The heavy metal content of soil and shoots of Vaccinium myrtillus L. in the Słowiński National Park

Abstract

The research was carried out in the Słowiński National Park, in an area with 15 research stations in pine coniferous forests situtated at locations (1) inaccessible to tourists, (2) most frequently visted by tourists, as well as (3) in the vicintiy of parking lots. The analysed samples comprised surface generic levels (Ol, Ofh, A), above-ground material (shoots; leaves and stalks) and below-ground mateial (roots) of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus). The performed analyses showed statistically significant Spearman's correlation coefficients for Zn content in the 'soil – stalk' (r= -0,44, p<0,05, n=45) relationship and the ‘soil – root' relationship (r= -0,52, p<0,05, n=45). Accordingly, there were significant statistical differences (U Mann-Whitney test) in zinc content in the ‘stalk – roots' relationship and the ‘leaves – roots' relationship. Furthermore, the obtained results reveal an excessive accumulation of Mn in V. myrtillus. The content of the investigated heavy metals in V. myrtillus shoots decreased in the following order: Mn>Fe>Zn>Cu.