The element concentrations in the fruitbodies of Leccinum scabrum from two forested upland sites and one lowland site of different geochemical background were compared to topsoil concentrations. The aim of the study was to establish baseline concentration datasets, gain insight into the species' bioconcentration potential and to assess the impact of anthropogenic factors. The validated methods for analysis include inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) and cold-vapor atomic absorption spectroscopy (CV-AAS). Bioinclusion (bioconcentration factor > 1) by L. scabrum was observed for the elements Ag, Cd, Cu, K, Hg, Mn, Na, Mg, P, Rb, and Zn. In contrast, the elements Al, Ba, Ca, Fe, Ni, and Sr as well as the toxic Pb were bioexcluded. Among these elements, the toxic elements Cd and Pb are noteworthy regarding the aspect of human mushroom consumption. The medians of Cd in caps of L. scabrum from the upland sites were in the range of 5.6-6.6 mg kg-1 dm, with a maximum in an individual sample of 14 mg kg-1 dm, which is in the range of concentrations reported previously for polluted soils. Lead concentrations were much lower, with medians in the range of 0.79-1.3 mg kg-1 dm in caps and 0.48-0.59 mg kg-1 dm in stipes. Mineral contents of L. scabrum appear to be the result of a complex interaction of a species' characteristic physiology with local mineral soil geochemistry and with anthropogenic pollution factors.
Keywords: accumulation; food; forest topsoil; heavy metals; mushrooms; pollution; trace elements.