Assessment of trace element accumulation potential of Noccaea kovatsii from ultramafics of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia

Abstract

In this work, we present the results of the investigation of trace elements (Fe, Mg, Ni, Zn, Cu, Cr, Co, Cd, Pb) accumulation potential of Noccaea kovatsii (Heuff.) F. K. Mey., from the Balkan Peninsula. The study included eight populations from ultramafic soils, six from Bosnia and Herzegovina, and two from Serbia. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to reveal relationships of elements in soil, and Pearson’s correlation coefficients for analysing associations of available quantities of elements in soil and those in roots and shoots of N. kovatsii. Uptake and translocation efficiency was assessed by using bioconcentration (BCF) and translocation factors (TF). All the analysed populations of N. kovatsii emerged as strong Ni accumulators, with the highest shoot concentrations of 12,505 mg kg−1. Even thought contents of Zn in plant tissues of N. kovatsii were under the hyperaccumulation level (602 mg kg−1 and 1120 mg kg−1 respectively), BCF was up to 667, indicating that certain surveyed populations have strong accumulative potential for this element.