Concentration of heavy metals and stand state of sesille oak (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.) on Avala mountain (Serbia)

Abstract

The research of heavy metals contents in soil and leaves of Sessile oak (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.). Moreover, the paper presents the analysis of the stand state on the Avala Mountain. The Avala area is high-grade protected natural resource located on the territory of Belgrade (Serbia) and its regime of exploitation and protection is clearly defined. It is assumed that the human factor is the primary cause of degradation of the protected areas of Avala. Therefore, the current inadequate stand composition and the impact of traffic pollution can be considered the decisive causes of degradation on mountain, as a natural area under special protection. Determining the degree of loading of soil and plants with heavy metals and the analysis of stand conditions of such valuable protected areas such as the area of Avala, are of great importance, based on the results obtained, to take appropriate timely precautionary measures, in order to preserve, improve nature conservation, the environment in general, and especially health conditions. The research of the contents of heavy metals (Pb, Ni, Fe, Zn i Mn) in soil showed the load of soil especially with Pb and Ni. In third locaction the concentration of Ni (amounting to 7.0 μg/g) in the plants leaves is significantly higher which indicates the existance of chemical contamination of soil, before all, with this pollutant. The measured concentrations of all examined heavy metals (Pb, Ni, Zn, Mn and Fe) in the leaves of Sessile oak on Avala fall within the maximum allowed values in accordance with the legal regulations in Serbia.