A comparative research on the impact of organic meliorants on the uptake of heavy metals, micro and macroelements and phytoremediation potential of enhanced tobacco NBCu 10-8F3 has been carried out. The soil used in this experiment was sampled from the vicinity of the Non-Ferrous-Metal Works near Plovdiv, Bulgaria. The pot experiment was a randomized complete block design containing nine treatments and three replications (27 pots). The treatments consisted of a control (no organic meliorants) and compost and vermicompost meliorants (added at 5%, 10%, 15% and 30%, recalculated based on dry soil weight). Upon reaching commercial ripeness, the tobacco plants were gathered. Heavy metals, micro and macroelement contents in roots, stems and leaves of tobacco were analyzed by the method of the microwave mineralization. To determine the elements in the samples, inductively coupled emission spectrometry (Jobin Yvon Emission-JY 38 S, France) was used. The distribution of the heavy metals, micro and macroelements in the organs of the enhanced tobacco has a selective character and depended above all on the parts of the plants and the element that was examined. Pb, Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, P and Mg distribution in tobacco decreases in the following order: roots > leaves> stems, and for Cd, K, and Ca-leaves >roots> stems. The high concentration of Cd in the leaves and the high translocation factor indicate the possibility of enhanced tobacco to be used in phytoextraction. Tested organic amendments significantly influenced the uptake of heavy metals, micro and macroelements by the roots, stems and leaves of tobacco. A correlation was found between the quantity of the mobile forms and the uptake of Pb, Zn and Cd by the enhanced tobacco. The compost and vermicompost treatments significantly reduced heavy metals concentration in leaves and increased uptake of K, Ca and Mg. The 30% compost and 30% vermicompost treatments led to the maximal reduction of heavy metals in enhanced tobacco NBCu 10-8F3. The addition of compost and vermicompost further reduces the ability to digest the heavy metals in the leaves, and phytoremediation potential of enhanced tobacco NBCu 10-8F3.

Comparative research has been conducted to allow us to determine the content of heavy metals and chemical composition of Salvia officinalis L oils, as well as to identify the possibility of Salvia officinalis L. growth on soils contaminated by heavy metals. The experimental plots were situated at different distances of 0.5 km and 15 km, respectively, from the source of pollution the Non-Ferrous-Metal Works (MFMW) near Plovdiv, Bulgaria. On reaching flowering stage the Salvia officinalis L plants were gathered. The content of heavy metals in different parts of Salvia officinalis L. (roots, stems, leaves and inflorescences) was determined by ICP. The essential oil of the Salvia officinalis L. was obtained by steam distillation in laboratory conditions which was analyzed for heavy metals and its chemical composition was determined. Salvia officinalis L. is a plant which is tolerant to heavy metals and can be grown on contaminated soils. Favorable is also the fact that heavy metals do not influence the development of the Salvia officinalis L. as well as on the quality and quantity of the essential oil. Twenty-nine components were identified in the oil.