The chemical composition of spruce and beech foliage as an environmental indicator in Slovakia

Concentrations of 26 individual elements were determined in 2-year-old needles of P. abies from 1118 plots and leaves of F. sylvatica from 578 plots in Slovakia (in network of 4×4 km). The foliage content (median) in P. abies [F. sylvatica] was in mg.kg−1: Al 99[101]; As 0.22 [0.27]; Ba 41[81]; Be 0.04 [0.02]; Ca 6718 [12333]; Cd 0.15 [0.17]; Co 0.11 [0.08]; Cr 0.46 [0.60]; Cu 3.8 [8.8]; F 6.2 [5.9]; Fe 88 [139]; Hg 0.07 [0.08]; K 5882 [9407]; Li 0.13 [0.13]; Mg 874 [1753]; Mn 807 [794]; N 15300 [17800]; Na 26 [52]; Ni 2 [2.9]; Pb 1.2 [2.0]; Rb 7 [9]; S 1750 [2090]; Se 0.04 [0.05]; Sr 15.3[25]; V 0.2 [0.3] and Zn 38[33]. Maximum values of fluor and heavy metals in foliage of P. abies were found in industrial areas.