Concentration and translocation of trace metals in Solidago gigantea in urban areas: a potential bioindicator

Abstract

Invasive species usually grow in human-disturbed habitats including urban areas where they face numerous pollutants, including metals that attract special attention due to their non-degradability and high accumulation potential. In this study we evaluated the contents of potentially toxic metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) in the invasive species Solidago gigantea. The strategy adopted by S. gigantea in response to excess trace metals in the soil was assessed. Metal contents were determined using atomic absorption spectrometry in leaves, stems and roots of S. gigantea collected from 30 sites located in areas affected by various human activities. Metal concentrations (total and bioavailable fraction) were also determined in corresponding soil samples. Results showed that S. gigantea was able to inhabit strongly polluted sites. High Bioaccumulation Factor but low Translocation Factor values for Cd, Cu, Cr, Fe, Ni show that S. gigantea takes up metals from soil but reduces their transport to the aboveground parts and could be classified as a metal-tolerant species with exclusion strategy. The Bioaccumulation Factor values for Cd, Cu, Cr, Pb and Zn were remarkably higher in plants growing in areas characterized by low metal concentrations in soil compared to the ones affected by industry, with high metal concentrations. This suggests that S. gigantea that grows in polluted areas can reduce the uptake of potentially toxic metals. Regardless of the limited transport of metals to the aboveground organs, the content of metals in S. gigantea leaves differed between areas differing in human impact and the species can be used as a biomonitor.

Element Cycling at Thermally Active Coal-Waste Dumps: A Case Study of Calamagrostis epigejos and Solidago canadensis

“…This is confirmed by numerous previous studies presenting the type of Solidago as a Pb, Zn, Cu, and Cr bioaccumulator in polluted areas [45,64]. Solidago has interesting biogeochemical features expected in species used in environmental management-it can be a phytostabilizer in heavily contaminated soils [65]. The areas subject to fires are characterized by favorable soil and water conditions.…”

Assessing the deposition of heavy metals in edaphotopes and synantrophy vegetation under the conditions of technological pollution of the city

“…In contrast to studies [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8], which considered only the adsorption and permeability of heavy metals in aboveground vegetative organs of plants, our results make it possible to more accurately assess the combined effect of pollutants from various sources and identify the most dangerous areas of the city. As well as determine the possibilities of phytoindicative use of the plant Polygonum aviculare L. in ecological monitoring of the anthropogenic transformation of the ecotopes of the city.…”

“…In [8], the bioaccumulation capacity of the invasive species Solidago gigantea in relation to toxic metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) was investigated. 30 sites with varying degrees of anthropogenic influence were selected for the study.…”

Impact of Invasive Plant Species on Ecosystems, Biodiversity Loss and Their Potential Industrial Applications

“…(Göswein et al, 2021) while in forests they slows down the natural regeneration (Dyderski and Jagodziński, 2020). Invasive species do not encounter problems in growing in urban areas (Park et al, 2021, Dambiec et al, 2022, spreading easily through the inner rivers (Wagner et al, 2020), the anthropogenic pressure accentuating their spread (El-Barougy et al, 2021, Park et al, 2021, Zhang et al, 2022, and increased resistance to drought and temperature variation (Park et al, 2021).…”