Vegetation on Contaminated Sites near an Hg Mine and Smelter
327
pH (7.4-7.9). Due to S02 emissions, soil pH decreased to extreme values (4.6-4.0)
in the surroundings of the smelter.
3.2.2
Contamination of Plants
Notable contamination of aboveground parts of plants by mercury, copper and
sulphur was found. The aboveground parts of trees, shrubs and forbs growing in
the surroundings of the smelter were analyzed. High amounts of mercury and
copper were found in the leaves of birch (Betula pendula) and in the aboveground parts of Calamagrostis epigeios and Coronilla varia (Fig. 4).
3.2.3
The Influence of the Hg Smelter on Plant Populations
The impact of air pollution on Coronilla varia populations (Banasova and Holub
1993) near the Hg smelter was studied. A reduction in leaf size of C. varia and
fruit (loment) size, and total absence of blossoms were observed on highly
contaminated sites near the smelter. The vitality of a C. varia population, at a
Fig. 4. Maximum total Hg concentration in aboveground part
of plants growing around the
smelter
~
g
50
40
E
~30
"
Ol
~20
.s
Ol
I 10
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
1. Betula pendula
2. Picea abies
3. Sorbus aucuparia
4. Rubus idaeus
5. Calamagrostis epigeios
6. Coronilla varia
7. Senecio fuchsii
8. Hypericum perforatum