Biogeochemical and microscopic studies of soil and Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud. plants affected by coal mine dumps.

Developed areas of the coal industry are subjected to long-term anthropogenic impacts from the input and accumulation of overburdened coal material, containing potentially toxic heavy metals and metalloids (HMM). For the first time, comprehensive studies of soils and plants in the territory of the Donetsk coal basin were carried out using X-ray fluorescence, atomic absorption analysis, and electron microscopy. The observed changes in the soil redox conditions were characterized by a high sulfur content, and formations of new microphases of S-containing compounds: FeS2, PbFe6(SO4)4(OH)12, ZnSO4·nH2O, revealed the presence of technogenic salinization, increased Сorg content, and low pH contents. Exceedances of soil maximum permissible concentrations of Pb, Zn, Cu, and As in areas affected by coal dumps were apparent. As a consequence of long-term transformation of the environment with changes in properties and chemical pollution, a phytotoxic effect was revealed in Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud, accompanied by changes in ultrastructural and organization features of roots and leaves such as increases in root diameters and thickness of leaf blades. The changes in the ultrastructure of cell organelles: a violation of the grana formation process, an increase in the number of plastoglobules, a decrease in the number of mitochondrial cristae, and a reduction in the electron density of the matrix in peroxisomes were also observed. The accumulation of large electron-dense inclusions and membrane fragments in cell vacuoles was observed. Such ultrastructural changes may indicate the existence of a P. australis ecotype due to its long-term adaptation to the disturbed environment.

Phenolic Compounds of the Medicinal Plants in an Anthropogenically Transformed Environment.

In this article, the impact of an anthropogenically transformed environment on the content of pharmaceutically valuable biologically active compounds in medicinal plants is analyzed. The studied biologically active substances included phenolic compounds (flavonoids, anthocyanins, tannins, and phenolic acids). The number of transmissible forms of heavy metals (HMs), including cadmium, lead, and mercury, were discharged from factories that are present in the soil. Plants uptake these toxic metals from the soil. HM causes changes in the activity of the several enzymes such as phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), chalcone synthase (CHS), chalcone isomerase (CHI) and other enzymes. These enzymes play an important role in biosynthesis of phenolic compounds in medicinal plants. It has been demonstrated that plant materials possess high antioxidant potential due to their high phenolic content. As a result, the present review discusses a thorough investigation of anthropogenically transformed environment effects on the quantity of pharmaceutically valuable phenolic compounds in medicinal plants.

Features of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon's spatial distribution in the soils of the Don River delta.

PAHs are one of the most toxic organic compounds classes which is obligatory controlled all over the world. There is a luck of studies devoted to the PAHs levels and sources identification in the south of Russia. The features of the PAHs accumulation and spatial distribution in hydromorphic soils (Fluvisol) were studied on the example of the soils of the Don River delta floodplain landscapes. It has been shown that changes in the PAHs content in soils depended on the type and intensity of the emission source. A factor analysis and multivariate linear regression analysis were carried out to determine the features of the spatial distribution for individual PAH compounds, considering the properties of soils and typical differences in the emission source. The most polluted areas in the studied area located along the transit line of the long-distance tankers, where the content of the most toxic high molecular PAHs compounds reached 8862 ng g-1. As a result of regression analysis, a relationship was established between the PAHs accumulation rate with the content of silt (particles less than 0.001 mm in size) and Ca2+ and Mg2+ exchangeable cations in the soil (at p-level < 0.0001). Differences in individual PAH content for medium and heavy loamy Fluvisol and depend on the influence of different types of pollution sources.

Responses of Spring Barley to Zn- and Cd-Induced Stress: Morphometric Analysis and Cytotoxicity Assay.

