The heavy metal content of soil and shoots of Vaccinium myrtillus L. in the Słowiński National Park

Abstract

Abstract The research was carried out in the Słowiński National Park, in an area with 15 research stations in pine coniferous forests situated at locations (1) inaccessible to tourists, (2) most frequently visited by tourists as well as (3) in the vicinity of parking lots. The analysed samples comprised surface generic levels (Ol, Ofh, A), aboveground material (shoots; leaves and stems) and below-ground material (roots) of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus). The performed analyses showed statistically significant Spearman’s correlation coefficients for Zn content in the ‘soil - stems:’ (r = -0.44, p < 0.05, n = 45) relationship and the ‘soil - roots’ relationship (r = -0.52, p < 0.05, n = 45). Accordingly, there were significant statistical differences (U Mann-Whitney test) in zinc content in the ‘stems - roots’ relationship and the ‘leaves - roots’ relationship. Furthermore, the obtained results reveal an excessive accumulation of Mn in V. myrtillus. The content of the investigated heavy metals in V. myrtillus shoots decreased in the following order: Mn > Fe > Zn > Cu