Trace metal contents ofTaraxacum officinale (dandelion) as a convenient environmental indicator
- 1 June 1991
- journal article
- Published by Springer Nature in Environmental Geochemistry and Health
- Vol. 13 (2) , 108-113
- https://doi.org/10.1007/bf01734301
Abstract
Some vascular plants are known to concentrate trace metals and are regarded to be suitable indicators of atmospheric metal deposition. Among plant species used for biogeochemical studies dandelion (Taraxacum officinale.) is convenient for monitoring air/soil pollution. The plant commonly occurs in different ecosystems with relatively parallel stages of ontogenesis over a broad area of geographical regions. Its leaves and roots are easily accessible for sampling. Leaf to root ratios of metal concentrations in dandelion may indicate the source of metals during the growing season. Trace metals in leaves and roots of dandelion from 132 sites in Poland showed higher concentrations in the plants from the SW region compared to those from the NE region of the country. However, the differences were only statistically significant (α = 0.05) for Cd, Ni, and Pb. Geometric means of metal concentrations (mg kg−1, air dried weight) in dandelion leaves of the SW and NE regions were: Cd 0.85, 0.52; Cr 0.99, 0.81; Cu 11.2, 11.1; Fe 184.4, 100.0; Mn 59.7, 51.4; Ni 2.1, 1.5; Pb 4.4, 3.0; and Zn 49.6, 41.3, respectively. Markedly higher concentrations of Cd, Pb, and Zn were found in the leaves of the dandelion over roots in the SW region. These metals are the most serious aerial pollutants in that part of the country.Keywords
This publication has 7 references indexed in Scilit:
- Use of Polytrichum formosum (moss) as a passive biomonitor for heavy metal pollution (cadmium, copper, lead and zinc)Science of The Total Environment, 1989
- Baseline zinc content of soils and plants in PolandEnvironmental Geochemistry and Health, 1989
- Biogeochemical studies of plants from stream banks in Northern SwedenJournal of Geochemical Exploration, 1987
- Bromine, copper, manganese and lead content of the leaves of Taraxacum officinale (dandelion)Science of The Total Environment, 1986
- Baseline Elemental Concentrations for Big Sagebrush from Western U.S.A.Journal of Range Management, 1983
- Predicting Native Plant Copper, Iron, Manganese, and Zinc Levels Using DTPA and EDTA Soil Extractants, Northern Great PlainsSoil Science Society of America Journal, 1980
- The U.S. geological survey rass-statpac system for management and statistical reduction of geochemical dataComputers & Geosciences, 1977