Agnieszka Parzych

PINE NEEDLES (PINUS SYLVESTRIS L.) AS BIOINDICATORS IN THE ASSESSMENT OF URBAN ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION WITH HEAVY METALS

The studies on Zn, Pb and Mn content in the needles of Pinus silvestris and the surface layers of soil (0.0–0.2 m and 0.4–0.6 m) were conducted in 2010. The research stations covered residential areas, municipal parks, neighborhoods of busy streets, industrial establishments, waste dump sites and sewage treatment plants. The tests showed variability of the analyzed elements in the needles of P.silvestris and in municipal soils, depending on concentration of urban and industrial activity, road traffic and the depth of the examined layer of soil. The content of heavy metals in soil varied. Zn was characterized by the highest variability, depending on the depth (50.3–52.4%), Mn slightly lower (38.5–42.2%), and Pb, the lowest (29.1–33.2%). It was evidenced that the values of the heavy metals enrichment factors of the needles are closely connected with concentration of the examined metals in the soil. Along with the rise of Zn, Mn and Pb content in the soil, the values of enrichment factors decreased. The strongest negative correlations were found in the case of Zn, both in 1-year old needles (r = -0.82, p<0.05), as well as in 2-years’ old ones (r = -0.83, p<0.05), slightly weaker in the cases of lead and manganese.

The Ability of Leaves and Rhizomes of Aquatic Plants to Accumulate Macro- and Micronutrients

The samples of macrophytes and bottom sediments originated from the littoral zone of the Słupia River were collected in summer 2013. The aim of this study was to compare the properties of the accumulation of leaves and rhizomes of Glyceria maxima, Phragmites australis, Typha latifolia and Phalaris arundinacea for macroand micronutrients. The largest quantities of macroelements were found in the leaves of the examined species, and microelements dominated the rhizomes of most examined macrophytes except for Mn in P.australis and T.latifolia. The obtained results show that N and K dominated in the leaves of P.arundinacea, P and Mg in the leaves of P.australis, and Ca in the leaves of G.maxima. The largest quantities of N, P and K were cumulated in the rhizomes of P.arundinacea, while Mg and Ca in the rhizome of T.latifolia. The leaves of aquatic plants accumulated from 1354.9 mmolc·kg -1 (T.latifolia) to 1844.0 mmolc·kg -1 (P.arundinacea), and rhizomes from 985.8 mmolc·kg -1 (G.maxima) to 1335.2 mmolc·kg -1 (P.arundinacea) of all the analyzed components. In these species of macrophytes lower accumulated value of the sum of macroand microelements were found in the rhizomes. The share of nitrogen was 42.4–59.8% of this amount, phosphorus 4.3–8.6%, potassium 22.8–35.1%, calcium from 2,6% to 12.4%, magnesium 3.0–7.5%, and heavy metals were from 0.6% (G.maxima) to 1.2% (T.latifolia) in leaves and from 2.2% (T.latifolia) to 8.7% (G.maxima) in rhizomes.

Content of Heavy Metals in Needles of Scots Pine (Pinus Sylvestris L.) in Selected Pine Forests in Słowiński National Park

Abstract The paper presents the results of study on heavy metals in needles of Pinus sylvestris in selected pine forests in Słowiński National Park. It was evidenced that heavy metal contents (Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe) in needles of Pinus sylvestris varied depending on the metal, the age of the needles and the humidity of a forest complex. Variation coefficients of such metals remained at the level of: 13-30% (Zn), 3-6% (Cu), 13-34% (Mn) and 12-30% (Fe) depending on the age of the needles. In the case of Zn, Mn and Fe higher concentrations of researched metal were found in the 2-year-old needles than in 1 year old needles, and in the case of Cu in 1 year old needles than in 2-year-old needles. The increase of zinc concentration found in 1-year-old needles after rainfall sums was (Bw, r = 0.67, p < 0.05, n = 24) and (Bśw, r = 0.39, p < 0.05, n = 24) in 2-year-old needles. The content of the above mentioned metals in needles of dry coniferous forests (Bs), fresh coniferous forests (Bśw) and humid coniferous forests (Bw) of the ground cover constitute the following decreasing series: Mn(323.8) > Fe(103.4) > Zn(65.5) > Cu(5.9). ZAWARTOŚĆ METALI CIĘŻKICH W SZPILKACH SOSNY ZWYCZAJNEJ (Pinus sylvestris L.) W WYBRANYCH BORACH SOSNOWYCH SŁOWIŃSKIEGO PARKU NARODOWEGO Praca przedstawia wyniki badań nad zawartością metali ciężkich w szpilkach Pinus sylvestris wybranych borów sosnowych Słowińskiego Parku Narodowego. Wykazano, iż zawartości metali ciężkich (Zn, Cu, Mn i Fe) w igliwiu były zróżnicowane w zależności od metalu, wieku igliwia oraz wilgotności ekosystemu leśnego. Współczynniki zmienności tych metali utrzymywały się na poziomie: 13-30% (Zn), 3-6% (Cu), 13-34% (Mn) oraz od 12-30% (Fe) w zależności od wieku igliwia. W przypadku Zn, Mn i Fe stwierdzono większe stężenia badanego metalu w igliwiu 2-letnim, niż 1-rocznym, a w przypadku Cu w igliwiu 1-rocznym niż 2-letnim. Wykazano między innymi wzrost koncentracji cynku w igliwiu 1-rocznym (Bw, r = 0,67, p < 0,05, n = 24) oraz igliwiu 2-letnim (Bśw, r = 0,39, p < 0,05, n = 24) wraz ze wzrostem sumy opadów deszczu. Zawartości powyższych metali w igliwiu boru suchego (Bs), boru świeżego (Bśw) i boru wilgotnego (Bw) tworzą następujący szereg malejący: Mn(323,8) > Fe(103,4) > Zn(65,5) > Cu(5,9).

