Heavy metals accumulation in soil and plants of Polish peat bogs

Our study was carried out on three peat bogs that since the 1960s have been subjected to different degrees of anthropopression. The main objective of the research was assessment of heavy metal accumulation potential in peat bogs and in leaves of species growing on these peat bogs, namely Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), birch (Betula pendula Roth), and wild rosemary (Ledum palustre L.). The concentrations of lead and cadmium in peat of Bagno Bruch (the Upper Silesian Industrial Region) exceeded the permissible levels for soils of protected natural areas. Heavy metal concentrations in plants growing in all analyzed sites show no toxic levels. Among the examined species, birch showed the highest ability to accumulate cadmium and zinc.