THE MOBILITY OF METALS IN THE SOIL-PLANT SYSTEM IN MANIPULATED CATCHMENTS - PLANT-SPECIES SUITABLE FOR BIOMONITORING OF CD, PB, ZN, AND RB

The uptake and mobility of metals in naturally growing plant species w ere studied in catchments subjected to long-term experimental changes in soil acidification. The resulting data were used to assess the pote ntial of different plants for monitoring purposes. Vaccinium vitis-ida ea appeared suitable as a monitor of acidification in terrestrial ecos ystems, based on its uptake of rubidium, and also for soil lead contam ination. Salix phylicifolia appeared to be a sensitive monitor to dete ct soil cadmium contamination, whereas Vaccinium myrtillus was more su itable for detecting temporal changes in deposition of airborne cadmiu m. None of the species studied seemed suitable for monitoring soil zin c contamination, possibly because zinc is an essential element for pla nts and is subject to active uptake.