Biogeochemical study of areas of sulphide mineralisation in eastern Thrace, Greece.

The uptake of copper, lead and zinc by plants in several areas of sulphide mineralisation in eastern Thrace, Greece, has been studied. Two indicator plants for sulphide deposits in central Macedonia,Rumex acetosella L. andMinuartia verna (L.) Hiern, have not been found on Thracian soils high in sulphides. However, the widespread speciesHypericum perforatum L. andScleranthus perennis L. are tolerant of the elevated metal levels in these soils. AlthoughH. perforatum is not useful as a biogeochemical indicator, the levels of Cu, Pb and Zn inS. perennis were found to be strongly correlated with the corresponding concentrations in the soil.