cycle (e.g. citrate, malate, acetate, succinate and fumarate), in respiration and photosynthetic processes (malate) and in detoxification (oxalate and citrate) (Truicǎ et al 2013).

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Conclusion