Heavy metals such as cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) could be dangerous and pollute the environment due to their high migration ability, robust bioavailability, and acute toxicity to soil biota and plants. Considering the above characteristics of these elements, the study's aim was to explore the individual and combined impact of Cd and Zn contamination of Haplic Chernozem on growing two-row spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). The accumulation and distribution of Cd and Zn in various parts of H. vulgare have also been studied, which showed that Cd accumulation by H. vulgare occurred more intensely than that by Zn up to eight times. Cadmium and Zn suppress plant growth up to two times, more effect was noted by the combined impact of Cd and Zn. The study of plant morphological characteristics revealed that growth suppression and structural changes in the root and leaf tissues increased in proportion to Cd and Zn concentrations. Detailed analysis of the localizations of Zn and Cd in various organelles of H. vulgare cells was performed. Heavy metals change the ultrastructure of prominent energy-producing organelles in leaf cells, especially chloroplasts and mitochondria. Overall, the current findings offer insights into phytotoxicity induced by Cd and Zn individual application as well as in combination with the H. vulgare plant. Zinc showed protective effects against high doses of Cd under the combined application. These antagonistic interactions reduce their accessibility to H. vulgare. The present work can be useful in restricting the entry of these elements into the food chain and preventing creating a threat to human health.

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 Сav. to indicate the soil pollution with heavy metals (HMs) and priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by studying changes in the plant's ultrastructure. 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 organelles were noted for plants from the site within a 2.5 km from the emissions source and located on the predominant 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.

Uptake of potentially toxic elements and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from the hydromorphic soil and their cellular effects on the Phragmites australis.

The current study provides an information on the combined effect of pollution with potentially toxic elements (PTEs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in hydromorphic soils on the accumulation, growth, functional and morphological-anatomical changes of macrophyte plant, i.e., Phragmites australis Cav., as well as information about their bioindication status on the example of small rivers of the Azov basin. The territory of the lower reaches of the Kagalnik River is one of the small rivers of the Eastern Azov region was examined with different levels of PTEs contamination in soils, where the excess of the lithosphere clarkes and maximum permissible concentrations (MPC) for Mn, Cr, Zn, Pb, Cu, and Cd were found. The features of the 16 priority PAHs quantitative and qualitative composition in hydromorphic soils and P. australis were revealed. The influence of soil pollution on accumulation in P. australis, as well as changes in the morphological parameters were shown. It has been observed that morphometric changes in P. australis at sites experiencing the сontamination and salinity are reflected with the changes in the ultrastructure of plastids, mitochondria, and EPR elements of plant cells. PTEs accumulated in inactive organs and damaged cell structures. At the same time, PAHs penetrated through the biomembranes and violated their integrity, increased permeability, resulted cell disorganization, meristem, and conductive tissues of roots. The nature and extent of the structural alterations found are dependent on the type and extent of pollution in the examined regions and can be utilized as bioindicators for evaluating the degree of soil phytotoxicity characterized by the accumulation of PTE and PAHs.

Geochemical transformation of soil cover and vegetation in a drained floodplain lake affected by long-term discharge of effluents from rayon industry plants, lower Don River Basin, Southern Russia.

Lake Atamanskoye is one of the most polluted aquatic environments in the South of Russia. This water body was affected by long-term pollution by effluent from industrial rayon plants located in the city of Kamensk-Shakhtinsky. Accumulation of pollutants resulted in the degradation of Lake Atamanskoye, which is currently drained. This research focused on the geochemical transformation of soils and vegetation within the territory of the former water body and its surroundings. Methods of study included the evaluation of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in soils and plants by X-ray fluorescence, as well as the contents of their forms by sequential extraction and statistical processing of the data. The results revealed that Spolic Technosols and Fluvisols represent the most widespread soils within Lake Atamanskoye. The concentration of metals found in the soils of the lakebed is several orders of magnitude higher than the regional geochemical background and world soil baseline values due to long-term industrial pollution. The natural and technogenic soils were subdivided into two groups according to pH. Alkaline soils in the presence of carbonates were characterised by high levels of PTEs, while acidic soils with higher proportions of exchangeable fractions and higher potential for metal accumulation in adjacent plants had lower levels of PTEs.

Influence of soil pollution on the morphology of roots and leaves of Verbascum thapsus L.

