Uptake and distribution of Cu, Pb, and Zn in Tilia tomentosa Moench: plant tissue and urban soil interactions

Authors

  • Natalija Radulović Department of Ecology, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković” - National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8577-3309
  • Olivera Košanin Department of Forestry, Faculty of Forestry, University of Belgrade, Kneza Višeslava 1, 11030 Belgrade, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8292-3834
  • Dragana Pavlović Department of Ecology, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković” - National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3624-706X
  • Danijela Đunisijević Bojović Department of Landscape Architecture and Horticulture, Faculty of Forestry, University of Belgrade, Kneza Višeslava 1, 11030 Belgrade, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4926-0319
  • Marko Perović Department of Forestry, Faculty of Forestry, University of Belgrade, Kneza Višeslava 1, 11030 Belgrade, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1301-6904
  • Marijana Novaković Department of Forestry, Faculty of Forestry, University of Belgrade, Kneza Višeslava 1, 11030 Belgrade, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2669-8027
  • Snežana Jarić Department of Ecology, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković” - National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9356-7334
  • Dimitrije Sekulić Department of Ecology, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković” - National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7356-4638
  • Marija Matić Department of Ecology, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković” - National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4854-8628
  • Milica Jonjev Department of Ecology, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković” - National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9944-6840
  • Zorana Miletić Department of Ecology, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković” - National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3353-4810
  • Olga Kostić Department of Ecology, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković” - National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5892-0262

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2298/ABS250731027R

Keywords:

phytoremediation, Tilia tomentosa Moench, potentially toxic elements accumulation, bioconcentration and translocation factors, photosynthetic efficiency

Abstract

Paper description:

  • Trees contribute to urban ecosystem services.
  • This study analyzed Cu, Pb and Zn concentrations in Tilia tomentosa leaves, roots and associated soil (at 0-10cm and 10-30 cm) in an urban park, avenue and its natural habitat to test its vitality and phytoremediation potential.
  • Site-dependent variations were observed for all parameters, especially at the tree-lined avenue at both depths, with Pb and Zn concentrations >200 mg/kg and insignificant Pb soil-leaf transfer.
  • The study highlights the importance of species selection, as trees can affect soil’s chemical properties with urban green space planting, thus influencing soil functions and ecosystem service delivery.

Abstract: This study analyzed Cu, Pb, and Zn concentrations in roots and leaves of Tilia tomentosa Moench. and associated soil (at 0-10 cm and 10-30 cm) at Bulevar Nikola Tesla (BNT) and Park Ušće (PU) (Belgrade, Serbia), with Fruška Gora Mt. serving as the control. To evaluate its phytoremediation potential, the bioconcentration (BCFRoot and BCFLeaf) and translocation factors (TF) were calculated. Site-dependent variations were observed for all analyzed parameters, especially at BNT at both depths, with Pb and Zn concentrations greater than 200 mg/kg. Leaf Pb concentrations indicated insignificant soil-leaf transfer. Photosynthetic efficiency measurements in T. tomentosa showed similar mean values within the optimum range for plants at all sites (Fv/Fm > 0.800). This indicates high overall vitality in urban habitats with elevated concentrations of potentially toxic elements, as shown by the absence of statistically significant differences in mean chlorophyll fluorescence values between sites. There was a positive correlation between Cu and Zn levels and Fv/Fm in leaves from all analyzed sites. Thus, the species appears well-adapted to the uptake and accumulation of elements that are vital for optimal photosynthesis and other physiological processes, while photosynthetic efficiency is not significantly impacted by their occasional deficiency.

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2025-12-17

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Radulović N, Košanin O, Pavlović D, Đunisijević Bojović D, Perović M, Novaković M, Jarić S, Sekulić D, Matić M, Jonjev M, Miletić Z, Kostić O. Uptake and distribution of Cu, Pb, and Zn in Tilia tomentosa Moench: plant tissue and urban soil interactions. Arch Biol Sci [Internet]. 2025Dec.17 [cited 2026Jan.1];77(4):333-45. Available from: https://www.serbiosoc.org.rs/arch/index.php/abs/article/view/11342

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Vol. 77 No. 4 (2025)

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Copyright (c) 2025 Natalija Radulović, Olivera Košanin, Dragana Pavlović, Danijela Đunisijević Bojović, Marko Perović, Marijana Novaković, Snežana Jarić, Dimitrije Sekulić, Milica Jonjev, Marija Matić, Zorana Miletić, Olga Kostić

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