ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Taxus baccata as a Bioindicator of Urban
Environmental Pollution
Aleksandra Samecka-Cymerman1, Krzysztof Kolon1, Alexander J. Kempers2
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1Department of Ecology, Biogeochemistry and Environmental Protection, Wrocław University,
Kanonia 6/8, 50-328 Wrocław, Poland
2Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Nijmegen,
Huygens building, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2011;20(4):1021-1027
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ABSTRACT
Concentrations of the elements Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, N, Ni, P, Pb, and Zn were measured
in needles and bark of Taxus baccata from the urban environment of Wrocław, Poland, and from a control site
relatively free from pollution. In Wrocław the concentrations of N, P, K, and Mg in needles were significantly
higher than in bark, but concentrations of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu Fe, Ni, and Zn were significantly higher in bark than
in needles. Concentration of Pb was comparable in needles and bark. The only exception was Mn, whose concentration
was significantly higher in needles. PCCA ordination confirmed the relationship between the elemental
concentrations in needle and bark, and the level of pollution. The most polluted needles and bark projected
more closely with Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, and Pb and, additionally, bark projected more closely with Zn.