Abstract

The objective of this study is to determine the level of heavy metals (As, Cr, Ni, and Pb) in the soil, as well as their bioaccumulation in different parts of Erigeron annuus L. (krasolika) plants, in the Maljen mountain area. Soil samples were taken from three locations, and the experimental part of the study was conducted through vegetation trials. The content of each element was separately determined in different parts of the plant (root, stem, and flower) in correlation with the element content in soil samples. The concentration of heavy metals was determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry.

The examined heavy metal content in soil samples exceeded the maximum allowed amount, indicating that all analyzed sites belong to the category of contaminated soil. Furthermore, the degree of accumulation of the monitored elements in different parts of the plant varied. The highest concentrations were recorded in the stem and flower, specifically for Cd (0.785mg/L) and Co (0.805mg/L).

Pearson’s product-moment correlation coefficient was used for statistical analysis of the results. The results on heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Ni, Co, and Cr) show that there is a positive correlation between soil samples, roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits of krasolika grown in contaminated soil. The calculated significance level (marked as Sig. 2-tailed) suggests that the correlations calculated are statistically significant (p > 0.05). The data show that Erigeron annuus L. grown in contaminated soil exhibits phytoremediation potential significant for Ni, Cr, Cd, Cu, and Pb. The accumulation of heavy metals in plants depends not only on the total content in the soil but also on the plant’s affinity and individual or interactive effects of various soil properties.

Keywords: Contaminated soil; Erigeron annuus L; Heavy metals; Bioaccumulation; Atomic absorption spectrophotometry