The impact of inorganic pollutants in the zone of industrial wastewater settling tanks (South of Russia) was studied. The levels of Mn, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd were determined for Verbascum thapsus L., which are part of the mesophilic succession of wild plants in the studied technogenically polluted territory. The bioavailability of heavy metals (HM) for plants from transformed soils has been established. Anatomical and morphological features in the tissues of the plants affected by HM were analyzed using light-optical and electron microscopic methods. Contamination of the soil cover with Mn, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd has been established with maximum content of Zn. It was revealed that the HM content in the V. thapsus plants exceeded the maximum permissible levels (Russian state standard): Zn by 23, Pb by 2, Cr by 31 and Cd by 3 times. The lower level of HM content in the inflorescences of mullein plants in comparison with the root system, stems and leaves indicates the resistance of generative organs to technogenic pollution. In the root and leaves of the V. thapsus, the anatomical and ultrastructural observation were carried out using light-optical and transmission electron microscopy. Changes in the ultrastructure of plants under the influence of anthropogenic impact have been revealed. The most significant changes of the ultrastructure of the polluted plants were found in the cell organelles of leaves (mitochondria, plastids, peroxisomes, etc.) including spatial transformation of the thylakoid system of plastids during the metal accumulation by plants, which may determine the mechanism of plant adaptation to technogenic pollution.

The Effect of Granular Activated Carbon and Biochar on the Availability of Cu and Zn to Hordeum sativum Distichum in Contaminated Soil.

The presence of heavy metals in the soil could impose serious problems on soil-plant systems due to the accumulation of heavy metals in plants. Even vital elements such as Cu and Zn have a toxic effect in the case of excessive intake by living organisms. The present work aimed to investigate the content of loosely bound (exchangeable, complexed, and specifically sorbed) compounds of Cu and Zn and their availability to spring barley (Hordeum sativum distichum) in contaminated Haplic Chernozem soil under the conditions of a model experiment (five approximate permissible concentrations (APC) and 10 APC of metal). Changes in the bioavailability of the metals upon application of carbon sorbents were observed. An increase in loosely bound metal compounds has been shown under conditions of soil contamination with metals (up to 57% of the total content). The increase in the availability of Cu in the soil was mainly due to the formation of complexed metal forms with organic matter (up to 17%). The availability of Zn was found to be associated with an increase in exchangeable (up to 21%) and specifically sorbed compounds (up to 27%). Granular activated carbon (GAC) and biochar have high sorption properties. A decrease in the content of loosely bound compounds of metals was established, especially in the most mobile forms such as exchangeable and complexed forms. The introduction of sorbents into the soil opened up a new venue for binding heavy metals in situ, eventually leading to a decrease in their bioavailability. The inactivation of Cu and Zn in the soil upon the application of sorbents led to a decrease in metal absorption by spring barley. The highest efficiency of biochar application was established at a dose of 2.5% and 5% in soil contaminations of 5 APC and 10 APC of Cu or Zn. The efficiency of the use of sorbents was more influenced by the dose of application than by the type of sorbent. There was no significant difference between biochar and GAC. Stabilization and inactivation of metals may improve soil fertility and plant growth.

Data on the polymorphic sites in the chloroplast genomes of seven perennial Helianthus species.

Data present the chloroplast genome sequences of seven wild perennial Helianthus species obtained by using the Illumina HiSeq and NextSeq platforms. Datasets not included in the primary publication [1] are a source for further evolutionary studies. In particular, the annotated chloroplast genomes and datasets of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP), simple sequence repeats (SSR), insertion and deletion polymorphisms (INDEL) for H. tuberosus, H. salicifolius, H. pauciflorus, H. microcephalis, H. hirsutus, H. strumosus, and H. grosseserratus are presented. The raw reads are available in Figshare (https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.12600155). The complete chloroplast genome sequences for the seven perennial Helianthus species are available on GenBank NCBI under the accessions MT302562.1 - MT302568.1; the remaining data are provided in this article.

The toxic effect of CuO of different dispersion degrees on the structure and ultrastructure of spring barley cells (Hordeum sativum distichum).

Nowadays, nanotechnology is one of the most dynamically developing and most promising technologies. However, the safety issues of using metal nanoparticles, their environmental impact on soil and plants are poorly understood. These studies are especially important in terms of copper-based nanomaterials because they are widely used in agriculture. Concerning that, it is important to study the mechanism behind the mode of CuO nanoparticles action at the ultrastructural intracellular level. It is established that the contamination with CuO has had a negative influence on the development of spring barley. A greater toxic effect has been exerted by the introduction of CuO nanoparticles as compared to the macrodispersed form. A comparative analysis of the toxic effects of copper oxides and nano-oxides on plants has shown changes in the tissue and intracellular levels in the barley roots. However, qualitative changes in plant leaves have not practically been observed. In general, conclusions can be made that copper oxide in nano-dispersed form penetrates better from the soil into the plant and can accumulate in large quantities in it.

