Effects of Metal Toxicity on the Growth and Photosynthetic Pigment Contents of Salix purpurea in Mitrovica, Kosovo

Abstract

In Mitrovica, Kosovo, mining activity is threatening the environment and living organisms. The major sources of this pollution are the open tailing dumps in the city of Mitrovica, causing contamination of soil, air, and plants. This study determines heavy metal contamination levels in Salix purpurea leaf grown in the city of Mitrovica and its surrounding area, where the industrial plants and open tailing dumps of mineral processing are located. Furthermore, the photosynthetic activity of the plant was used to assess the content of heavy metals (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn). The two-year (2019 and 2020) study showed heavy metal upgrade in leaves and chlorophyll. Total chlorophyll, ratios of chlorophyll a over chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll over carotenoids was calculated. The obtained data were analysed using Minitab 19 statistical software. The results indicated that mining activities and the open tailing dumps initiate heavy metal pollution for plants with a high risk of accumulation.

Heavy Metals Treated Soil Effects on the Concentration of Chlorophyll A, B, and Mineral Elements in Algae

“…Al-Rashedy and Al-Mtewti (2022) also reported that treating the soil with heavy elements led to a decline in the concentration of carbohydrates, one of the products of photosynthesis that depend on chlorophyll concentrations. Ferati et al (2022) noted that exposure to heavy metals affected the photosynthetic pigments in the plant leaves of Salix purpurea.…”