Relationship between the geological environment and element accumulation capacity of Helichrysum arenarium

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the effect of geological environment on the biogeochemical properties of Helichrysum arenarium. Plant samples from Upper Cretaceous andesite, basalt, and their pyroclasts; Eocene andesite, basalt, and their pyroclasts; and Upper Eocene granitic rocks were collected. Roots, stems, and flowers of the plant were analyzed to determine their major and trace elements, such as Ca, Mg, Al, Na, K, Fe, Mn, U, Sr, P, La, Cr, Ba, Ti, B, W, Hg, Cs, Hf, Rb, Zr, and Ce. This study is one of the few studies in which the element content of H. arenarium is studied in detail and the element accumulation capacities are examined according to the types of rocks the plants grow. Result showed that the plants exhibited different element accumulation capacities according to the lithological environments where they grew. The element concentrations in the root, stem, and flower of the plant were predominantly high in Eocene andesite, basalt, and pyroclasts. High values were also observed in plants grown on the Upper Eocene granitic rock. Some elements were also high in plants grown in the Upper Cretaceous andesite, basalt, and pyroclasts. Therefore, the high element contents of plant are related to the element contents of the rocks where the plants grew. Furthermore, the alteration and tectonic influences on the plants are also influential.