Sustainability of agricultural and wild cereals to aerotechnogenic exposure.

In recent decades, the problem of the constantly increasin level of anthropogenic load on the environment is becoming more and more acute. Some of the most dangerous pollutants entering the environment from industrial emissions are heavy metals. These pollutants are not susceptible to biodegradation over time, which leads to their accumulation in the environment in dangerous concentrations. The purpose of this work is to study the sustainability of cultivated and wild plants of the Poaceae family to aerotechnogenic pollution in the soil. The content of heavy metals in couch grass (Elytrigia repens (L.) Nevski), meadow bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) and soft wheat (Triticum aestivum) plants grown in the impact zone of Novocherkassk Power Station has been analyzed. Contamination of cultivated and wild cereals with Pb, Zn, Ni and Cd has been established. It has been shown that the accumulation of heavy metals is individual for each plant species. An average and close correlation have been established between the total HM content and the content of their mobile forms in the soil and their content in plants. For the plants studied, the translocation factor (TF) and the distribution coefficient (DC) of HM have been calculated. The TF is formed by the ratio of the concentration of an element in the root plant dry weight to the content of its mobile compounds in the soil. The DC value makes it possible to estimate the capacity of the aboveground parts of plants to absorb and accumulate elements under soil pollution conditions and is determined as the ratio of the metal content in the aboveground biomass to its concentration in the roots. TF and DC values have shown a significant accumulation of elements by plants from the soil, as well as their translocation from the root system to the aboveground part. It has been revealed that even within the same Poaceae family, cultural species are more sensitive to man-made pollution than wild-growing ones.

Environmental and human health risk assessment of potentially toxic elements in soils around the largest coal-fired power station in Southern Russia.

The combustion of solid fuel at power plants pollutes adjacent areas with potentially toxic elements (PTEs), which increases risks to public health in the vicinity of these facilities. The proposed paper presents the results of a geochemical study of PTEs (Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb) contamination in the vicinity of Novocherkassk Power Plant (NPP) as it relates to environmental and human health risks. The impact zone of NPP is pronounced for a distance of approximately 7 km northwest of the enterprise-the second largest coal power plant in Southern Russia. Data from monitoring sites lead us to conclude that spatial patterns of soil pollution are strongly influenced by the peculiarities of local atmospheric circulation, while the characteristics of soils within the study area play a secondary role. The highest levels of PTEs and their exchangeable forms exceed both regional background and sanitary and hygienic standards within a radius of 3 km to the west of the plant, which corresponds to a zone of soils contaminated with Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb. The carcinogenic risk to human health slightly exceeds the permissible standard of 1 × 10-6 for soils in close vicinity of the enterprise due to the potential human intake of Ni, Cd, and Pb. The results of the health risk assessment indicate no noncarcinogenic risks for adults, while for children, they are low.

Assessing the toxicity and accumulation of bulk- and nano-CuO in Hordeum sativum L.

The effects of bulk- and nano-CuO were monitored on barley (Hordeum sativum L.) in hydroponic conditions. The anatomical and cyto-/morphometric parameters of plants, exposed to both types of CuO in different doses (300 and 2000 mg/L) were recorded. The germination rate, root and shoot lengths decreased in a dose-dependent manner. Exposure to nano-CuO significantly increased Cu content in the H. sativum roots; however, the translocation rates of dissolved Cu were low and showed less accumulation in above-ground tissues. The differences between nano- and bulk-CuO treated plants were sufficiently evident, but at lower concentrations, these differences were non-significant. The relative seed germination inhibition was noted up to 11% and 22% under the high dose of bulk- and nano-CuO, respectively; however, at low dose, it was non-significant. The relative root length was reduced 3.6 fold by bulk- and 1.5 fold by nano-CuO, and shoot lengths decreased 1.6 fold by bulk- and 1.4 fold by nano-CuO under the high dose after growth of 30 days. It indicated more morphological effects on H. sativum caused by bulk- than the nano-CuO. The cytomorphometric analysis indicated the average cortex cell, total cortex, and total central cylinder areas of root cells and the average areas of chlorenchyma leaf cells were increased as compared to control in both bulk- and nano-CuO treated plants. It showed destructive effects of nano- and bulk-CuO on cellular organizations of H. sativum anatomy. Thus, at the low dose, the minimal effects of nano-CuO were observed than the bulk. Therefore, the finding could be interest for the safe application of nano-CuO.

