Abstract:
The aim of this research is to
evaluate the ability of Lavandula
angustifolia Mill. (LA) to accumulate and
translocate heavy metals (HMs) from
disturbed soils. The study was conducted on
a site historically polluted with HMs, located
in Baia Mare, Romania. Soil samples and
underground (root) and aboveground parts of
plants (leaves and stems) were collected
from the study site and analysed for HM
content (Pb, Cu, Cd, and Zn) by XRF
spectroscopy. The potential for
phytoremediation of lavender was evaluated
according to the bioconcentration (BCF) and
the translocation (TF) factors. The results
showed that LA efficiently accumulated Cd
and Zn. A different partitioning of HM
among plant tissues was observed, showing
the highest content in the aboveground mass
compared to that found in the root (except
for Zn). The TF ranged between 0.62 and
3.59, with values higher than unity for Cd
and Pb, revealing that this plant is a suitable
candidate for phytoextraction of these two
trace elements. According to the BCF
values, it seems that lavender is able to
bioaccumulate high amounts of Cd (6.66),
Pb (1.09), and Zn (2.87). Although more
research is necessary for conclusive results,
our findings confirm the ability of
Lavandula angustifolia Mill. to tolerate,
accumulate, and translocate high levels of
HMs from soil to the aerial parts of the plant.
