Environmental assessment of the effects of a municipal landfill on the content and distribution of heavy metals in Tanacetum vulgare L.

Heavy metal pollution is an important concern because of its potential to affect human health. This study was conducted to analyze plants growing on a landfill body and in its surroundings to determine their potential for heavy metal accumulation. In addition, the enrichment coefficient (EC) for the plant/soil system was used for determining the environmental contamination from a landfill in terms of heavy metal accumulation. The samples were taken in 2013-2014. Of the analyzed metals, iron achieved the highest values in the samples, i.e. - stalk (103.4-6564.6 mg/kg DM), roots (6563.6-33,036.6 mg/kg DM), leaf (535.1-11,275 mg/kg DM) and soil (12,389-39,381.9 mg/kg DM). The highest concentrations were determined in 2013 for Fe, Mn and Zn. Iron achieved the highest concentrations in the years 2013-2014. Next, EC values were then calculated, with the highest noted for Cd. Cd, as well as Cr, Ni and Zn are accumulated mostly in the leaves, whereas Co, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn and Pb are accumulated mainly in the roots of T. vulgare.