Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are considered as the pollutants of highest priority, and their remediation is of a global concern. The purpose of this study was to investigate the phytoremediation potential of Hedera helix (Hh) determining the content of 16 priority PAHs in its soil and root samples collected from the rural and industrial zones of the Bor's municipality (Serbia). The content of Ʃ16 PAHs in the soils was: 326.49 mg/kg at the site Borsko jezero to maximal 1937.64 mg/kg at the site Slatinsko naselje. The level of soil pollution (depending on the concentration of S16 PAHs), was high at many tested sites and it was under the significant influence of anthropogenic activities. The concentration for S16 PAHs in the samples of roots ranged from 480.71 mg/kg at the site Krivelj to 1748.32 mg/kg at the site Naselje Sunce. Interestingly, the extremely toxic benzo(a)pyrene, was not detected in the roots of Hh. Bioconcentration factors (BCFs) were applied to determine the capacity of Hh for PAH accumulation in the root, and consequently, for determination of its phytostabilization potential. In most cases, BCF values were higher at the locations from UI zone. The calculated BCFs were higher for LMW PAHs than for HMW PAHs. At the majority of the investigated locations, the tested plant species was especially successful in the root accumulation of the compounds such as acenaphthene, fluorene, anthracene, dibenzo(a,h)anthracene, and the sum of benzo(k)fluoranthene and benzo(b)fluoranthene. These findings showed that Hh can be successfully used in phytostabilization of many PAHs.
The aim of this work was to investigate the phytomonitoring potentials of Hedera helix L. from the Bor`s municipality concerning (atmospheric) Pyrene as a well-known hazardous substance. The results of gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis of the unwashed stems and leaves showed that Pyrene concentrations obviously varied at all selected rural and urban/industrial zones (RZ and UIZ). These first signs of various sources of Pyrene in the investigated area were later supported by the results of the performed Pearson’s correlation analysis, which showed that the detected Pyrene concentrations came not only from the vicinal heating and smelting plants, as the main sources of pollution in the whole region but also from the domestic heating in RZ, or forest fires, or controlled fires in the cultivated fields, and finally from the traffic in all zones. The correlation analysis also signalized that at some locations, the detected concentrations (especially in stems) came not only from the atmosphere but also from the soil. The calculated factor R confirmed the sites with the greatest atmospheric impact. Very high R values were calculated for 3 sites (two in UIZ and one in RZ) with the highest value of 1.61. Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that the investigated stems and leaves, with the applied chemical and statistical analyses, and the calculation of R factor, can serve as a useful tool in the atmospheric Pyrene phytomonitoring.
The aim of this work was to investigate the phytomonitoring potentials of Hedera helix L. from the Bors municipality concerning (atmospheric) Pyrene as a well-known hazardous substance. The results of gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis of the unwashed stems and leaves showed that Pyrene concentrations obviously varied at all selected rural and urban/industrial zones (RZ and UIZ). These first signs of various sources of Pyrene in the investigated area were later supported by the results of the performed Pearson's correlation analysis, which showed that the detected Pyrene concentrations came not only from the vicinal heating and smelting plants, as the main sources of pollution in the whole region but also from the domestic heating in RZ, or forest fires, or controlled fires in the cultivated fields, and finally from the traffic in all zones. The correlation analysis also signalized that at some locations, the detected concentrations (especially in stems) came not only from the atmosphere but also from the soil. The calculated factor R confirmed the sites with the greatest atmospheric impact. Very high R values were calculated for 3 sites (two in UIZ and one in RZ) with the highest value of 1.61. Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that the investigated stems and leaves, with the applied chemical and statistical analyses, and the calculation of R factor, can serve as a useful tool in the atmospheric Pyrene phytomonitoring.
Plants have a wide range of mechanisms which can be activated in the processes of heavy metal detoxification and tolerance. The most successful mechanisms have been developed by specific plant species, known as hyperaccumulators, which may accumulate enormous concentrations of these dangerous pollutants in their above ground parts. This is a strategy which was efficiently exploited for phytoremediation purposes, as a relatively new, but economically and environmentaly highly sufficient technology for the soil and water remediation.
The goal of this paper was to study the influence of organic gold complex based on mercaptotriazole on photoresist layers used in manufacturing of printed circuit boards (PCBs). Investigations were performed by immersion the previously prepared boards in electrolytes with different pH values (pH=2, 4, 7, 9 and 12) at gold concentration of 2.5 g/dm3 and in gold complexes with different gold concentrations (1.5; 2.0; 2.5; 3.0 and 3.5 g/dm3) at pH value of pH=9. Investigations showed that photoresist layers on boards are the most resistant at optimal operating conditions, pH=9 and concentration of gold of 2.5 g/dm3.