Investigations Concerning Heavy Metals Dynamics in Reynoutria japonica Houtt.-Soil Interactions

Reynoutria japonica Houtt (RJ) is an extremely invasive plant species, found nowadays in a wide range of habitats, including those polluted with heavy metals (HM). The aim of this study was to investigate HM dynamics in RJ–soil interactions in five habitats historically polluted with HM located in Baia Mare city, Romania. The concentrations of major metal elements (Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn) in plant tissues (roots, stems, leaves) and soil samples collected from the study sites were analyzed via portable ED-XRF spectroscopy (converted), and the translocation factor (TF) and bioconcentration factor (BCF) were calculated. The mean values of HM in soil samples collected from the study sites exceeded the threshold limit values established by Romanian legislation. Generally, the highest concentration of Cd was recorded in the above-ground part of the plant (stem and leaves), while for Cu, Pb and Zn, the highest values (with few exceptions) were recorded in the root. The metal transfer was highly effective from soil to RJ, such that all four of the HM studied exceeded the normal range of metals in a plant. Analysis of metal concentrations in plant tissues showed an efficient movement of Cd and Zn to the above-ground parts of the plant, a tendency particularly pronounced in the case of Cd (TF and BCF > 1), while Pb was the least bioaccumulated HM. It may be concluded that RJ is able to tolerate high concentrations of HM, being a good phytoextractor for Cd and Zn.