As well as being part of the human diet, mushrooms are frequently used in bioindication. Mycorrhizal mushrooms, which live in symbiosis with different species of trees, can be used for accurate biomonitoring, including an analysis of related elements of the abiotic and biotic components of ecosystems. The study was conducted in the Jałowiec Range, which belongs to the Przedbabiogórskie Range in the Maków Beskids (the Western Carpathians). The aim of the research was to determine the content of cadmium, copper, lead and zinc in Lactarius salmonicolor. The research also aimed at determining the bioconcentration factor of the mentioned metals for the mushroom species. In addition, the suitability of Lactarius salmonicolor growing in the study area for human consumption was assessed. Samples of mushrooms (Lactarius salmonicolor) and soil were taken in autum 2015. Concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn in the plant and soil material were determined by atomic emission spectrometry. In Lactarius salmonicolor, a significant correlation of the content of heavy metals in the mushrooms to the content of these metals in the soil was found for lead and copper (both for caps and stipes) and for zinc (for the soil to stipes ratio). The bioconcentration factor for caps and stipes of Lactarius salmonicolor was as follows: Cd>Zn>Cu>Pb. The relatively high cadmium content in the studied mushrooms may pose a risk to the consumer’s health.

22.4.2017