The impact of thermal power plant Oslomej (Kichevo valley, Macedonia) on heavy metal contents (Ni, Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Pb, Cd) in fruiting bodies of 15 species of wild fungi

Abstract

Many mushroom species from the Kichevo valley (Republic of Macedonia) are consumed by the native human population regardless of the heavy metal content and uptake in the human body. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the thermal power plant Oslomej on the extent of heavy metal accumulation in the fruiting bodies of selected fungi. The material of fruiting bodies of 15 species of wild fungi and soil samples were collected from 11 localities at three distances (0.5–0.75, 2.5–3.5, and 6–8 km, respectively) from the thermal power plant Oslomej in the period April 2012 to May 2014. We analyzed the content of seven heavy metals (Ni, Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Cd, and Pb) by atomic absorption spectroscopy in the fruiting bodies that were not rinsed before drying. Significant correlation between the distance and content of certain heavy metals was found in 10 fungal species, especially in the cases of Ni and Cu and less in the cases of Cd, Pb, and Fe. Such correlations between heavy metal content in soils (total and extractable) and fruiting bodies were found mostly in the cases of Mn, Zn, Fe, Cd, and Cu. Also, the canonical discriminant analysis showed the impact of thermal power plant Oslomej on heavy metal patterns in Boletus aestivalis, Russula cyanoxantha, Cantharellus cibarius, and Hypholoma fasciculare. It can be concluded that both the pollution from the thermal power plant Oslomej and soil composition determine heavy metal content in the fruiting bodies of wild fungi.