The bioconcentration of some metals in species Potentilla visianii Pančić

The aims of this study were to determine content of eleven metals (Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Ni, Pb, Cd, Co, and Cr) in serpentine-obligate species Potentilla visianii Pančić and serpentine soil where it grows. The concentrations of all examined metals were higher in soil than in species P. visianii (excepting Ca). Our study exhibited different metal bioconcentration in species P. visianii, depending on kind of metals. In soil samples metal concentrations had the following order: Mg>Fe>Ca>Ni>Cr>Mn>Co>Zn>Pb>Cu>Cd, and in plant Ca>Mg>Fe>Ni>Mn>Cr>Zn>Co>Cu>Pb>Cd. The Ca:Mg ratio in soil was 0.02 and in plant 1.32. The Biological Absorption Coefficient was below one (except for Ca and Zn). The serpentine-obligate species Potentilla visianii have had different capacity in uptake and bioaccumulation of investigated metals. Selective absorption of certain ions, combined with it sedentary nature makes this plant suitable as biological monitors used in ecosystem quality studies to monitor heavy metals of serpentine soils.