Trace elements in consumer plants

Abstract

The aim of this study was to estimate the content of trace elements (Zn, Cu, Cr, Cd, Pb) in soils and consumer plants grown under and without the influence of traffic. The species such as lettuce, raspberry, beetroot, apple, carrot, chives and onion were selected for the study. The samples were mineralized and the heavy metal content in plants and soils was determined by means of atomic absorption spectrometry. The content of heavy metals in the soil from municipal allotments was higher than in the soil from the Saniki Colony. For both samples, the permissible soil content was not exceeded. The amount of trace elements in plants varied depending on species, but the place of vegetables and fruits origin was also important. Most of trace elements occurred in larger amounts in the plants from allotments, and in smaller amounts in the plants from Saniki Colony.