CONCENTRATION OF ZYNC, CUPRUM AND CADMIUM IN DIFFERENT TYPES OF MEDICAL PLANTS GROWING IN THE IRTYSH AND OB FLOODPLAINS
The researchers explored the concentration of heavy metals (Zn, Cu and Cd) in medical plants growing in the floodplains of the Irtysh (Semey, Ozerki) and the Ob (Berdsk) in order to investigate the effect of medical plants in the sphere of treatment. The research was carried out in 2013-2016 by means of field and laboratory methods. The research has shown that zync concentration varies from 14.2 to 80.7 mg/kg and averaged 44.3 mg/kg; cuprum concentration varied from 2.0 to 9.7 and averaged 5.6; cadmium concentration varied from 0.05 to 0.39 and averaged 0.18 mg/kg. The average data on heavy metals concentration is Zn - 44.3 mg/kg; Cu - 5.6; and Cd - 0.18 mg/kg. The researchers observed the excess of maximum permissible levels regardless the plot of the floodplain in some kinds of medical plants as garden burnet (Sanguisorba officinalis L. (Zn = 75.8 mg/kg), horse gowan Matricaria recutita L. (Zn = 72.6 mg/kg), common tansy Tanacetum vulgare L. (Cu = 9.3 mg/kg, Cd = 0.29 mg/kg), melilot Melilotus officinalis L. Desr. (Cu = 9.1 mg/kg, Cd = 0.27 mg/kg). The authors make conclusion that these medical plants concentrate heavy metals (common tansy and melilot concentrate both Cu and Cd) and cannot be recommended for application. The paper highlights the varieties with minimal concentration of heavy metals: common licorice Glycyrrhiza glabra L. and wild chicory Cichorium intybus L. (Zn = 17.3 mg/kg), alant Inula helenium L. (Cu = 2.3 mg/kg), absinth sage Artemisia absinthium L. (Cu = 2.6 mg/kg), milk gowan Taraxacum officinale Wigg. and cow clover Trifolium pratense L. (Cd = 0.12 mg/kg). These medical plants should be recommended for harvesting, storage and application as their higher application in treatment is not risky for health.