Distribution of heavy metals in apple tissues grown in the soils of industrial area

Abstract

The exposure of heavy metals in the Drenas site - Kosovo has risen dramatically in the last 30 years because of mining and smelting activities. The study investigated the heavy metal in soil, accumulation in different parts of apple trees near the industrial sites of Drenas. The accumulation ratio values of heavy metals were calculated to assess the potential health risks. The mean concentrations of the heavy metals in the soil were in the following order of magnitude Ni > Zn > Fe > Cr > Cu > Pb > Cd > As, while that in the apples were in the order of magnitude Ni > Cr > Fe > Cu > Pb > Zn > Cd > As, in the leaves - Fe > Zn > Cu > Cr > Ni > Pb > Cd > As and in the shoots - Zn > Fe > Cu > Cr > Ni > Pb > Cd > As. Compared to control, the contents of analyzed metals from plant tissues of apple trees in the contaminated area were significantly higher (p < 0.001). The concentration of Ni, Pb, Cr, Fe etc. in the apple tissue increased along with the heavy metal content in soils in the polluted area. The high accumulation ratio values for Pb (1.1), Cd (0.62), Cr (0.93) and Ni (0.46) were characteristic for the investigated species and indicate the accumulation ability.