The Influence of Zn and Cd Accumulation on the Growth and Development of Medicinal Plants in the Impact Zone of the Novocherkassk Power Station

Over the pastdecade, particular attention has been paid to studies of the chemical composition of medical plants to identify the possible negative consequences of using raw plant material polluted with heavy metals for the production of medical drugs. In our study, we analyzed the chemical composition of the medical plants growing in the impact area of the Novocherkassk power station. Specifically, the plants Artemisia austriaca, Poa pratensis and Elytrigia repenswere examined for the analysis.The content and distribution of Zn and Cd, which are most distributed in industrial emissions and belong to the first class of hazardous elements, were measured. The maximum permissible content (MPC) of Zn in the raw material of Artemisia austriaca and Elytrigia repens was found, as was the maximum content of Cd in all analyzed plants growing in the 5km area around thepower station. The plant Artemisia austriacawasfound to have Zn and Cd accumulation in itsabovegroundcomponents, while in Poa pratensis and Elytrigia repens, accumulation was in the roots. The morphobiometric parameters of the plants were mostly dependent on the soil properties, followed by the degree of technogenic load. The content of Zn and Cd in the medical drugs was higher than the MPC without visible features of heavy metal pollution and so these plants weredangerous for human health. Keywords: heavy metals, technogenic load, phytoreagents, morphometric parameter