Which trace elements are accumulated in fronds of the Athyrium filix-femina fern? a study from the Czech Republic

A screening test using XRF spectroscopy was done to map element concentrations in fronds of the Athyrium filix-femina fern growing at 244 coniferous forest plots across the Czech Republic. In the next step, 45 elements in fronds of the ferns coming from selected sites with contrasting geological and climatic conditions were determined using prevalently ICP-OES and ICP-MS methods. To our knowledge, such a number of elements analyzed is unprecedented in literature data of this important fern species. Element contents of forest floor humus, topsoil and subsoil from the same sites were adopted from previously performed analyses. To estimate element uptake and accumulation by ferns, the element distribution in fern fronds was correlated with that of soil covers and with selected site-specific factors. Bioconcentration and enrichment factors referred to the element contents in forest floor humus and soil were used for estimation of fern abilities to accumulate elements in fronds. Besides accumulation of macronutrients, fern fronds moderately accumulated Ba, Cd, Hg, Mo, Mn, Ni, Zn and mainly lanthanides (REEs). Only several of the trace elements concentrated in granites (Rb, Cs, Be, Tl, U) have significant positive correlation between contents in fronds and those in mineral soil. Anthropogenic pollution was mainly relevant for Fe in the Ostrava industrial region.