Summary
The upper critical concentrations of several heavy metals were determined in sitka-spruce (Picea sitchensis) following the method of Beckett and Davis.1 The values obtained (mg kg−1 of dry matter) were Cd (4.8), Ni (5.8), Pb (19), Cu (88) and Zn (226). It has been shown that nickel might be present at sufficiently enhanced levels in the foliar tissues of trees in certain forest areas of South Wales to affect normal functioning and growth. The cadmium foliar levels approach but do not exceed the critical Cd level, but may possibly have some impact considering the additivity of toxic effects of heavy metals. Lead, copper and zinc would seem to present no risk as their foliar levels are well below the critical levels.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Explore related subjects
Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Beckett P H T and Davis R D 1977 Upper critical levels of toxic elements in plants. New Phytol. 79, 95–106.
Beckett P H T and Davis R D (1978) The additivity of the toxic effects of Cu, Ni and Zn in young barley. New Phytol. 81, 155–173.
Burton K W and John E D 1977 A study of heavy metal contamination in the Rhondda Fawr, South Wales. Water, Air and Soil Pollut. 7, 45–68.
Carlson R W and Bazzaz F A 1977 Growth reduction in American Sycamore caused by Pb-Cd interaction. Environ. Poll. 12, 243–253.
Davis R D and Beckett P H T 1978 Upper critical levels of toxic elements in plants. New Phytol. 80, 23–42.
Davis R D and Carlton-Smith C 1980 Crops as indicators of the significance of contamination of soil by heavy metals. Water Research Centre Technical Report TR 140, 42 p.
Finney D J 1947 Probit Analysis. Cambridge University Press, London.
Goodman G T and Roberts T M 1971 Plants and soil as indicators of metals in the air. Nature, London 231, 287–292.
Ingestad T 1959 Studies on the nutrition of forest tree seedlings 2 mineral nutrition of spruce. Physiol. Plant. 12, 568–593.
Jones G E 1970 An investigation into the possible causes of poor growth of sitka-spruce, Margam Forest, Glamorgan, Research Papers in Forest Meteorology Symposium 13, 147–156.
Malone C D, Koeppe D E and Miller R J, 1974 Localization of lead accumulated by corn plants. Plant Physiol. 53, 388–394.
Phipps D A 1981 Effects of Heavy Metal Pollution on Plants, 352 p. Ed. N W Lepp. Chap. 1, 1–54.
Wakeman D 1980Pers. Commun. Alice Holt Lodge, Forestry Commission, Farnham, Surrey, Great Britain.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Burton, K.W., Morgan, E. & Roig, A. The influence of heavy metals upon the growth of sitka-spruce in South Wales forests. Plant Soil 73, 327–336 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02184309
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02184309