The ecogenotoxic plant biomonitoring of a long-term polluted area in central Slovakia

Abstract

The aim of the study was to analyze, update, and complete the results of research in the field of in situ phytoindication of environmental genotoxicity near the aluminum plant in Žiar nad Hronom in central Slovakia. The authors focused on two methodologies: pollen abortivity assay of native flora and Trad-MCN assay. Comparison of changes in responses of living systems to changes in precipitation was conducted, and it suggests that there is an existence of an impact from a dilution effect to the plants. Also, the gradual increase of pollen abortivity in the 1990s and its decrease from 2009 were observed in a majority of species of wild flora. On an annual basis, abortivity has declined, although it has risen up slightly within each season. Despite a gradual decrease in the micronucleus frequency, the study area is still influenced by the ecogenotoxic factors. Pollen analysis of native flora and introduced Tradescantia plants indicates the long-time presence of ecogenotoxicity in this region due to the presence of aluminum plant.