Bioaccumulation of Cr, Zn, Pb and Cu in Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. and Erigeron canadensis L.

Abstract

The city of Dnipro, a prominent industrial hub in Ukraine, is recognized for its particularly its significant industrial development. This study focused on two prevalent plant species, Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. and Erigeron canadensis L., within the vicinity. Sampling was conducted at points located 12.02 km away from the emission sources associated with battery production and recycling plants in Dnipro. Analysis of heavy metal concentrations such as, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn was conducted using atomic emission spectrometry from the soil and plants tissues of Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. and Erigeron canadensis L. The translocation coefficient (TF) was calculated for both plant species. The results revealed that Cu and Zn exhibited the highest bioaccumulation in the examined plants, whereas Pb demonstrated the lowest. The order of metal uptake by both plants was determined as Cu > Zn > Cr > Pb. Significantly higher concentrations of these metals were observed in the two studied plants compared to the soil (Ftheor < Fexp, p < 0.05), suggesting the bioavailability of metals for these plants. The translocation coefficient (TF) represented the ratio of metal concentration in the shoot/the root. The TF value of Erigeron canadensis L. exceeded 1 for four metals. On the other hand, the TF value of Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. surpassed 1 for Cr, Cu, and Zn. Consequently, both species emerge as potential phytoremediators for soils contaminated with these studied metals.