Alternative Washing Protocols for Releasing Metals Deposited on Leaf Surfaces

This study was performed to test suitable washing protocols for removing potentially toxic elements (PTE) deposited on leaves of plants from metal mine tailings. Two experiments were performed; with five and four treatments, respectively. In both cases, a non-washed treatment was included too. All the washing protocols significantly (p ≤ 0.05) reduced PTE concentrations in leaves of <i>Dalea bicolor</i> and <i>Aliona choisyi. A. choisyi</i> leaves had higher PTE concentrations than those of <i>D. bicolor</i>. From the first experiment, the concentration of lead (Pb, mg/kg) in unwashed leaves of <i>A. choisyi</i> was 715; while in the washed leaves treatments, it was in the range of 142–308. For cadmium (Cd) it was 23 vs the range of 7–18, for copper (Cu) it was 210 vs the range of 35–115 and for zinc (Zn) it was 3398 vs the range of 777–380, respectively. The single use of water does not remove all PTE deposited in leaves and conduces to overestimation of PTE leaf concentrations. Washing effectiveness varied according to PTE, plant species and treatments, but not the time of washing. Cd was the least removed from leaf surface (up to 69%), while Cu and Zn were the most removed from <i>D. bicolor</i> leaves (98% to 100%). Treatments involving the use of diluted HCl and sodium hexametaphosphate had the highest removal of Pb and Zn, while diluted HCl was effective to release Cd and Cu from leaves. The conscious washing procedure before chemical analysis leaf PTE concentration might significantly modify PTE concentration and the perception of plant accumulation.