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Title: EXPLORING CALCIUM, POTASSIUM, IRON AND BARIUM ACCUMULATION IN URTICA DIOICA AND LAMIUM PURPUREUM USING XRF SPECTROMETRY
EXPLORING CALCIUM, POTASSIUM, IRON AND BARIUM ACCUMULATION IN URTICA DIOICA AND LAMIUM PURPUREUM USING XRF SPECTROMETRY

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Patricia Cristina Tarkanyi; Ersilia Alexa; Laura Radulescu; Narcis Gheorghe Baghina; Despina-Maria Bordean
10.5593/sgem2025/5.1/s19.013
10.5593/sgem2025/5.1
1314-2704
978-619-7603-85-9
English
25
5.1
• Prof. Dr. hab. oec. Baiba Rivza, LATVIA• Prof. DSc. Ildiko Tulbure, GERMANY• Prof. DSc. Oleksandr Trofymchuk, UKRAINE
Ecology, Biodiversity, and Environmental Protection
The stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) and purple dead-nettle (Lamium purpureum) are widely distributed plants, known for their medicinal and nutritional properties. Urtica dioica is particularly valued for its significant mineral content, being widely used in traditional medicine and agricultural practices. Similarly, Lamium purpureum presents notable medicinal properties and typically occupies comparable ecological functions.
Calcium is critically important for developing cell walls, growth of plant cells as well as human bone health. Potassium matters a great deal for plant health too: regulating water, growth, and photosynthesis. Potassium is also vital in maintaining balance of electrolytes and muscle function in humans. Iron modifies chlorophyll synthesis and metabolism and is important for oxygen transportation. Barium, even though studied less, may be important bioindicators of soil contamination and shows physiological effects in human health. Studying the levels of these macro elements is critical in assessing the nutritional profiles of these plants, their adaptation to varying soil conditions, and potential implications for human health and agriculture.
The aim of the study is to evaluate and compare the concentration of calcium, potassium, iron, and barium in soil samples and in the plant parts (roots, stems, and leaves) of Urtica dioica and Lamium purpureum. The results will provide valuable insights into the relationships between soil nutrient availability and plant mineral composition, contributing to both ecological studies and the medicinal applications of these species. The study was performed on soil and plant samples
harvested from Timis County, Romania using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry.
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This study was funded by the University of Life Sciences "King Mihai I" from Timisoara” and the results will be included in the PhD Thesis of Patricia Cristina Tarkanyi under the supervision of Despina-Maria Bordean.
The acquisition of XRF Analyzer was financed by Interreg–IPA Cross–border Cooperation Romania-Serbia Programme, through the project “Modern technologies for monitoring land covered with waste in order to restore their initial use”, 2019-2021, code e-MS: RORS 365.
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https://doi.org/10.5593/sgem2025/5.1/s19.013
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EXPLORING CALCIUM, POTASSIUM, IRON AND BARIUM ACCUMULATION IN URTICA DIOICA AND LAMIUM PURPUREUM USING XRF SPECTROMETRY
Proceedings of 25th International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference SGEM 2025, Volume 25, Issue 5.1
25th International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference SGEM 2025, Volume 25, Issue 5.1, 29 June - 6 July, 2025
Proceedings Paper
STEF92 Technology
International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference Surveying Geology and Mining Ecology Management, SGEM
SWS Scholarly Society; Acad Sci Czech Republ; Latvian Acad Sci; Polish Acad Sci; Russian Acad Sci; Serbian Acad Sci and Arts; Natl Acad Sci Ukraine; Natl Acad Sci Armenia; Sci Council Japan; European Acad Sci, Arts and Letters; Acad Fine Arts Zagreb Croatia; Croatian Acad Sci and Arts; Acad Sci Moldova; Montenegrin Acad Sci and Arts; Georgian Acad Sci; Acad Fine Arts and Design Bratislava; Russian Acad Arts; Turkish Acad Sci.
107-114
29 June - 6 July, 2025
website
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elemental analysis, soil-plant interactions, human and environmental health, bioaccumulation

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