PHYTOTOXICITY OF SOIL IN THE VICINITY OF COPPER SMELTER “GŁOGÓW”

Smelters are harmful for environment causing water and soil contamination or deflation of dust which contains heavy metals. As limited information is available on the toxicity of copper smelter “Głogów” to plants the paper presents a bioevalution of such a possible influence. The samples were taken from three sampling points situated in the environs of the city of Głogów (Lower Silesia). Toxicity tests were carried out at producers trophic levels (phytotoxicity tests) under laboratory conditions. The inhabiting effects of heavy metal contamination were revealed at the site situated in the very close vicinity of the smelter. The obtained results allowed to determine the acute toxicity for one tested organism (Zea mays). Presented results deliver promising perspectives for inhabitants of this region as the condition of environment is improving