Preliminary research of heavy metals content in aquatic plants taken from surface water (Northern Poland)

AbstractThe examinations of the aquatic plants of the Slupia River were performed in summer 2013 at the research stations situated within the limits of the city of Slupsk. The aim of the research was to evaluate the content of Zn, Fe, Mn, Ni, and Cu in leaves and rhizomes Glyceria maxima, Phragmites australis, Typha latifolia, and Phalaris arundinacea and to compare their cumulative properties in the context of selected heavy metals. The content of Zn, Cu, Ni, Mn, and Fe in the sprouts of the aquatic plants showed substantial diversity depending on the species and of sprouts. The tested plants accumulated heavy metals mainly in rhizomes, except for manganese, which, in the case of P. australis and T. latifolia appeared in larger quantities in the leaves. It was demonstrated that T. latifolia mostly cumulated Zn and Ni, and G. maxima Mn and Fe. The relationships among the content of the determined heavy metals in the sprouts of macrophytes was identical for all tested species and could be arranged into the...

The macro- and microelemental content of Pinus sylvestris L. and Pinus nigra J.F. Am. needles in Cladonio-Pinetum habitat of the Słowiński National Park

Abstract The study of pine needles was carried out in 2005 within the confines of the Słowiński National Park (SNP). In soil from Cladonio-Pinetum habitat, most macro- and microelements accumulate in the organic sub-horizons (Ol and Ofh), however the nutrient content of the mineral horizons was very low. Needles of Pinus sylvestris (Ps) were characterized by higher content ofN, P, K, Ca, and Fe in comparison to needles of Pinus nigra (Pn); whereas needles of Pn were higher in content of Mg, Zn, Cu and Mn than those of Ps. Two-year-old needles contained on average more Ca, Mn, Cu, Fe then one-year-old needles for both species. A Mann Whitney test confirmed statistically-significant differences in the dynamics of P, K, Mg, Zn and Mn concentrations both in 1-year-old and 2-year-old needles examined in Cladonio-Pinetum. The greatest differences between research forests stands of Pinus sylvestris and Pinus nigra were in the sum contents of elements accumulated in the needles. In the needles of Pinus nigra there was notably higher accumulation of P, K, Ca, Mg and Mn than in the needles of Pinus sylvestris.

Evaluation of urban environment pollution based on the accumulation of macro- and trace elements in epiphytic lichens

ABSTRACT Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, zinc, nickel, copper, manganese, iron and lead accumulation properties of three epiphytic lichen species (Hypogymnia physodes (L.) Nyl., Parmelia sulcata Taylor and Xanthoria parietina (L.) Th. Fr.) were compared. An assessment of pollution of the municipal environment in Słupsk (Poland) according to macro- and trace elements was also done. Lichen samples were taken in Autumn 2013 from Betula pendula, Fraxinus excelsior, Acer platanoides, A. pseudoplatanus and Populus sp. trees. Sampling stations comprised of house development areas, green urban parks, vicinity of streets with heavy traffic and industrial enterprises. It was found that lichens represent diverse accumulation properties to pollutants according to the species. X. parietina indicated the highest bioaccumulation in relation to N, K, Mg, Zn and Fe, the thalli of H. physodes accumulated the largest amounts of Ni and Pb, while P. sulcata P and Cu. Manganese was accumulated in similar quantities by all species. Evidences acquired by the use of factor analysis proved that pollution in Słupsk municipal environment is a serious issue with three major sources domination: street dust, marine factor and residual oil combustion. The high-risk areas were detected and visualized using surface maps based on Kriging algorithm. It was seen that the highest pollution occurs in the town centre, while the smallest happened on its outskirts and in urban parks.

