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The aim of the present study was to analyze the chemical composition of parsley, parsnip, carrot, and celeriac cultivated at different localities (urban, or suburban/village). The concentrations of heavy metals (cadmium, nickel, chromium) and essential elements (potassium, sodium, calcium, phosphorus) in edible plant parts were determined. Human health risks associated with chronic consumption of potentially contaminated vegetables were assessed through the use of hazard quotients. The concentrations of heavy metals and essential elements in the edible parts of the tested plants varied among plant species, cultivation locality and plant organ (leaf/root). Carrots showed the lowest levels of cadmium, nickel, and chromium accumulation, while the highest concentrations were measured for parsley leaves, with respect to average values. Metal pollution index values obtained for cities were lower than those obtained for some villages and a suburban settlement. The hazard quotient revealed the highest values for cadmium. Positive Pearson's correlation between chromium and nickel was found in many cases. Principal component analysis indicated differences in plants ability to accumulate certain nutrients and pollutants, while sample diversification was closely related to growth site properties. We sincerely hope that the present study will inspire similar investigations in other developing countries, as well as in the Western Balkans region, to obtain broader insight into vegetable food safety and local human health risk. Considering that food quality and safety are major concerns, our results should inform the relevant government authorities and provide a foundation for implementation of a system of controls over cultivation processes and vegetable quality in Serbia., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Willow species (Salix L.) are a useful tool for assessing phytostabilization of the sites polluted by heavy metals. Phytostabilization potential of two willow genotypes (Salix alba L. clone '68/53/1' and Salix nigra Marshall clone '0408') has been evaluated in a 45-day hydroponic experiment, using stem cuttings (diameter 12 to 14 mm, length 20 cm) exposed to two concentrations (10 -4  M and 10 -5  M) of individually applied Cd, Ni, and Pb. Metals were diluted in 25% Hoagland's solution, in forms of CdCl 2 ·H 2 O, NiSO 4 ·6H 2 O, and Pb-EDTA. The control group of cuttings was grown in 25% Hoagland's solution without heavy metals. High Cd concentrations in willow roots, 8637 mg/kg (clone '68/53/1') and 6728 mg/kg of dry weight (clone '0408'), have indicated a high phytostabilization potential. However, detailed analyses of cross-sectional area of the root cortex and the central cylinder revealed that the excess concentration of Cd led to a significant reduction of measured anatomical root's traits of clone '68/53/1' in comparison with the control samples. Excessive concentration of Ni and Pb in nutrient solution increased the values of quantitatively measured root's traits of clone '0408', implying stimulatory effects of the applied concentrations. Concentration of 10 -4  M of each metal had more negative effects on the roots' anatomical traits, notably on parenchymal and exodermal cells and vessels. Deposits of metals were observed in root tissues. Clone '0408' demonstrated an increased tolerance to heavy metals, which could potentially make this clone useful in phytostabilization.

Continuous monitoring of heavy metal content in vegetables is of high priority for population nutrition control, as well as risk assessment for human health. The chemical composition of plants is a reliable indicator of their contamination by hazardous substances accumulated in the environment as a consequence of inadequately applied agro-technology. The main goal of this study was to examine the quality of vegetables that reach consumer markets as a function of growth location. Samples of 11 of the most common vegetable species used in the human diet were collected during a 4-year survey. Vegetables originated from local farm producers who cultivated them at different locations in Vojvodina Province, Serbia. Many vegetable samples contained disturbingly high levels of the investigated metals: cadmium, lead, nickel, and chromium. The plant species with the highest Cd accumulation was spinach, where Cd leaves exceeded the maximum permissible concentrations (MPCs) in more than half of the analyzed samples from different localities (54%). Pb concentrations in spinach were also higher than MPC values (according to Serbian law 3.0 μg/g) in 46% of all analyzed samples. Results showed that Cr levels in all tested vegetable species were below MPC values recommended by the FAO/WHO organization. The largest chromium accumulator was spinach, with average values of 2.3 μg/g, followed by beetroot and parsnips with an average concentration of 1.4 μg/g. The highest average content of Ni in all analyzed vegetable species was also recorded in spinach leaves, with an average value of 2.2 μg/g, followed by broccoli (1.7 μg/g) and tomatoes (1.5 μg/g).