Survey of Heavy Metal Deposition at the Schulterberg (Achenkirch Altitude Profiles) by Using Basidiomycetes as Bioindicators

1996

27 Lit. Ang.

Unselbständiges Werk

5943

200052104

In the course of an interdisciplinary study on the Schulterberg in Achenkirch (Tyrol, Austria) fleshy fruitbodies of 33 basidiomycetes species were collected, and their heavy metal concentrations (Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn) measured. The measured lead concentrations (range: 0.1-232 Myg/g dry weight, median: 10 Myg/g dw) were much higher than those reported from other investigations. The basidiomatal stipes showed the highest absorption of lead, i.e. a 2 to 8-fold increase of lead compared to the extractable soil content. The cadmium values varied between 0.1 and 85 Myg/g dw (median 4.8 Myg/g dw) and were remarkably high for alpine areas. Moreover this element was accumulated by the basidiomatal caps by the factor 10-35. Zinc levels (2- 385 Myg/g dw) seemed to be normal, this element was also enriched in the caps by factors between 15 and 20. Compared to soil copper is accumulated in the caps to a very high degree (700 fold). It is, however - compared to other results - still a relatively very low amount (1-121 Myg/g dw). Furthermore, different taxa were examined for their use as bioindicators. The results suggest that some species of the genus Cortinarius could be suitable for the bioindication of cadmium, zinc and copper. The specific accumulation patterns of the different taxa are still unclear. More detailed information about the constancy of their accumulation behaviour is required.