Comparative study on macro- and micro-elements concentration in Nicotiana tabacum and Faba siliquis plants by ICP-MS

Plants are important components of ecosystems as they transfer elements from abiotic into biotic environments. The concentration of macro and micro-elements in tobacco leaves (Nicotiana tabacum) and bean (Faba siliquis) was analyzed using ICP-MS technique. The results obtained indicated that the mean concentration of Mg, P, K and Ca in tobacco leaves was 0.965, 0.812, 4.412 and 2.694 g·kg−1, respectively, while in bean samples were 0.899, 2.024, 6.725 and 1.387 g·kg−1, respectively. Mn concentration ranged from 156.835 mg·kg−1 to 234.593 mg·kg−1 in tobacco leaves and from 116.174 mg·kg−1 to 440.423 mg·kg−1 in bean samples. The results for Cu and Zn were between 7.262 mg·kg−1 and 105.738 mg·kg−1, 68.549 mg·kg−1 and 113.720 mg·kg−1 (tobacco leaves); and 6.830 mg·kg−1 and 46.034 mg·kg−1, 50.166 mg·kg−1 and 77.242 mg·kg−1 (bean samples), respectively. In analyzed samples, Pb, Cd and As concentrations ranged between <0.001-0.717 mg·kg−1, 0.046 mg·kg−1 −6.218 mg·kg−1, <0.001-0.381 mg·kg−1. The paper discusses t...