Content of heavy metals in the leaves of woody plants growing in conditions of the Kedrovsky coalpit waste dump
The paper presents data on the content of heavy metals in the leaves of woody plants growing under the conditions of the Kedrovsky coalpit, located in the central part of the Kemerovo Region. The object of the study was the trees of Scots pine and European white birch 10-15 years old. The content of such heavy metals as lead, copper, zinc, and iron in the birch leaves and pine needles was studied. The studies were carried out according to generally accepted methods. It has been established by investigations that under the conditions of the waste dump of the Kedrovsky coalpit in the leaves of the studied plants, there is accumulation of elements, mainly associated with technogenesis, and impoverishment by such a biophilic element as iron. The maximum spectrum of heavy metals in comparison with the control accumulates birch dangling. Exceeding the threshold limit value of zinc in leaves and needles is revealed. It has been established that, in terms of the total concentration index, the level of accumulation of heavy metals in leaves and needles of the studied tree species growing under the conditions of the dump is estimated as low. The scientific significance of our research is that the obtained data can be used in the performance of ecological biomonitoring of woody plants in conditions of technogenic pollution.