Journal of the Serbian Chemical Society (Jan 2016)

Assessment of heavy metal pollution of topsoils and plants in the City of Belgrade

  • Andrejić Gordana,
  • Rakić Tamara,
  • Šinžar-Sekulić Jasmina,
  • Mihailović Nevena,
  • Grubin Jasmina,
  • Stevanović Branka,
  • Tomović Gordana

DOI
https://doi.org/10.2298/JSC150829096A
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 81, no. 4
pp. 447 – 458

Abstract

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In order to assess heavy metal pollution in the city of Belgrade (Serbia) concentrations of V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb were measured on 18 topsoil samples collected in the proximity to central urban boulevards and in urban parks. In addition, concentrations of specified elements were determined in leaves of three evergreen plant species Buxus sempervirens L., Mahonia aquifolium (Pursh) Nutt. and Prunus laurocerasus L. so as to estimate their sensitivity to heavy metal pollution. Even though various types of soils from different quarts of Belgrade were sampled, their heavy metal contents were very similar, with somewhat higher concentrations of almost all elements detected in the proximity to high traffic roads. Generally, concentrations of heavy metals in leaves of investigated plant species paralleled the heavy metal concentrations found in their respective soils and were higher in plants sampled from boulevards then from urban parks. Since investigated plant show no visible injuries induced by detected heavy metal pollution these species are suitable for the successful urban landscaping. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 173030]

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