Seasonal variation of rare earth elements in Taraxacum officinale as an indicator of changes in urban pollution

Abstract Taraxacum officinale has been identified as a potential rare earth elements (REEs) accumulator, making it a promising bioindicator for urban environment. However, the influence of seasonal variation on the bioavailability, transport, and accumulation of REEs in plant tissues remains poorly...

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Main Authors: Marta Lisiak-Zielińska, Klaudia Borowiak, Anna Budka, Patrycja Mleczek, Arlinda Cakaj, Jolanta Kanclerz, Anetta Hanć
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-08-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-15371-4
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author Marta Lisiak-Zielińska
Klaudia Borowiak
Anna Budka
Patrycja Mleczek
Arlinda Cakaj
Jolanta Kanclerz
Anetta Hanć
author_facet Marta Lisiak-Zielińska
Klaudia Borowiak
Anna Budka
Patrycja Mleczek
Arlinda Cakaj
Jolanta Kanclerz
Anetta Hanć
author_sort Marta Lisiak-Zielińska
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Taraxacum officinale has been identified as a potential rare earth elements (REEs) accumulator, making it a promising bioindicator for urban environment. However, the influence of seasonal variation on the bioavailability, transport, and accumulation of REEs in plant tissues remains poorly understood. This knowledge gap is crucial, especially in the context of development of reliable bioindicators for urban pollution and managing urban ecosystems sustainably. The aim of this study was to evaluate seasonal changes in the content and distribution of Sc, Y and 14REEs in soils and dandelion roots and leaves from urban areas. Ten research sites typical for urbanised areas were designated and samples of soils and plants were collected in the spring and autumn season. The assessment of the level of studied elements combined with statistical analysis was performed. Variation in REEs accumulation in soil was found. Due to the lack of heavy industry in the city, the major source of REEs contamination in soils might be related to transportation and local agrotechnical and nutrition treatments. Our research on dandelion showed a decrease in REEs content in roots and leaves during autumn compared to spring. Slightly higher translocation efficiency was observed in autumn, possibly due to the plant’s age and tolerance mechanism.
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spelling doaj-art-39865800ea5b424cb5d72df1845a96642025-08-20T04:02:56ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-08-0115111210.1038/s41598-025-15371-4Seasonal variation of rare earth elements in Taraxacum officinale as an indicator of changes in urban pollutionMarta Lisiak-Zielińska0Klaudia Borowiak1Anna Budka2Patrycja Mleczek3Arlinda Cakaj4Jolanta Kanclerz5Anetta Hanć6Department of Ecology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, Poznań University of Life SciencesDepartment of Ecology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, Poznań University of Life SciencesDepartment of Construction and Geoengineering, Faculty of Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, Poznań University of Life SciencesDepartment of Ecology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, Poznań University of Life SciencesDepartment of Ecology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, Poznań University of Life SciencesDepartment of Land Improvement, Environmental Development and Spatial Management, Faculty of Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, Poznań University of Life SciencesDepartment of Trace Analysis, Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz UniversityAbstract Taraxacum officinale has been identified as a potential rare earth elements (REEs) accumulator, making it a promising bioindicator for urban environment. However, the influence of seasonal variation on the bioavailability, transport, and accumulation of REEs in plant tissues remains poorly understood. This knowledge gap is crucial, especially in the context of development of reliable bioindicators for urban pollution and managing urban ecosystems sustainably. The aim of this study was to evaluate seasonal changes in the content and distribution of Sc, Y and 14REEs in soils and dandelion roots and leaves from urban areas. Ten research sites typical for urbanised areas were designated and samples of soils and plants were collected in the spring and autumn season. The assessment of the level of studied elements combined with statistical analysis was performed. Variation in REEs accumulation in soil was found. Due to the lack of heavy industry in the city, the major source of REEs contamination in soils might be related to transportation and local agrotechnical and nutrition treatments. Our research on dandelion showed a decrease in REEs content in roots and leaves during autumn compared to spring. Slightly higher translocation efficiency was observed in autumn, possibly due to the plant’s age and tolerance mechanism.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-15371-4DandelionSoil-plant relationsCityBioaccumulationElements’ translocation
spellingShingle Marta Lisiak-Zielińska
Klaudia Borowiak
Anna Budka
Patrycja Mleczek
Arlinda Cakaj
Jolanta Kanclerz
Anetta Hanć
Seasonal variation of rare earth elements in Taraxacum officinale as an indicator of changes in urban pollution
Scientific Reports
Dandelion
Soil-plant relations
City
Bioaccumulation
Elements’ translocation
title Seasonal variation of rare earth elements in Taraxacum officinale as an indicator of changes in urban pollution
title_full Seasonal variation of rare earth elements in Taraxacum officinale as an indicator of changes in urban pollution
title_fullStr Seasonal variation of rare earth elements in Taraxacum officinale as an indicator of changes in urban pollution
title_full_unstemmed Seasonal variation of rare earth elements in Taraxacum officinale as an indicator of changes in urban pollution
title_short Seasonal variation of rare earth elements in Taraxacum officinale as an indicator of changes in urban pollution
title_sort seasonal variation of rare earth elements in taraxacum officinale as an indicator of changes in urban pollution
topic Dandelion
Soil-plant relations
City
Bioaccumulation
Elements’ translocation
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-15371-4
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