Αn Investigation of the Biogeochemical Properties of the Plant Species Οriganum majorana in Relation to its Soil Characteristics

Water, Air, and Soil Pollution

Volume 227, Issue 5, 1 May 2016, Article number 152

Sazakli, E.^a, 

Panagopoulou, E.^b, 

Leotsinidis, M.^a, 

Kalavrouziotis, I.K.^c, 

Varnavas, S.P.^b 

 

^a  Laboratory of Public Health, Medical School, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
^b  Department of Geology, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
^c  School of Science and Technology, Hellenic Open University, Tsamadou 13-15 & Saint Andreas, Patras, Greece

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Abstract

A biogeochemical investigation was carried out on Origanum majorana grown on limestone substrate in Greece. Possible health risks from consumption of dried herbs and infusions were assessed. Macronutrients and essential and toxic metals were determined in the leaves of O. majorana plants and in their soil substrates. Toxic metals were measured in the herbal infusions. Macroelements were found generally in low concentrations for normally developing plants, except for Ca. The ratios N/P and N/K were found lower than the optimum range for normal growth, while the values of K/(Ca + Mg) ratio prevent the development of grass tetany. Manganese and arsenic were enriched in distinct samples. O. majorana plants can be used as indicators for soil environmental assessment. They can also be applied in phytoremediation methods in metal-polluted soils. Hazard indices were far below 1. Carcinogenic risks were found to be within the acceptable range. No health risk is anticipated by the consumption of the specific plants investigated in the present study. © 2016, Springer International Publishing Switzerland.

Author keywords

Metal uptake by plants; Plant properties and health risk assessment; Soil properties in plant nutrition; Οriganum majorana

Indexed keywords

Engineering controlled terms: Biogeochemistry; Bioremediation; Calcium; Health; Metals; Plants (botany); Risk assessment; Soil pollution; Soils; Substrates

Biogeochemical property; Environmental assessment; Majorana; Metal polluted soils; Metal uptake; Plant nutrition; Plant properties; Soil characteristics

Engineering main heading: Health risks

Species Index: Majorana; Origanum majorana

ISSN: 00496979 CODEN: WAPLASource Type: Journal Original language: English

DOI: 10.1007/s11270-016-2847-6Document Type: Article

Publisher: Springer International Publishing

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  Varnavas, S.P.; Department of Geology, University of Patras, Greece; email:s.p.varnavas@upatras.gr
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