Impact of Heavy Metals on Vegetation Communities with Plantago Major L and Plantago Media L

Popova EI

Abstract

Due to the huge development of gas and oil industry in Tobolsk town, Tyumen region, the anthropogenic load on the environment increases. The main pollutants are heavy metals. Impact of heavy metals leads to the changes in the environment and influences the vital functions of the plants. The study of the plants’ reaction on the heavy metals pollution is one of the up-to-date tasks. It is important to know how the contaminants impact on the plants’ chemical constitution. In this research were studied the flexibility of lead morphometric parameters of Plantago major L. and Plantago media L. depending on the anthropogenic impact were considered the interconnection between the rise of the reaction load and the changes in the nature and structure of herb stratum. Among the pollutants that are accumulated in plants P. major L. and P. media L., were selected the group of the following heavy metals (As, Cr, Cu, Mо, Ni, Pb, Sr, Zn). The analysis of plants’ samples has been done using the method of inductively coupled plasma with atomic emission spectrometer OPTIMA-7000DV of PerkinElmer Company (USA). The result of the research showed that P. major L. and P. media L. are sensitive markers for the assessment of environmental quality. It is shown in the changes of their morphometric parameters. During the research work were defined that the plants’ capacity to accumulate heavy metals is different. The results showed that Plantago major L. accumulates Cr, Zn and Plantago media L. accumulates Аs, Cr, Cu, Pb Sr.