Bioaccumulation and distribution of Pb, Ni, Zn and Fe in stinging nettle () tissues and heavy metal-contamination assessment in the industrial zone of smelter Ferronikeli (Drenas-Kosovo).

Here, we determined the concentrations of Pb, Ni, Zn and Fe in the soil and in vegetative organs of stinging nettle () collected from the banks of the Drenica River in the vicinity of the Ferronikeli smelter. The results were compared with samples collected from the banks 20 km (Shalë village) upriver. In addition, the bioaccumulation factor (BCF) and translocation factor (TF) were determined.