Published in Scientific Papers. Series E. Land Reclamation, Earth Observation & Surveying, Environmental Engineering, Vol. IX
Written by Violina ANGELOVA
Comparative research has been conducted to allow us to determine the content of heavy metals and chemical composition of wormwood oils, as well as to identify the possibility of wormwood growth on soils contaminated by heavy metals. The experimental plots were situated at different distances of 0.5 km, and 15 km, respectively, from the source of pollution the Non-Ferrous-Metal Works (MFMW) near Plovdiv, Bulgaria. On reaching flowering stage the wormwood plants were gathered. The content of heavy metals in leaves and flowering tips of wormwood were determined by ICP. The essential oils of the wormwood were obtained by steam distillation in laboratory conditions which were analysed for heavy metals and chemical composition was determined. Wormwood is a plant which is tolerant to heavy metals and can be grown on contaminated soils. Heavy metals do not affect the development of wormwood and the quality and quantity of oil obtained from it. Thirty-two components were identified in the oils. The main compounds of essential oi were as follows: β-Myrcene (2.24-28.20%), Sabinene (24.54-26.53%), Terpinene-4-ol (2.17-8.28%), beta-Linalool (2.24-6.27%), iso-Longifolol (4.40-5.59%), (E)-β-Caryophyllene (1.97-5.45%), Phytol (4.33-5.27%), γ-Terpinene (0.91-3.92%), Cembrene (1.24-2.72%), p-Cymene (0.11-2.50%), α-Terpinene (0.30-2.06%), Caryophyllene oxide (1.82-2.02%), β-Elemene (1.00-2.21%), α-14-hydroxy-Humulene (1.46-1.78%), α-Pinene (0.58- 1.18%), (E)-9-epi-Caryophyllene (0.94-1.07%), Lavandulol (0.62-1.11%), cis-Sabinene hydrate (0.17-1.04%). The compounds in the essential oil that decreased as a result of heavy metals pollution are β-Myrcene, Sabinene, beta- Linalool, (E)-β-Caryophyllene, Cembrene, β-Elemene, Lavandulol, and cis-Sabinene hydrate, while the Terpinene-4-ol, Phytol, γ-Terpinene, p-Cymene, α-Terpinene, α-Pinene, and (E)-9-epi-Caryophyllene significantly increased. The essential oil of wormwood can be a valuable product for the farmers from polluted regions.
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