Balancing phytoremediation and food safety: Assessing heavy metal accumulation in selected plants from two localities in Serbia

This study explored the relationship between soil properties and heavy metal concentrations in soil and selected plants from Kopaonik National Park and the Aleksandrovac municipality in Serbia. Soil samples were analyzed for texture, basic chemical properties, and the plant-available fraction of various metals, while plant material was assessed for macroand microelement content. Significant differences were observed between the localities, both in soil properties and plant metal accumulation. Prunus domestica L. exhibited strong bioaccumulation efficiency for most microelements, making it a significant candidate for phytoremediation. Notable accumulation of sodium, potassium, iron, nickel, copper, zinc, and chromium was observed in Capsicum annuum L., while Juniperus communis L. efficiently accumulated magnesium, calcium, manganese, molybdenum, and cobalt. Due to their capacity to bioaccumulate heavy metals, especially cadmium, these species highlight a dual role in phytoremediation efforts and underscore the need for careful agricultural management to mitigate consumer health risks in contaminated areas.