Phragmites australis cav. As a bioindicator of hydromorphic soils pollution with heavy metals and polyaromatic hydrocarbons

The work is devoted to evaluation of the ability of Phragmites australis Cav. to indicate the soil pollution with heavy metals (HMs) and priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by studying changes in the plant's ultrastruc-ture. The concentration of Mn, Cu, Cr, Cd, Pb, Zn, Ni as well as 16 priority PAHs in hydromorphic soils and macrophyte plants (Phragmites australis Cav.) were increasing with distance decreasing to the power station and approaching to the direction of prevailing wind (northwest). The analyze of distribution of the studied pollutants in plants showed that the highest concentration have prevailed in the roots. A decrease in the diameter of the roots, and an increase in the thickness of the leaf blade was established. The transmission electron microscopy analysis showed that the ultrastructure of P. australis chloroplasts changed affected by accumulation of HMs and PAHs: a rise in the number of plastoglobules; a drop in the number of lamellae in granules, as well as changes in the shape, size, and electron density of mitochondria and peroxisomes. The most serious destructive violations of the main cellular or-ganelles were noted for plants from the site within a 2.5 km from the emissions source and located on the pre-dominant wind rose (north-west) direction. These macrophytes reflect spatial variations of pollutants metals in hydromorphic soils, therefore they are of potential use as bioindicators of environmental pollution.

Automated summary

This study examines the ability of Phragmites australis Cav. to indicate soil pollution with heavy metals (HMs) and priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) through changes in the plant's ultrastructure. The results show that the concentrations of HMs and PAHs increase as the distance from the power station decreases and the direction of the prevailing wind (northwest) is approached. The highest concentrations of pollutants are found in the roots of the plants. The study also reveals changes in the ultrastructure of chloroplasts in P. australis affected by the accumulation of HMs and PAHs. The most severe damage to the cellular organelles is observed in plants located within 2.5 km from the emissions source and in the direction of the predominant wind.