Abstract

ABSTRACT: Selliera radicans Cav. is a creeping plant native to New Zealand, Australia, and Chile, found in wetland environments. Leaves of cultivated S. radicans plants are promising sources of food with beneficial health properties. The concentration of metals in soils and leaves of wild S. radicans from marshes (Vichuquén and Torca) and coastal wetlands (Putú) considered contaminated (Maule Region, Chile) was evaluated by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. According to the results, the analyzed soils are contaminated with heavy metals (Cu, Cr, Zn, and Ni), although their pollution levels are low. Wild S. radicans leaves had Mn and Zn in concentrations higher than those allowed in edible plants. These results support the popular perception of considering the investigated sites as polluted. Wild S. radicans can colonize metalliferous soils and act as a metal bioindicator of environmental contamination in Vichuquén-Torca and Putú wetlands.