Trace elements in Polytrichum commune and Polytrichastrum formosum from the Karkonosze Mountains (SW Poland).

The Karkonosze National Park, an unique mountainous biosphere reserve, is influenced by long-distance anthropogenic atmospheric transport of among others trace elements and additionally by local tourist centres, which may be supplementary sources of pollution. Discharged trace elements are non-degradable, and their level must be precisely monitored. Therefore, the concentrations of As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Rb and Zn in Polytrichum commune and Polytrichastrum formosum collected from the Karkonosze sites influenced only by long-range pollution and from sites in the vicinity of local tourist centres were established. P. commune and P. formosum revealed the ability to accumulate higher concentrations of trace elements while growing in locally contaminated sites in comparison with sites free from such pollution. Therefore, both species may be utilised for bioindication in the Karkonosze National Park. Elevated levels of trace elements in both species (except for Hg) in comparison with concentrations typical for mosses from unpolluted sites point to the existence of pollution of this area. P. commune was a better bioindicator of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mo, Ni, Pb and Rb than P. formosum, probably because of the larger gametophytes and its morphology, which appears prone to an increased uptake of trace elements from the atmosphere.

Trace metal concentrations and their transfer from sediment to leaves of four common aquatic macrophytes.

In the present study, the concentrations of trace and alkali metals in leaves of four common helophytes, Sparganium erectum, Glyceria maxima, Phalaris arundinacea, and Phragmites australis, as well as in corresponding water and bottom sediments were investigated to ascertain plant bioaccumulation ability. Results showed that Mn and Fe were the most abundant trace metals in all plant species, while Co and Pb contents were the lowest. Leaves of species studied differed significantly in respect of element concentrations. The highest concentrations of Mg, Na, Fe, Mn, Cu, Pb, and Ni were noted in S. erectum while the highest contents of Co, Ca, Zn, and Cr in Phalaris arundinacea. Phragmites australis contained the lowest amounts of most elements. Concentrations of Co, Cr, Fe, and Mn in all species studied and Ni in all except for Phragmites australis were higher than natural for hydrophytes. The leaves/sediment ratio was more than unity for all alkali metals as well as for Cu and Mn in Phragmites australis; Cr, Co, and Zn in Phalaris arundinacea; Cr and Mn in S. erectum; and Cr in G. maxima. High enrichment factors and high levels of toxic metals in the species studied indicated a special ability of these plants to absorb and store certain non-essential metals and, consequently, their potential for phytoremediation of contaminated aquatic ecosystems.

Chromium and nickel in Pteridium aquilinum from environments with various levels of these metals.

Pteridium aquilinum is a ubiquitous species considered to be one of the plants most resistant to metals. This fern meets the demands for a good bioindicator to improve environmental control. Therefore, it was of interest to survey the accumulation of Cr and Ni in the rhizome and fronds of this species collected in Lower Silesia (SW Poland) of serpentinite rich in Cr and Ni and granite poor in these metals. Additionally, concentrations of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn were measured in granite and serpentinite parent rocks, soils, and in P. aquilinum (rhizome and fronds). The experiment was carried out with rhizomes of ferns from both types of soils placed in pots supplemented with 50, 100, and 250 mg kg(-1) of Cr or Ni or both elements together. At a concentration of 250 mg kg(-1) of Cr, Ni, or Cr + Ni, fronds (from granite or serpentinite origin) contained significantly higher Cr and Ni concentrations when both metals were supplied together. In the same concentration of 250 mg kg(-1) of Cr, Ni, or Cr + Ni, rhizomes (from granite or serpentinite origin) contained significantly higher Cr and Ni concentrations when both metals were supplied separately. The explanation of metal differences in the joint accumulation of Cr and Ni on the rhizome or frond level needs further investigation. The lack of difference in Cr and Ni concentration in the rhizome and fronds between experimental P. aquilinum collected from granite and serpentinite soils may probably indicate that the phenotypic plasticity of this species is very important in the adaptation to extreme environments.