NATURAL SCIENCES

Journal of fundamental
and
applied researches

Accumulation of copper, lead and zinc needles and woody plantleaves subject to atmospheric pollution in Ust-Kamenogorsk

2012. №4, pp. 36-43

Galyamova Gulmira K. - ecologist, LLP «Tulpar-Talgo», 25 Pobeda Ave., Astana, 480000, Republic of Kazakhstan, galym.g@mail.ru

The study has examined the peculiarities inherent in the accumulation of zinc, copper and lead pine needles and tree leaves growing in the city of Ust-Kamenogorsk. In the course of the research, specific peculiarities of metal accumulation have been identified. Moreover, a correlation has been drawn between heavy metal content in tree needles and leaves, depending on their compound forms, and their total content in the city’s soils. The investigated elements could be placed in the following equation – Zn>Pb>Cu – according to the level of the highest element of concentration in the leaves and needles of woody plants in relation to dry biomass. The research has also revealed that the zinc and lead content in tree needles and leaves in Ust-Kamenogorsk exceeds that in plants of the biosphere and depends on the species. The highest concentration of zinc and lead is typical of Betula pendula Roth leaves, and the needles of Picea obovata Ldb. Moreover, the season and age of the needles are influenced by the amount of heavy metals they contain. According to the results of the investigation, the concentration of Pb, Zn, Cu in spruce needles and Zn, Cu in pine needles increases over 3–4 years maximum and 1–2 years minimum. Furthermore, high concentrations of heavy metals were revealed in spruce needles and tree leaves in different areas of the city depending on their anthropogenic aptitude. The study’s coefficient of biological absorption describes the relationship of the element contents in plant ash to the element content in the biosphere, not the contents in particular, because plant chemical structure is defined by systematic position and not by substrate contents.

Key words: needles,woody plants,heavy metals,phytoindication,biological absorption coefficient