Concentrations of nutrient elements and microelements in the needles of Abies alba Mill. as an environmental indicator in the Carpathian Mts.

2001

S. 229-240

5 Abb., 6 Tab., 17 Lit. Ang.

Unselbständiges Werk

200087238

Concentrations of Al, As, Ba, Be, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, F, Fe, Hg, K, Li, Mg, Mn, N, Na, Ni, Pb, Rb, S, Se, Sr, V and Zn were measured in the previous-year growth (2-year old) needles of white fir (Abies alba Mill.) fro mthe Carpathian Mountains. Evaluation of metal concentrations in needles was discussed in relation to pollution of forest environment with heavy metals and limit (critical) values of the studied metals for plants. The highest values of the studied elements were found in the Slovak part of the Carpathian Mountains in the vicinity of industrial sources. The highest values of Al, Ba, Cd, Cr, F, K, Mg were found near the Thermal Power Plant ENO Zemianske Kostol'any and the Aluminium Plant in Ziar nad Hronom. The highest concentrations of Cu, Fe, Hg, Zn were determined in the localities influenced by a non-ferrous metallurgic plant in Krompachy and a mercury processing plant in Rudnany. High concentrations of As, Fe, Mn, S, and V occurred in the vicinity of ferrous metallurgic plants in Podbrezová and Kosice. Elevated above normal concentration of Be, Cr, Na, Ni and Pb in fir reflect regional pollution of the environment with these elements. Elevated concentrations of Co, Se and Li, in the absence of Slovak sources of these elements, indicate the effect of a long-range transport from the heavily polluted areas in Poland and the Czech Republic. Liming of the pollution-weakened forest stands was a probable reason for increased concentrations of Ca in fir needles. This study proves that fir needles can be used as bioindicators of environmental contamination with heaby metals.