Environmental impact of the Al smelter on physiology and macronutrient contents in plants and Cambisols

Abstract

At present, a serious problem is the loss of soil nutrients in forest ecosystems with acidic atmospheric deposition and heavy metal contamination, which can have negative impact on plant growth. The objective of the research was to verify, whether different distance (1.5 and 18 km) from Al smelter Žiar nad Hronom (Slovak Republic) affects physiology and macronutrient contents (Ca, Mg, K, Na) in plant leaves and Cambisols of the nudal beech forests in Slovenské stredohorie Mts. In the surface of humus horizons significantly lower the amount of Catot was found close to the smelter (stress stand); in Aoq soil horizons up to 60-76% less Natot, Mgtot and Catot was accumulated compared to control stand. Available forms of soil macronutrients were higher in the control stand and compared with stress stand, differences were significant for Ca and Mg. In plant leaves somewhat higher macronutrient contents were found in stress stand, with the exception of Ca. In relation to the physiological characteristics environmental impact of Al smelter significantly influenced photosynthesis of beech, chlorophyll fluorescence parameter of both indicator species and calorific values of sedges in the vicinity of 1.5 km from the emission source.

Keywords

• anthropogenic pollutants
• acidification
• leaching
• immissions
• physiological status