The species of Silene compacta Fischer as indicator of zinc, iron and copper mineralization

The possibility of using the species Silene compacta Fischer (Caryophyllaceae) as a plant indicator for Zn, Fe and Cu is discussed in this paper. Rock and plant samples were collected from an area near Essimi, north-eastern Greece, which is known for its Cu–Pb–Zn mineralization and analyzed for their content in 14 elements (Fe, Mn, Ag, As, Cd, Co, Cu, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sn, Zn and V). The data illustrate positive linear correlation between the concentrations of Zn, Fe and Cu in plant ash and rock samples. In particular, these correlations are 0.99 for Zn, 0.97 for Fe and 0.97 for Cu and are significant at the 99.9% confidence level. Therefore, S. compacta could be used as a plant indicator for Zn, Fe and Cu mineralization.