391
All endemic T. alsarensis species that grow in the vicinity of the Allchar locality
appear to be exposed to excess amounts of As that is present in the soil (Table 13.3).
As such, significant accumulation of As in these endemic species was observed. The
highest accumulation of As in T. alsarensis was found in the roots, with an average
value of 62.7 mg kg
−1
(Table 13.4). For the aboveground parts of these endemic
plant species, the highest average value of 14 mg kg
−1
was found in the leaves of the
plant, while the average value for the stems was 10.6 mg kg
−1
. The lowest content
of As was observed to be in the flowers.
All samples of T. alsarensis that were collected and identified in this area were
exposed to soil containing high amounts of Sb as well. From Table 13.4, it is
apparent that the content of Sb in all plant parts was low. Furthermore, no significant
differences between the different parts of the plant were observed. The majority of
Sb accumulated in the roots and leaves, and the average values for these parts were
0.89 mg kg
−1
and 0.43 mg kg
−1
, respectively. Accumulation of Sb in the flowers and
stems was minimal <0.30 mg kg
−1
. The comparison of the content of Tl in different
parts of the plant indicated that significantly higher content of Tl was observed in
the roots and flowers (Table 13.4). Accumulation of Tl in roots, flowers, and leaves
in T. alsarensis had an average value of 147, 131, and 104 mg kg
−1
, respectively. In
stems the average value was 60.7 mg kg
−1
.
Comparison of samples that were collected near or around the Allchar mine
(n = 5) with samples from the rest of the area (n = 9) revealed significant differences
in the content of As and Tl (Fig. 13.7). Thus, the average content of As in the roots
(A-Root) of samples around the Allchar mine was 139 mg kg
−1
, which is nearly
Fig. 13.7 Comparison between samples of Thymus alsarensis collected from the Allchar area (A
area around the Allchar mine, R rest of the Allchar area)
13 Accumulation Abilities of Endemic Plant Species from the Vicinity of an As-Sb-Tl…
All endemic T. alsarensis species that grow in the vicinity of the Allchar locality
appear to be exposed to excess amounts of As that is present in the soil (Table 13.3).
As such, significant accumulation of As in these endemic species was observed. The
highest accumulation of As in T. alsarensis was found in the roots, with an average
value of 62.7 mg kg
−1
(Table 13.4). For the aboveground parts of these endemic
plant species, the highest average value of 14 mg kg
−1
was found in the leaves of the
plant, while the average value for the stems was 10.6 mg kg
−1
. The lowest content
of As was observed to be in the flowers.
All samples of T. alsarensis that were collected and identified in this area were
exposed to soil containing high amounts of Sb as well. From Table 13.4, it is
apparent that the content of Sb in all plant parts was low. Furthermore, no significant
differences between the different parts of the plant were observed. The majority of
Sb accumulated in the roots and leaves, and the average values for these parts were
0.89 mg kg
−1
and 0.43 mg kg
−1
, respectively. Accumulation of Sb in the flowers and
stems was minimal <0.30 mg kg
−1
. The comparison of the content of Tl in different
parts of the plant indicated that significantly higher content of Tl was observed in
the roots and flowers (Table 13.4). Accumulation of Tl in roots, flowers, and leaves
in T. alsarensis had an average value of 147, 131, and 104 mg kg
−1
, respectively. In
stems the average value was 60.7 mg kg
−1
.
Comparison of samples that were collected near or around the Allchar mine
(n = 5) with samples from the rest of the area (n = 9) revealed significant differences
in the content of As and Tl (Fig. 13.7). Thus, the average content of As in the roots
(A-Root) of samples around the Allchar mine was 139 mg kg
−1
, which is nearly
Fig. 13.7 Comparison between samples of Thymus alsarensis collected from the Allchar area (A
area around the Allchar mine, R rest of the Allchar area)
13 Accumulation Abilities of Endemic Plant Species from the Vicinity of an As-Sb-Tl…