Accumulation of Toxic Elements by Plants Growing in the Area of the Srednegolgotaisky Gold Deposit of the Trans-Baikal Territory

A study was conducted to investigate the peculiarities of the accumulation of chemical elements by wild plant species and to determine the content of chemical elements in plants capable of causing harm to human and animal health. The research was carried out in June 2021 at nine test plots located in natural and ruderal communities in the area of the Srednegolgotaisky gold deposit in the Trans-Baikal Territory. The content of toxic elements (As, Ba, Be, Bi, Cd, Hg, Pb, Sb, and Tl) in the soil and the following plant species was considered: drooping birch (Betula pendula), single-flowered cephalophorus (Stemmacantha uniflora), alternate-leaved valerian (Valeriana alternifolia), fragrant melilot (Melilotus suaveolens), eastern strawberry (Fragaria orientalis), tuberous honeysuckle (Phlomoides tuberosa), small daylily (Hemerocallis minor), Keiske's lily of the valley (Convallaria keiskei), rowan-leaved potentilla (Potentilla tanacetifolia), calico larch (Lespedeza juncea), Gmelin's larix (Larix gmelinii), six-petaled clematis (Clematis hexapetala), spear-headed parasenecio (Parasenecio hastatus), lanceolate thermopsis (Thermopsis lanceolata), Daurian thyme (Thymus dahuricus). Soil sampling was carried out in accordance with the requirements of GOST 17.4.3.01-2017. Plant samples were collected in compliance with the normative requirements of OFS.1.1.0005.15. The results of the study show that the soils in the area of the Srednegolgotaisky deposit contain anomalously high amounts of As, Bi, Hg, Pb, and Sb. Element concentrations have been identified in plants that could negatively affect human and animal health.