Variation of Gallium Concentrations in Some Forest Trees Depending on Species, Organ and Soil Depth

Abstract

Heavy metal pollution is one of the most critical environmental problems threatening the environment and human health. Therefore, studies on monitoring and reducing heavy metal pollution are among the prioritized study topics. Plants are one of the most effective tools to monitor and reduce heavy metal pollution. However, the potential of heavy metal accumulation in various organs of plants is quite different. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the most suitable species and organs for this purpose and to have information on the transfer of heavy metals in the plant and the way of entry into the plant. In this study, the concentrations of Gallium, one of the most critical and dangerous heavy metals for human health, were evaluated at different soil depths in the soils where Pinus nigra Arnold., Pinus sylvestris L., Fagus orientalis Libsky. and Abies nordmanniana subsp. bornmülleriana Mattf. species grow in leaves, bark, wood, cones, and root organs. As a result of the study, there was no statistically significant difference between soil depths in terms of mean values of Gallium concentrations. In contrast, the highest importance on a species basis was obtained in Fagus orientalis Libsky. The lowest values were obtained in Abies nordmanniana subsp. bornmülleriana Mattf. Regarding organs, the lowest values were obtained in wood and the highest in roots.