Taraxacum officinale as a biomonitor of metals and toxic elements (Plovdiv, Bulgaria)

I. Velcheva, S. Petrova, L. Yurukova

Abstract: The content of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn in aboveground and underground phytomass samples of complex Taraxacum officinale, collected from seven selected sites with different anthropogenic activity in the town of Plovdiv (Bulgaria), was analyzed and assessed. This plant species is widely used for herbal remedy therefore the results were compared with Bulgarian hygiene norms for contaminants in foods. Significantly elevated concentrations of Cd and Cr in all samples, also of Pb and Ni in the most of samples, were registered, which may represent a risk for humans.

Keywords: biomonitoring; heavy metals; Taraxacum officinale; toxic elements

Date published: 2019-03-25