Abstract
The environment of Northern Kosovo and Metohija has been remarkably influenced for a long time by the huge metallurgical complex "Trepča". The technological process of ore exploitation and processing in the Mining and Metallurgical Chemical Company "Trepča" has resulted in a large amount of discharged material, deposited on metal tailings that are mostly located in inappropriate areas, partially covered with vegetation, mostly consisted of several invasive plants. The activity of the enzyme catalase was investigated in plant species collected from abandoned metal tailings "Žitkovac" and compared with the same plant species from the environment from the vicinity of Niš city. Measurements of enzyme activity were carried out in the underground and above-ground parts of plant species Artemisia vulgaris, Cichorium intybus, Erigeron canadensis, Robinia pseudacacia, Medicago sativa, Teucrium chamaedrys, Plantago lanceolata, Rumex acetosella, Tanacetum vulgare and Euphorbia cyparissias using gasometric method. The results have indicated that an increase of catalase activity in tested plants from the metal tailings is possibly a consequence of stress caused by specific environmental conditions.
Publisher
Centre for Evaluation in Education and Science (CEON/CEES)
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