BIOACCUMULATION AND BIOMAGNIFICATION FROM SOIL IN BIOTA NETTLE-SNAIL (URTICA DIOICA L. AND HELIX POMATIA L.) OF HEAVY METALS (Pb, Zn, Ni) POLLUTION OF MINING ACTIVITY IN MITROVICA.

Abstract

In this research project, we measured the impact and distribution of the activity of minning Trepça Complex in Mitrovica on the concentrations of heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Ni) in soil, plant (Urtica dioica,L) and shell of snail (Helix pomatia). Large quantities of these metals come from natural and anthropogenic sources including mining activity, agriculture, pesticide use, industrialization, and inadequate disposal of mineral waste and artificial fertilizers. These inorganic pollutants are deposited in the soil, water, and atmosphere in various forms of complexes and are thus transmitted from plants, animals to humans. Soil samples, nettle plant (Urtica dioica L.), and snail (Helix pomatia, L), were collected from the selected pollution source of mine Trepça complex at distances of 1km, 2km, and 5km in the radius circles divided into four geographical areas. Also the control samples are collected in unpolluted site Opoja-Dragash municipalty. The samples were digested in microwave at 2000C for 45 min and have been read in flame absorber Analyticjena Contra AAA. Higher concentrations of Pb, Zn, and Ni were recorded in the southern parts of the country compared to that control with significant differences (p<0.01). Bioaccumulation and biomagnification levels of these heavy metals have also been recorded in the roots, stalks, and leaves of the stinging nettle plant (Urtica dioica L.) as well as in snail shells (Helix pomatia, L.). The results show that the stinging nettle plant has translocated larger amounts of these heavy metals especially Pb along with the vegetative organs wherefrom these they are carried in the snail shell, which is fed on the stinging nettle plant. Also, results shown that the nettle plant Urtica dioica can be used in phytoremediation process whereas snail Helix pomatia can be used like bioindicator of heavy metal pollution and these heavy metals can contribute to anatomical and morphological changes of these types of organisms or even their extinction.