Subcritical water extraction of organic acids from chicken manure.

BACKGROUND: Chicken manure waste has a wide range of organic substances and mineral elements. This enriched source has stimulated great scientific interest in finding cleaner and more environmentally benign nutrient recovery options. This study aimed to determine an effective and eco-friendly method (i.e. subcritical water extraction) for processing fresh poultry manure. RESULTS: The high content of total organic carbon, including humic acids carbon and fulvic acids carbon, in extract was found to release under subcritical conditions. The organic compounds obtained by extraction with subcritical water correspond to humic acid in composition because of the presence in the sample of all the functional groups: polymer bonded by molecular hydrogen bond (3400 cm-1 ), the presence of CH2 and CH3 groups (2870 cm-1 ), the presence of carboxyl groups (1720 cm-1 ) and quinones (1640-1680 cm-1 ). The solid phase left over was characterized by a high content of organic carbon, phosphorus, potassium, and microelements. The maximum extraction of humic acid and fulvic acid carbon was found between 210 and 250 °C at a pressure of 50-60 atm, and the content was a maximum of 3647.2 × 10-6 g kg-1 at an extraction temperature of 250 °C. CONCLUSION: Given the high content of humic acid found in the extracted medium, the proposed subcritical extraction opens up new opportunities for nutrients recovery in the poultry industry. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Bioindication of soil pollution in the delta of the Don River and the coast of the Taganrog Bay with heavy metals based on anatomical, morphological and biogeochemical studies of macrophyte (Typha australis Schum. & Thonn).

The results of biogeochemical and bioindication studies on the resistance of natural populations of macrophyte plant-cattail (Typha australis Schum. & Thonn) on the coast of the Taganrog Bay of the Sea of Azov and the sea edge of the Don River delta with regard to local pollution zones are presented. Plant resistance has been assessed through manifestation of their protective functions in relation to heavy metals. An excess in the lithospheric Clarkes and MPC in Zn, Cd and Pb in Fluvisols has been found. The total index of soil pollution (Zc) has made it possible to identify areas with different categories of contamination within the study area exposed to human impact. High mobility of Zn, Cd, Pb, Cr and Ni in Fluvisols has been revealed, which is confirmed by the significant bioavailability of Zn, Cr and Cd that are accumulated in the macrophyte plant tissues. The absorption of heavy metals by cattail plants is allowed for both the soil and the water of the nearby reservoir, where aquatic systems are a kind of "biological filter" contributing to water purification from pollutants. The impact of the environmental stress factor has been found to be manifested not only in the features of heavy metal accumulation and distribution in plant tissues, but also at the morphological and anatomical level according to the type of prolification. Changes in the cell membranes as well as in main cytoplasmic organelles (mitochondria, plastids, pyroxis, etc.) of the root and leaf cells have been identified, the most significant changes in the ultrastructure being noted in the tissues of leaf chlorenchyma. It is assumed that the identified structural changes contribute to slowing down of the ontogenetic development of plants and reduction in their morphometric parameters when exposed to anthropogenic pollution. Therefore, cattails can be effectively used as biological indicators while determining environmental pressures.

Comparison of Heavy Metal Content in Artemisia austriaca in Various Impact Zones.

A study on Artemisia austriaca of two anthropogenically heavy metal-polluted impact zones of the Rostov region, namely Lake Atamanskoye and Novocherkasskaya Power Station, was conducted. The influence of soil pollution on the Pb, Zn, and Cu accumulation in various organs of A. austriaca, which is widespread in the studied territories, was established. An extremely high level of Zn content (3051 mg/kg) was observed in the soils of the impact zone of Lake Atamanskoe, as well as an excess over the maximum permissible level for Pb and Cu (32 and 132 mg/kg accordingly). The distribution coefficient (DC) of heavy metal translocation showed the highest mobility of Zn (DC ≥ 1 in 9 out of 11 sites) and the smallest of Pb (DC ≥ 1 in 4 out of 11 sites) in plants of the Novocherkasskaya Power Station impact zone. The zone of increased pollution around Lake Atamanskoye was 1.5 km, which was much smaller than the Novocherkasskaya Power Station zone of high pollution (5 km). However, vehicle emissions accumulated in the soil over the past decades had a greater effect on the Pb translocation than atmospheric emissions of the enterprise.

