https://doi.org/10.15255/KUI.2021.022
Published: Kem. Ind. 71 (3-4) (2022) 123–130
Paper reference number: KUI-22/2021
Paper type: Original scientific paper
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Effects of Metal Toxicity on the Growth and Photosynthetic Pigment Contents of Salix purpurea in Mitrovica, Kosovo

F. Zabërgja Ferati, M. Kerolli Mustafa and F. Abazaj

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.

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Keywords

heavy metals, Salix purpurea, photosynthetic activity, photosynthetic pigment, phytoremediation