GEOC 18 |
| Bonang B. M. Nkoane1, Gerald M. Sawula1, and Grethe Wibetoe2. (1) Department of Chemistry, University of Botswana, Private Bag 0704, Gaborone, Botswana, (2) Department of Chemistry, Univeristy of Oslo, Oslo, Norway |
| Two plant species, Helichrysum condelleanum (HC) and Blepharis diversipinia (BD), from copper-nickel mineralized areas in Botswana were analysed for copper and nickel, using slurry sampling electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) methodology. Concentrations of copper and nickel accumulation in plants correlated with the concentrations found in the soils. Leaf to root metal concentration ratio was used to determine whether the plant species under investigation accumulated copper and/or nickel in the shoot. HC plant species accumulated the highest copper and nickel in the shoot when grown in soils with high Cu and Ni concentrations. Copper concentrations as high as 1 900 µg/g were found in the leaves of HC plant species. At high metal concentrations in the soil, copper in BD plant species was immobilized in the roots while nickel was translocated to the shoots. ), from copper-nickel mineralized locations in Botswana were analysed for copper and nickel, using slurry sampling electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) methodology. Concentrations of copper and nickel accumulation in plants correlated with the concentrations found in the soils. Leaf to root metal concentration ratio was used to determine whether the plant species under investigation accumulated copper and/or nickel in the shoot. HC plant species accumulated the highest copper and nickel in the shoot when grown in soils with high Cu and Ni concentrations. Copper concentrations as high as 1 900 µg/g were found in the leaves of HC plant species. At high metal concentrations in the soil, copper in BD plant species was immobilized in the roots while nickel was translocated to the shoots. |
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Chemistry of Metals in Terrestrial and Aquatic Systems
1:25 PM-5:05 PM, Sunday, March 28, 2004 Marriott -- Marquis NE, Oral
Division of Geochemistry |