The influence of the environmental factors on the accumulation patterns of toxic elements in Plantago lanceolata sampled in the area under strong anthropopressure
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Date
2024
Authors
Jordanović, Jelena
Šerbula, Snežana
Marković, Mirjana
Radojević, Ana
Kalinović, Jelena
Kalinović, Tanja
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Elsevier Ltd.
Source
Process Safety and Environmental Protection
Volume
183
Issue
Abstract
The study aims to explore the environmental factors which activate accumulation abilities of Plantago lanceolata in the research area under strong anthropopressure resulting from the long-term pollution originating from copper mining-metallurgical activities in Southeastern Europe. Sampling was performed at the most endangered sites regarding its proximity to the major and/or secondary pollution sources, as well at the control site. The content of toxic elements (Al, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) was determined in the roots, leaves, stalks and flowers of P. lanceolata. The anthropogenic origin of environmental contamination was denoted through the high concentrations of Cu, Pb and Zn in the leaves of P. lanceolata, reaching toxic levels, combined with the enrichment of plant parts (Enrichment factor >2), especially with Cu (as well as with Al, Fe, Ni and Zn) in samples from the immediate proximity to the copper smelter or at the prevailing wind directions. Biomonitoring potential, assessed through the correlations between toxic element content, as well as the values of Enrichment factor, was indicated for roots (in the case of Cu), all the aboveground plant parts (Fe) and stalks (Zn). The results have shown that the contents of toxic elements in plant parts as well as phytoremediation of P. lanceolata were dependent on soil element content, soil physico-chemical properties and soil enzyme activities, which were regarded as the main environmental drivers affecting phytoremediation ability. The analysis of biological factors (bioconcentration, translocation and bioaccumulation factor) indicated exclusion strategy and possible usage of P. lanceolata in phytostabilization of Zn. The results indicated that the study area is ’environmental hotspot’ with potential threat to human health due to the high levels of bioaccumulation of the investigated toxic elements in P. lanceolata parts.
Description
Keywords
Copper smelter, Anthropopressure, Phytotechnologies, Biological factors, Biomonitoring
Citation
DOI
10.1016/j.psep.2024.01.062
Scopus
ISSN
1744-3598
ISBN
License
ARR