Zinc and cadmium accumulation in different parts of wild plants of the Asteraceae family and Triticum aestivum

The regularities of the accumulation and distribution of metals (Zn and Cd) in various parts of wild herbaceous plants and the agricultural crop of the impact zone in Rostov region (Russia) was considered. A large accumulation of elements in wild herbaceous plants of the Asteraceae family was noted compared with Triticum aestivum. The pollution of Triticum aestivum by Cd was observed. Wild herbaceous plants of the Asteraceae family were contaminated mostly with Zn. It was found that Artemisia austriaca and Ambrosia artemisiifolia accumulated Zn and Cd in the aboveground part. Achillea nobilis accumulated Cd mainly in the root system. Closer location monitoring plots to the source of anthropogenic load and the location of the northwest winds prevailing in the region were main influencing factors leading to higher pollution.