Bioaccumulation of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Zn in Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. in the polluted area by enterprise for the production and processing of batteries

In this paper, the concentration of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn was investigated in soil and Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. sampling from polluted cite near the enterprises for the production and processing of batteries in the city of Dnipro in Ukraine. The obtained results of the study were provided to assess the plant species through bio-monitoring and phytoremediation. Though Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. is a weed that causes serious allergic reactions in humans, this plant species can also have a high bioaccumulative capacity regarding metals. The obtained results highlighted the metals’ significantly higher concentration in roots than in the inflorescence part in Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. Among all studied metals, Zn and Cu had the highest concentration in Ambrosia artemisiifolia L., while lead was characterized by the highest bioavailable content available to plant forms in the soil. The various distribution of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn was found in different parts of the plant. According to plant-up-taking indexes studied elements can be ranked in the following descending order: Cu > Zn > Cr > Cd > Pb. Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. could be proposed for phytoremediation in Zn, Cu, Cd, and Cr contaminated soils although this species is resistant to lead soil pollution.

Toxic metals are famous pollutants due to their toxicity, persistence in the environment, and bioaccumulative nature [1-3]. Their acute or chronic poisonings may arise through water, air, and food for humans as well as for biota. Although metals are naturally occurring elements that are found throughout the earth’s crust, most environmental contamination and human exposure result from anthropogenic activities such as mining and smelting operations, industrial production and use, and domestic and agricultural use of metals and metal-containing compounds [1,4-6]. The research on the potential bioaccumulation of plants as bioindicators is an important attempt that contributes to the findings of the method of monitoring pollution as well as the processing of phytoremediation in a polluted environment, especially in industrial sites. Such contaminated sites include the areas near the enterprises for the production and processing of batteries. The city of Dnipro in Ukraine is characterized by a significant anthropogenic load and has enterprise for the production and processing of batteries [7]. In this regard, the areas near the enterprises for the production and processing of batteries have aroused interest in the study of plant bioaccumulation by revealing certain species of plants that are capable of high bioaccumulation on contaminated soils.

The ability to bioaccumulate depends on different factors, such as physicochemical properties of metal and its quantity, soil type and its buffering properties, species of plants, etc. Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. is an annual herb native to Central and Northern America [8, 9]. It has been accidentally introduced into Ukraine as well as others countries as a contaminant of seed and grains. Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. typically colonizes disturbed land where it produces a large number of seeds that can remain viable in the soil for 40 years or more. The pollen produced by species of Ambrosia is highly allergenic and can induce allergic rhinitis, fever, or dermatitis. However, this species is a powerful bioaccumulator [10-12]. The gained results of the study not only provided the environmental status in terms of metal pollution and bioaccumulation in Dnipro but also allow for assessing plants regarding bio-monitoring and phytoremediation.

The aim of the investigation was to assess the bio-accumulative availability of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn for Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. in polluted soil by enterprise for the production and processing of batteries. On the one hand, the study of the ability to bioaccumulate metals in polluted areas makes it possible to propose a plant species for phytoremediation or to determine the plant resistance to high elements bioavailable concentrations. On the other hand, the discovery of bioavailability patterns gives an insight into the behavior of the metal in the soil and plants, which allows for forecasting their danger in the environment.

As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn content in soil and plants was studied in the area of 716 m from the enterprise for the production and processing of batteries in Dnipro city in Ukraine. Soil and plants of Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. were sampled in July 2021 (Figure 1). The studied soil is ordinary low-humus black on heavy loess loam (pH salt 6.7; organic matter by Turin, Walkley - Black 4.4%).

Mean standard deviations, variance, minimum, maximum, and standard errors were calculated in four replicates. The experimental results were interpreted using standard statistical methods. Soil and plants were sampled in the phase of plants flowering. Analysis of soil samples (extraction with acetate-ammonium buffer pH 4.8) and plants (in the different parts as well as in total plants) (extraction with a mixture of concentrated acids HN03 and H2SO4) was carried out by the method of atomic emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma (optical spectrometer with inductively coupled plasma, iCAP 7000 Plus DUO). The lowest limits of definition of elements were: in the soil: As – 0,5 mg kg^-1, Cr and Cd – 0,2 mg kg^-1, Pb – 0,5 mg kg^-1, Cu – 0,1 mg kg^-1, Zn – 1,0 mg kg^-1; in the plants: As – 0,1 μg kg^-1, Cr - 4 μg kg^-1, Cd – 0,8 μg kg^-1, Pb – 4 μg kg^-1, Cu – 2 μg kg^-1, Zn – 10 μg kg^-1.

