Examination of Blepharis aspera as a possible Cu–Ni indicator plant

Abstract

BLEPHARIS ASPERA WAS COLLECTED FROM A copper–nickel mineralized area in Botswana and examined as a possible Cu–Ni indicator plant for biogeochemical prospecting. Different plant parts and the host soils were analysed using ultrasonic slurry sampling electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. All plant parts accumulated Cu and Ni in above-normal amounts, although not in hyperaccumulator concentrations. The leaf to soil Cu concentration ratio varied little with metal concentration in the soil. We propose Blepharis aspera as a Cu indicator plant.