Taxus baccata as a Bioindicator of Urban Environmental Pollution

Concentrations of the elements Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, N, Ni, P, Pb, and Zn were measured in needles and bark of Taxus baccata from the urban environment of Wrocław, Poland, and from a control site relatively free from pollution. In Wrocław the concentrations of N, P, K, and Mg in needles were significantly higher than in bark, but concentrations of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu Fe, Ni, and Zn were significantly higher in bark than in needles. Concentration of Pb was comparable in needles and bark. The only exception was Mn, whose concentration was significantly higher in needles. PCCA ordination confirmed the relationship between the elemental concentrations in needle and bark, and the level of pollution. The most polluted needles and bark projected more closely with Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, and Pb and, additionally, bark projected more closely with Zn.