CADMIUM ACCUMULATION BY VASCULAR PLANTS IN FOREST ECOSYSTEMS OF THE VOLGA UPLAND IN PENZA REGION

Abstract

Background. The research of the content of toxic chemical elements in various components in natural ecosystems is one of actual issues of the biosphere ecology. The purpose of the work was to study the background concentrations of cadmium in vascular plants in forest ecosystems of the Volga Upland in Penza region. Materials and methods. The research material was a number of samples of organs and tissues of the most common types of vascular plants of various life forms. They were selected during the period of time from September, 2015 to December, 2019. The samples were analyzed with the use of the MGA-915 MD atomic absorption spectrometer. Statistically calculated in Past 3. Results and conclusions. As a result of measurements, the quantitative content of cadmium in the biomaterial of woody and herbaceous plants has been determined. The processing of the statistical data allowed drawing the following conclusions. Trees accumulate the largest amount of the element in question, while grasses accumulate the smallest. On this indicator, bushes occupy a middle position. The species specificity is manifested in the nature of the cadmium accumulation by vascular plants. The content of the element in the vegetative organs and tissues of woody plants is not uniform. The minimum values were determined for the roots and the wood tissue of the trunk, the average values were determined for leaves, and the maximum values were determined for bark. The medicinal and edible vegetable raw materials, procurement of which is possible in the researched forest communities of Penza region, are safe with respect to the cadmium content. In protected areas, the entire supply of toxic elements coming from atmospheric precipitation is held therein. In this regard, they have the same – or even higher – rates of cadmium content in the soil and the biological objects than in the forest areas where fellings take place.

Keywords

• cadmium
• forest ecosystems
• life forms
• protected areas
• vascular plants