Time effect on the stabilization of technogenic copper compounds in solid phases of Haplic Chernozem.

We studied the regularities of Cu stabilization in Haplic Chernozem contaminated with easily soluble (acetates, nitrates, sulfates, chlorides) and poorly soluble (acetates, nitrates, sulfates, chlorides) metal compounds in a five-year model experiment were studied. A low contents of Cu loosely bound compounds (LBC) (no >5% of total content) unchanging over time were revealed in the uncontaminated soil, which is indicative of the stability of soil processes. The Cu LBC content decreased over time in the soils contaminated with easily soluble compounds and increased in the soils contaminated with poorly soluble compounds. In both cases, the contents of Cu LBCs after 5 years of incubation remained higher than in the original uncontaminated soil. The effect of the attendant anions on the Cu LBC content was more apparent under the Cu application of 2000 mg kg-1 than at 300 mg kg-1. An inverse process characterized by an increase in the concentration of Cu LBCs over time was observed in the soil contaminated with Cu orthophosphate and oxide. Soil contaminated with different Cu compounds results in soil acidification. According to the effect on the decrease in soil pH, the attendant anions form the following series: SO42- ≈ Cl- > NO3- > Ac- > PO42- > O2-, which correlates with the Cu LBC content. Thus, the stabilization of Cu compounds in the soil is affected by the attendant anions and the interaction time of the metal with the soil solid phases.

Morphological and anatomical changes of Phragmites australis Cav. due to the uptake and accumulation of heavy metals from polluted soils.

The effect of strong chemical contamination of soils on the growth and structure of reed (Phragmites australis Cav.) roots and stems has been investigated. Soils and plants on monitoring plots in the zone of industrial sewage tanks and sludge reservoirs in the city of Kamensk-Shakhtinskii (southern Russia) were studied. Polyelement pollution of soils on the studied monitoring plots was revealed, with exceedances of Clarkes in hundreds of times for Zn and Cd, in tens of times for Pb, and in several times for Cu, Ni, Cr, and Mn. An ecological-geochemical estimation revealed an extremely hazardous level of soil contamination HMs in total. It is shown that the high level of soil contamination decelerates the ontogenetic development of plants and decreases their morphometric parameters. Electron-microscopic study of plants revealed changes in the ultrastructure of cell membranes, as well as the main cytoplasmic organelles of root and stem cells (mitochondria, plastids, etc.). It is suggested that the revealed structural changes in epidermis and mesoderm under the impact of metals hamper the radial migration of fluid in the root from the peripheral parts. These changes are one of the reasons for the decrease in the level of nutrient uptake and translocation from roots to shoots.

The effect of technogenic emissions on the heavy metals accumulation by herbaceous plants.

The effect of technogenic emissions on the input of Pb, Zn, Cd, Cu, Mn, Cr, and Ni into plants from the Poaceae and Asteraceae families has been studied. Soil and plant contamination by anthropogenic emissions from industrial enterprises leads the decreasing of crop quality; therefore, the monitoring investigation of plants and soils acquires special importance. The herbaceous plants may be used as bioindicators for main environmental changes. It was found that the high level of anthropogenic load related to atmospheric emissions from the power plant favors the heavy metal (HM) accumulation in herbaceous plants. Contamination with Pb, Cd, Cr, and Ni was revealed in plants growing near the power plant. Heavy metals arrive to plants from the soil in the form of mobile compounds. Plant family is one of the main factors affecting the HM distribution in the above- and underground parts of plants. Plants from the Poaceae family accumulate less chemical elements in their aboveground parts than the Asteraceae plants. Ambrosia artemisiifolia and Artemisia austriaca are HM accumulators. For assessing the stability of plants under contamination with HMs, metal accumulation by plants from soil (the bioconcentration factor) and metal phytoavailability from plants above- and underground parts (the acropetal coefficient) were calculated. According to the bioconcentration factor and translocation factor values, Poaceae species are most resistant to technogenic contamination with HMs. The translocation factor highest values were found for Tanacetum vulgare; the lowest bioconcentration factor values were typical for Poa pratensis.