Element content (Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) of the ruderal plant Verbascum olympicum Boiss. from East Mediterranean

Abstract

In this study, heavy metal content (Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn) was determined in soils and different organs of Verbascum olympicum Boiss. This species is endemic to Uludag and spreads on destroyed areas such as: roadsides, developed building areas, ski lift stations and sheep folds. Soils and different organs (roots, stems, leaves and flowers) of plant samples were analyzed using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer for determining the element content. Heavy metal contents in soils and different organs in this species were highly correlated (P < 0.05). However, the contribution of plant organs to the accumulation capacity varied according to the metal. These results suggest that this species may be useful as a bioindicator for heavy metals.