Accumulation of selected heavy metals by different genotypes of Salix

The aim of this study was to assess the accumulation of seven heavy metals (lead, cadmium, copper, zinc, chrome, nickel and cobalt). The investigations were conducted on twelve genotypes of willows which grow in the Potasze Forest Division Salicarium. The analysis facilitated quantification of concentrations of selected metals in plants and their comparison in relation to sorption ability of each willow genotype. Simultaneously the studies allowed us to demonstrate essential differentiation of metal size sorption within the species Salix purpurea and in relation to the other genotypes. The results confirm the complexity of factors influencing the efficiency of heavy metal accumulation by willow; they indicate increasing ion absorption in the case of some metals, while the accumulation of other heavy metal ions was limited.