Heavy Metals Accumulation in Silver Fir Needles in Swietokrzyski National Park

Abstract

Abstract The article demonstrates the results of the research studies related to the air polluted with heavy metals in the area of Swietokrzyski National Park. The two-year-old needles of Abies alba (Mill) were used as the bioindicator with the intention of carrying out the research. The studies were conducted in the autumn of 2012. The results showed the spatial variability of concentrations in the range of the analysed metal deposition patterns in the needles of Abies alba (Mill). The average content of the analysed elements seemed to be the highest in the case of zinc (26.6 mg·kg−1 d.m.), strontium (6.5 mg·kg−1 d.m.) and nickel (1.6 mg·kg−1 d.m.). The research studies revealed that the significant role in determining the content of heavy metals in the two-year-old needles was played by the communication. The highest values were recorded at the research sites situated in the immediate neighbourhood of the voivodeship roads. It was also confirmed that the content of metals was influenced by the so-called low emission from the household and welfare sector together with the remote imission.