Pollution Research Paper

HEAVY METAL ACCUMULATION IMPACT ON LIPID PEROXIDATION IN HERBAGE FROM ANTHROPOGENIC AREAS OF TYUMEN, RUSSIA

ALEXANDER PETUKHOV, NIKOLAY KHRITOKHIN, GALINA PETUKHOVA AND TATYANA KREMLEVA

Abstract

The aim of this research was the establishment of the correlation between heavy metal content and lipid peroxidation products concentration in various species plants grown in an anthropogenic polluted urban environment. The investigation was conducted with meadow grass (Poa pratensis), red clover (Trifolium rubens), wild vetch (Vicia cracca), camomile (Matricaria chamomilla) and coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara). Plants were collected near the highway as well as close to metallurgical, engine, oil refinery and accumulator factories. The heavy metal determination in plants was carried out by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The lipid peroxidation products analysis was conducted by heptane extracts ultraviolet spectrophotometry. The species-specific plants’ ability to accumulate heavy metals was discovered, including outstanding coltsfoot capacity to accumulate Fe and Mn. Accumulation of heavy metals by plants from various districts of Tyumen decreased in the following order: Fe>Cu>Mn>Pb>Cd. The most intensive accumulation of all heavy metals was observed near the metallurgical plant. It was first revealed that the plants’ cell membrane damage reaction in urban environment conditions was species-specific. The lipid peroxidation products accumulation was observed in camomile, wild vetch and meadow grass cells, which indicates the pollutant toxic impact on the plants’ cells. The concentration of conjugated dienes and Schiff bases in red clover and coltsfoot cells was reduced, likely, due to the plants’ adaption to the pollution impact. The metallurgical factory influenced the lipid peroxidation process the most, oil refinery, engine and accumulator plants impact in a less degree. The correlation analysis between lipid peroxidation products concentration and heavy metal content revealed the coltsfoot and red clover stability on the biochemical level and development of oxidative processes in camomile cells in the urban environment conditions.