Heavy metals in Pinus sylvestris I. wood infected with Heterobasidion annosum

Abstract

Retention of heavy metals in pine trees is an obviously negative on that occasion when accumulated contaminants may be transported in the human environment, wood or other parts of a tree through the fuel production, construction or furniture processing. There are no data on retention of heavy metals in pine trees touched by fungus diseases and rots. There is still no information how accumulated contaminants may affect tree diseases or how accumulation of contaminants in healthy pines may differ in those affected by fungus diseases or rots. The object of the research - Scotch pine (Pinus Sylvestris L.) was chosen after examination of the visual patterns of its disease: growth place, crown, trunk and branch condition, needles colour, appearance and cct. The pine tree grew in the Neris regional park (Lithuania), close to the planned regional waste landfill. The described investigations are the original in this type of research field and may be close to background values in the investigated region, especially in case of the waste landfill construction. Fungus were found in more then 80 % of the investigated tree rings, but pine wood rot productive fungus - Heterobasidion annosum - was determined in the only one tree ring. Apparently the investigated pine was slightly affected by this fungus. Growth and development of wood rot productive fungus had influence on the change of heavy metals concentrations as well. In 1959-1960 pine tree ring due to appearance of the wood rot productive fungi Heterobasidion annosum, concentrations ofNi and Cu were the largest ones during the investigated period. The aim of this study was to determine specific activities of heavy metals in fungus affected pine and evaluate contaminants' retention patterns.