Comparative study of the accumulation of metals in the plant Polygonum aviculare L. from different sites in the city of Kragujevac

Abstract

Summary. Weedy and ruderal plants can be used in studies of metal pollution of soil, water and air as well as monitoring human mediated degradation of ecosystems. The present study assesses metal concentrations (Fe, Mn, Cu and Ni) in the aboveground parts of Polygonum aviculare L. (Polygonaceae) in relation to traffic intensity, human population density and industrial emissions in an area of the city of Kragujevac. To evaluate the bioindicative ability of P. aviculare, we chose 5 groups of sites: urban, suburban, rural, industrial and roadside. Mean concentrations of metals in P. aviculare were ranked from highest to lowest as follows: Fe > Mn > Cu > Ni. The mean content of Fe and Cu were above toxic concentration limits, while concentrations of Mn and Ni were within the non-toxic range. Compared to other studies conducted with P. aviculare, we found higher concentrations of metals, which could be due to our later period of sampling (October). The highest concentrations of Fe, Mn, Cu and Ni were recorded in urban sites, followed by roadside sites. Industrial sites significantly impacted Cu content; although concentrations of Ni were very low at these sites. The lowest concentrations of metals were recorded at rural sites. Statistical analysis revealed significant difference among the sites for Ni, Fe and Mn content. Results from the present study demonstrate that P. aviculare possesses differential accumulation ability for these selected metals, and may be useful in remediation projects for reducing the toxicity of Fe and Cu in the environment. Moreover, this species can be used as a bioindicator of metal pollution and contamination in anthropogenic ecosystems.