Heavy metal tolerance of Pontechium maculatum (Boraginaceae) from several ultramafic localities in Serbia

Abstract

Pontechium maculatum, a facultative metallophyte, was collected from four ultramafic localities in Serbia and analysed in terms of micro- and macroelement accumulation. The aim of the study was to reveal trace element profiles and differences in uptake and translocation of heavy metals in populations growing under heavy metal stress. The concentrations of major and trace elements in soil samples (Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Cr, Zn, Cu, Co, Cd) and in plant tissues (Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Cr, Zn, Cu, Co, Cd) are presented. The results of our analysis indicate that P. maculatum efficiently absorbs Zn and Cr, while for most of the other elements accumulation levels fit in the range of values obtained for several other species from ultramafic localities on the Balkan Peninsula.