RESEARCH ON THE ACCUMULATION AND TRANSFER OF HEAVY METALS FROM THE SOIL TO BERRIES (BLUEBERRIES - VACCINIUM MYRTILLUS L. AND RASPBERRIES - RUBUS IDAEUS)

Abstract

The current study has investigated the accumulation and transfer coefficient for three heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Zn) found in the contaminated soil with three concentrations (c1=1.5%, c2=3.0%, c3=4.5%, c4=6.0%), obtained by mixing the three metals, in blueberry and raspberry fruits. The pots in which the shrubs were planted were loaded with fertile soil which was mixed and homogenized in turn with each of the three solutions of different concentrations. The highest accumulation in blueberry fruits was recorded for zinc, then copper and the lowest for lead, while for raspberries the highest results was recorded for zinc, then lead and the lowest for copper. The findings are valid for all four concentrations used. The transfer coefficient decreases as the concentration of heavy metals increases, thus for high heavy metal concentrations, the values of the transfer coefficient are very low, and for small heavy metal concentrations in the soil, the values for the transfer coefficient are higher. From the assessment of accumulation and transfer of heavy metals to berries (blueberries and raspberry) grown in the contaminated soil, it was concluded that all concentrations of the copper, lead and zinc mix have shown a low risk for human consumption.