ACCUMULATION OF CHEMICAL ELEMENTS BY ORGANS OF SPARGANIUM ERECTUM L. AND THEIR POTENTIAL USE IN PHYTOREMEDIATION PROCESS

The study of bottom sediments and organs of Sparganium erectum carried out in the summer of 2014 in the city of Lebork, located in Northern Poland. The aim of this study was to evaluate the content of macroelements and heavy metals in the leaves, rhizomes and roots S. erectum and in bottom sediments of the Łeba River as well as comparison of accumulation and translocation factors of N, P, K, Mg, Ca, Zn, Ni, Cu, Mn, Fe, Cd and Cr in researched organs of aquatic plant. The use of S. erectum for biomonitoring and phytoremediation has also been considered. The results of Mann Whitney U test showed a number of statistically significant differences in the content of chemical elements in the leaves, rhizomes, roots and in bottom sediments. The macroelements are mainly accumulated in leaves and heavy metals are accumulated in roots and rhizomes of S. erectum. Increased Mn and Fe content in roots and rhizomes of S. erectum, in relation this physiological needs, refers to the beneficial effects of this species in the water treatment and sludge from the bottom sediment of manganese and iron compounds. The obtained bioconcentration and translocation factors values allowed to state that S. erectum can be used for phytoremediation of contaminated bottom sediments because retains metals in their roots and limit Mn and Fe mobility from roots and rhizomes to leaves once absorbed by roots of plant.

Dynamics of Cu, Mn, Ni, Sr and Zn release during decomposition of four types of litter in headwater riparian forests in northern Poland

Abstract The aim of the study was to compare the dynamics of Cu, Mn, Ni, Sr and Zn release during decomposition of leaves of Black alder (native material), Norway maple, Red oak and European beech (exogenous material) in the area of headwater riparian forests along the upper course of the Kamienna Creek (Northern Poland). Litter bag method was used in the experiment. Initial materials differed in terms of their chemical composition. Cu, Mn, Ni, Sr and Zn contents were low in general, and in fact, even a few times lower than limit values for decomposition rate. Different trends in the dynamics of the leaf metal content during decomposition were observed in particular tree species despite the fact, that every materials were exposed in the same site. Release dynamics was strongly affected by the content of metals in initial materials and in topsoil. Accumulation of Cu, Mn and Zn was observed during decomposition of poorest in the elements maple leaves, as well as Ni in alder leaves and Sr in the leaves of maple, alder and oak. In beech leaves we observed intensive leaching of Ni, whereas downward trends in the Cu concentration of beech leaves, as well as Mn and Zn in beech and oak leaves, were related to weight loss of the leaves. In some cases, the dynamics of metal release displayed a more complicated two- or three-stage character (release of Ni from maple and oak leaves; Cu from maple leaves; Sr from alder, maple and oak leaves; and Zn from alder and maple leaves).

The Content of Heavy Metals in the Soil and Litterfall an a Beech-Pine-Spruce Stand in Northern Poland

Abstract The concentrations of Cu, Mn, Ni and Zn in the soil and litterfall, as well as influx of the elements to the soils with litterfall were studied in a mixed beech-pine-spruce stand in northern Poland during the years 2007–2009. Annual influx of litterfall to the soil amounted from 3.234 to 4.871 t/ha. Beech, pine and spruce litterfall contributed in total litterfall in 50.8−70.1%, 11.4−11.9% and 1.6−24.0% respectively. The following average annual concentrations of heavy metals in total litterfall during the 3-year study period were noticed: 2469.3–3469.2 mg Mn/kg, 153.6–160.8 mg/kg Zn, 8.0–14.3 mg Ni/kg and 5.0–6.8 mg Cu/kg. In general, the concentrations of Mn and Cu were higher in beech litterfall in comparison to pine and spruce. The contents of Zn and Ni in beech, pine and spruce litterfall were comparable. Annual influx of metals to the soil with litterfall was: 10341.6–14422.4 g/ha Mn, 460.3–748.1 g/ha Zn, 37.4–66.6 g/ha Ni and 20.2–31.8 g/ha Cu. The fluxes were higher for Mn, Zn and Ni, and comparable for Cu in relation to those observed in other beech, pine, spruce and mixed stands in northern Europe.

Prognosis Content of Heavy Metals in Soil and Herbaceous Plants in Selected Pine Forests in the Słowiński National Park

Abstract This paper presents the results of study on heavy metals in soil and in herbaceous plants in selected pine forests in Słowiński National Park. The heavy metals, such as Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe were studied. Concentrations of zinc in tested soil are strongly and very strongly related to manganese and copper content (r = 0.57 do r = 0.98, p < 0.05). Moreover, the soil moistening has vital impact on copper content in the plants of the ground cover. It was also found that moss in comparison to other forest plants captures higher volume of zinc and copper. The content of the above mentioned metals in the plants of dry coniferous forests (Bs), fresh coniferous forests (Bśw) and humid coniferous forests (Bw) of the ground cover constitute the following decreasing series: Mn(438.1) > Fe(98.6) > Zn(35.2) > Cu(3.5).