A field and literature survey, with interpretation, of elemental concentrations in blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium)

Abstract

Blueberry species are important for assessment of pollutant impacts in boreal settings because they are effective colonizers of disturbed sites, are tolerant of high levels of certain heavy metals, and are an attractive food for humans. To investigate patterns in its accumulation of elements and to provide background data, the concentrations of Al, B, Ba, Br, Ca, Ce, Cl, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, S, Sb, Si, Sr, Ti, Zn, and Zr were measured in leaves of Vaccinium angustifolium Ait. collected at 64 sites across much of the species range in Canada. These included both cultivated and natural populations. Ranges for 24 other elements in Vaccinium species have been compiled from the literature. Measurements of site and soil characteristics were made for the 64 sites to investigate their effects on concentrations in leaves. The concentration data were right-skewed, and this has implications for both data analysis and environmental impact assessment. The concentrations of most elements were positively correlated, and this was related to soil organic matter content and other soil properties. Plant concentrations were only weakly related to soil concentrations. Plant height was positively correlated to soil pH and leaf Ca, opposite to the expected trend. Overall, about half of the variation in plant concentrations was related to site-to-site variation; with the exception of Ni and Mg levels around Sudbury, Ontario, there was little indication of spatial grouping. The data indicate a relatively homogeneous elemental composition of V. angustifolium across the range sampled and between cultivated and natural populations. Key words: metals, nutrient, background, impact, pollutant.