Phytotoxicity and phytogenotoxicity of soil and air in the vicinity of a petrochemical plant in Płock (Poland).

Petrochemical industries have been widely recognised as important emission sources of airborne contaminants including heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons PAHs, which affect the quality of air, soil and vegetation. In this study, our aim was to examine the phytotoxicity and phytogenotoxicity of soils and air in the vicinity of a petrochemical plant, in order to assess the potential threat of such industrial objects for crops and natural vegetation, in the cases when the allowable concentrations of contaminants are not exceeded and the plants in the vicinity visually do not seem to be affected. For phytotoxicity and phytogenotoxicity assessment, the Phytotoxkit and respectively Vicia RTA and TRAD MCN bioassays were used.