Bioaccumulation abilities of different parts of Iris pumila L.

Abstract

The presence of certain elements in the soil controls their bioavailability to the plant. Uptake of elements depends on their concentration, solubility of occurring form and soil properties. Also, the propensity of the plant for the bioaccumulation process will condition the transfer of ions of elements from the soil to the various parts of the plant. Sometimes good bioaccumulation properties of plants can be used for their application for bioremediation of polluted areas. The objective of the present study was to determine the concentrations of selected elements in the rhizome and above-ground parts of Iris pumila grown in Deliblato Sands (Serbia) in relation to its surrounding soil. Potassium and selenium contents (mg kg-1of dry matter) were determined by ICP-OES method after digestion of samples. The concentration, transfer and accumulation of some elements from the soil to rhizome and above-ground parts were evaluated in terms of Biological Absorption Coefficient (BAC): cplant part/csoil. The concentration of K+ ions in soil, rhizome, above-ground vegetative parts and flower were: 1,845.3 mg kg-1, 1,307.0 mg kg-1, 4,461.4 mg kg-1 and 2,875.1 mg kg-1, respectively. The presence of selenium as a trace element was confirmed both in the soil (0.112 mg kg-1) and in the plant parts (rhizome - 0.156 mg kg-1; above-ground vegetative parts- 0.135 mg kg-1; flower - 0.122 mg kg-1). The obtained results confirmed that the aboveground parts accumulated potassium (BACvegetative= 2.42; BACflowers= 1.56). Also, all plant parts have shown the ability to bond selenium from soil in significant quantities (BACrhizomes= 1.38; BACvegetative= 1.20; BACflowers= 1.08). This suggests that this specie have potential in phytoremediation.