Using Betula pendula and Telephora caryophyllea for soil pollution assessment

The concentrations of available arsenic, copper, lead, and zinc in the soil , and the concentration of these elements in vegetal tissues were measured. The most common species at the sites were studied. All the species that we re analyzed took up pollutants and could indicate polluted soil. However, a ll the studied species did not fit to map pollution. The birch (Betula pend ula) and most of the fungi species had still quite low concentrations in th eir tissues compared with the available concentrations in the sail. No dire ct correlation between the pollution content in the soil and in the vegetat ion tissues could be observed. Specimens of Thlaspi caerulescens were accum ulating zinc Of the four fungi species collected: only Thelephora caryophyl lea seemed to accumulate actively in the studied pollutants. Moreover, it w as possible to use an arsenic test with the fungi, which is also interestin g from the perspective of preliminary assessment of the degree of pollution . A qualitative judgement of the soil pollution is possible by examining th e plant material. To obtain a more quantitative and complete mapping, the m ethod has to be developed further and completed with other investigations w hen vegetation is missing.