Spontaneous plant species from urban microhabitats: A potential resource for phytoremediation

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to inventory the herbaceous plant species from phytocoenoses installed on the street alignment in the city of Iasi and highlight their potential role in phytoremediation technologies. Based on observations from the field and specialized literature, the biological and ecological characteristics of the identified species were evidenced, and for some species, the potential for heavy metal accumulation and phytoremediation was also discussed. 87 species of herbaceous plants belonging to 67 genera and 23 botanical families were identified. 40% of the identified species are found in all the street alignments studied. Most of the species identified in the study area are of Eurasian origin (56.3%), annual and biannual (T - 44.8%, Ht - 15%), heliophiles, xero-mesophiles, eurytherms (T x - 51.72%) and euryionic (R x - 68.96%). Some species are considered indicators/monitors of environmental pollution with heavy metals and other species have promising potential to be used in phytoremediation technologies (phytoextraction, phytostabilisation).