Relationships between Heavy Metal Concentrations in Greater Celandine (Chelidonium majus L.) Tissues and Soil in Urban Parks

Abstract

Anthropogenic ecological ecosystems create favourable conditions for the growth of the nitrophilous medicinal species Chelidonium majus in six urban parks in Southern Poland. This study focuses on the concentrations of trace elements in the soils, leaves, stems, and rhizomes of greater celandine. The soil samples were taken only in the humus horizon (A), which averaged approximately 15 cm in thickness under the clumps of Ch. majus. Regarding the reaction, the soil samples tested can be described as slightly acidic (5.6–6.8 in KCl) to alkaline (7.1–7.4 in H2O). Organic carbon content at all sites is high, ranging from 3.2% to 13.6%, while the highest total nitrogen (Nt) content is 0.664%. The average total phosphorus (Pt) content in all samples is 548.8 mg/kg (and its range is 298–940 mg/kg), such values indicating its anthropogenic origin. In terms of heavy metals, Zn has the highest content in the analysed soil samples compared to the other elements, and its range is from 394.50 mg/kg to 1363.80 mg/kg in soil. In rhizomes, Zn also has the highest values (178.7–408.3 mg/kg), whereas, in stems and leaves, it varies (from 80.6 to 227.5 and from 57.8 to 297.4 mg/kg, respectively). Spearman’s rank correlation showed high correlations between the content of Pb, Zn, Cd, and As in the soil and rhizomes of Ch. majus. Despite soil contamination with Pb, Cd, and Zn, Ch. majus does not accumulate them in its tissues. However, the translocation of Hg and Cr from rhizomes to leaves was observed. The different concentrations of metals in each park result from the degree of diversity of the parent rocks on which the soil was formed.

The Natural Consequences of Land Use Change on Transformation and Vegetation Development in the Upper Odra Floodplain

“…As a result of the construction of various hydrotechnical structures, the natural dynamics of the riverbed have been disturbed and strongly varied [14]. Most of the hydrotechnical works, including straightening the riverbed with concreting, the artificial construction of embankments and floodplain meliorations, have resulted in a complete transformation of the alluvial willow, alder, ash and other wetland vegetation ecosystems and their replacement by other anthropogenic plant associations [15][16][17]. The most invasive alien species that form multi-layered communities along the riverbed and floodplain of the Odra River are the Asian species Reynoutria japonica and R. sachalinensis [18], which are geographically alien to this region and willingly occupy similar habitats.…”