322
2
Methods
v. Banasova
Investigations were carried out under field conditions on mine spoil heaps and in
the vicinity of the smelter.
2.1
Mine Spoil Heaps
The cover of plant species was estimated using methods of phytosociological
releves according Braun-Blanquet (1964). The soil samples were taken from the
rhizosphere (0-5 em), oven-dried and sieved through a 2-mm sieve. Total N was
analyzed using Kjehldahl, oxidizable carbon Cox using the Walkley-Black
methods. Plant and soil samples were oven-dried and ground for analyses of
heavy metals. Total Hg content was determined using cold vapour analysis
(CVAA). Total Cu in soil and plants (dry matter) was analyzed after wet digestion
(concentrated nitric and sulphuric acids 3:2) using flame AAS.
2.2
Smelter
The study of Calamagrostis epigeios populations was carried out during smelter
operations.
The Calamagrostis epigeios populations were analyzed on seven plots of 1 m 2
at different distances from the smelter. Within each plot the following
determinations were carried out:
• total Hg content in soils using CV AA analysis,
• total above ground biomass of C. epigeios/plot, biomass of C. epigeios panicles/
plot,
• number of panicles,
• size and weight were measured on 30 panicles on each plot.
Vegetation structure of plant communities was studied on the transect from
the smelter in the direction of prevailing winds in the time, after smelter activity
stopped.
The study of plant communities was carried out on five sites at different
distances from the smelter. On each site the phytosociological reI eves were
recorded according to Braun-Blanquet (1964).
Soils samples from a depth of 0-5 em and samples of above ground parts of
plants were taken on the sites where vegetation releves were recorded. The Hg
concentrations were measured using CV AA analysis and copper by AAS. Sulphur
content was determined by LECO analyzer, while pH (H2 0) was measured by
potentiometer.
2
Methods
v. Banasova
Investigations were carried out under field conditions on mine spoil heaps and in
the vicinity of the smelter.
2.1
Mine Spoil Heaps
The cover of plant species was estimated using methods of phytosociological
releves according Braun-Blanquet (1964). The soil samples were taken from the
rhizosphere (0-5 em), oven-dried and sieved through a 2-mm sieve. Total N was
analyzed using Kjehldahl, oxidizable carbon Cox using the Walkley-Black
methods. Plant and soil samples were oven-dried and ground for analyses of
heavy metals. Total Hg content was determined using cold vapour analysis
(CVAA). Total Cu in soil and plants (dry matter) was analyzed after wet digestion
(concentrated nitric and sulphuric acids 3:2) using flame AAS.
2.2
Smelter
The study of Calamagrostis epigeios populations was carried out during smelter
operations.
The Calamagrostis epigeios populations were analyzed on seven plots of 1 m 2
at different distances from the smelter. Within each plot the following
determinations were carried out:
• total Hg content in soils using CV AA analysis,
• total above ground biomass of C. epigeios/plot, biomass of C. epigeios panicles/
plot,
• number of panicles,
• size and weight were measured on 30 panicles on each plot.
Vegetation structure of plant communities was studied on the transect from
the smelter in the direction of prevailing winds in the time, after smelter activity
stopped.
The study of plant communities was carried out on five sites at different
distances from the smelter. On each site the phytosociological reI eves were
recorded according to Braun-Blanquet (1964).
Soils samples from a depth of 0-5 em and samples of above ground parts of
plants were taken on the sites where vegetation releves were recorded. The Hg
concentrations were measured using CV AA analysis and copper by AAS. Sulphur
content was determined by LECO analyzer, while pH (H2 0) was measured by
potentiometer.