The plant up-taking index (PUI) for metals was calculated as follows:

$PUI=\frac{{\text{С}}_p}{{\text{С}}_s}$ (1)

Where c_p – bioavailable concentration in plant, mg·kg^-1 (dry weight);

c_s – concentration in soil, mg·kg^-1.

Among all studied metals, copper and zinc were characterized by the highest concentrations in plants of Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. (Figure 2).

Arsenic had the lowest content in total plants as well as in the inflorescence part of Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. There are several reasons for it. Cu and Zn are obligatory elements for plant growth and usually, they are present in significant concentrations both in the soil and in the plant. However, at the same time, Zn also could be a pollutant because of possible emissions by the enterprise for the production and processing of batteries. Lead was characterized also as a rather high concentration in plants, mostly in roots. Lead is one of the main pollutants in the production and processing of batteries [13]. Similar to lead, arsenic, chromium, and zinc also had the main concentration in their roots. It may be explained by the soil pollution of these elements. Cadmium was characterized by a high concentration in steam. In general, for all studied metals, the concentration in roots was scientifically higher than in the inflorescence part (F_theor < F_exper, P₀₅).

According to the coefficient variation of metals concentration in different parts of plants, Pb and As were characterized by the greatest variability (Table 1). It means, that the distribution of these metals in different parts of the plant was very uneven (V > 100%). Zinc and copper were most evenly distributed in different parts of the plant. This may be due to the low underground plant part bioavailability of these elements for the Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. In obedience to the coefficient of variation of metals concentration in different parts of the plant (V, %), studied metals can be ranked in the following descending order: Pb > As > Cd > Cr > Zn > Cu.

Cooper and zinc had the highest PUI for different parts of plants. Pb had the lowest PUI. Among numerous trace metals, lead is famous for its poor bioavailability even in polluted soils, in particular, in the aboveground part of plants [14-17]. This probably explains the main concentration of lead in the roots.

Lead was distinguished by the highest values of the content in the soil, and cadmium was the lowest (Table 2). However, Zn and Cu had the highest concentration in phytomass which is probably related to their obligatory functions in the plant [18]. According to plant-up-taking indexes studied elements can be ranked in the following descending order: Cu > Zn > Cr > Cd > Pb. The variability between bioaccumulation coefficients for different metals is significant, meaning that each metal has its range of bioavailability. Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. could be proposed for phytoremediation in Zn, Cu, Cd, and Cr polluted soils. At the same time, this species is resistant to lead pollution in soil. Many herbaceous plant species are known that can be offered as phytoremediators. For example, Urtica dioica L. is known for its high bioaccumulative ability of Cd as well as polychlorinated biphenyls [19-21]. Cichorium intybus L. and Plantago media L. were suggested as possible biomonitors of toxic metals (Pb, Cd, Cu, and Zn) pollution, particularly in urban areas [22-24]. In our previous paper, Impatiens parviflora DC was considered as a plant with high plant up-taking indexes for Cd and Pb (7 and 1, respectively) [20].

The behavior of arsenic in soil and Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. plants arouses interest. The bioavailable content of this element in the soil is below the detection limit, but its amount in the phytomass is quite significant. This can be explained by the foliar absorption of this element by the studied species or other sources of their content in the plant. In As hyperaccumulating species, such as Pteris vittata L, As is not immobilized in the roots, but is instead rapidly transported through the xylem to the leaves [25-27].

Among all studied metals, copper and zinc were characterized by the highest concentrations in plants of Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. although lead was characterized by the highest content of available to plants forms in the soil. The distribution of Pb and As in different parts of the plant was very uneven (V > 100%) in contradistinction to Zn and Cu (V < 50%). The metals’ concentration in the roots was scientifically higher than in the inflorescence part (F_theor< F_exper, P₀₅). The content of As in the soil was below the detection limit, but its amount in the phytomass is quite significant. This can be explained by the potential foliar absorption of this element by the Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. According to plant-up-taking indexes studied elements can be ranked in the following descending order: Cu > Zn > Cr > Cd > Pb. Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. could be proposed for phytoremediation in Zn, Cu, Cd, and Cr polluted soils. At the same time, this species is resistant to lead pollution in soil.

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