Strontium Accumulations by Teucrium polium which Grows Naturally in Serpentine Soils

Abstract

The study area is the region where Turkey's most important chrome deposits are located, and extensive serpentine soils are widespread in the region. ın this study, strontium uptake accumulations in the roots and shoots of the Teucrium polium plant growing on serpentine soils in the region were examined.In this context, the soil, roots and shoots of 17 Teucrium polium plants growing on serpentine soils were collected and chemically analyzed for strontium. Chemical analyzes were carried out in ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry). On average, strontium values of 15.2 ppm in the soil, 26.4 in the root and 76.3 ppm in the shoots were detected. Strontium enrichment values in the soil, roots and shoots of this plant were determined as 1.8 for ECR, 5.3 for ECS and 2.9 for TLF. This study shows that the Teucrium polium plant accumulates significant amounts of strontium from the soil, both in the root and in the shoots. As a result, this plant can be used as a bioaccumulator plant, especially in the reclamation of strontium-polluted soils and the improvement of such areas.