Cu content in medicinal plants growing in the floodplains of the rivers Irtysh and Ob

To identify the safe use of medicinal plants for therapeutic purposes, we investigated the levels of heavy metals (namely, copper) in medicinal plants growing in the floodplains of Irtysh (Semey, Ozerki) and Ob (Berdsk). In studies conducted in 2013-2016, involved field and laboratory methods. The article describes the material on the content of copper in medicinal plants depending on the species, morphological and systematic characteristics of plants. As shown by the research results, the copper content varies from 2.0 to 9.7 mg/kg, the average value of 5.6 mg/kg the copper content in the morphological organs in the General population of medicinal plants decreases in the following order: Cu: roots (6.2) > sheets (5.6) > flowers (5.0). The studied collection of medicinal plants in floodplains of Irtysh and Ob on the content of copper (mg/kg) are arranged in the following descending order: the nettle Family - (8.6) > Valerian Family - (7.7) > the Family Umbrella to (7.4) > Rosaceae Family - (7.2) > the Family of legumes - (7.1) > the Family Labiatae - (5.2) > Asteraceae - (4.8) > the plantain Family - (4.6) > the Family Polygonaceae - (3.6). The average for Cu and 6.2 mg/kg. For all investigated sections of the floodplain is characterized by minimal accumulation of the elements in the riparian zone in the Central area is divided into zones and clear patterns in the distribution of elements was identified: Berdsk: area is divided into > central > riparian; Semey: central > area is divided into ≥ riparian; Ozerki: central ≥ area is divided into ≥ riparian. According to the findings, excess of maximum permissible concentration according to the average values for Cu and 5.6 mg/kg, not detected. But in some types of herbs, namely, tansy (Cu = 9.3 mg/kg), Melilotus officinalis (Cu = 9.1 mg/kg) observed excess of maximum permissible values, regardless of the plot area of the floodplain. We can conclude that these medicinal plants are concentrators of heavy metals and cannot be recommended for use. Also identified the species with minimum concentration of elements, elecampane (Cu = 2.3 mg/kg), wormwood (Cu = 2.6 mg/kg). These types of medicinal plants should be encouraged for collection, preparation and use, as the use of above mentioned medicinal plants for medical purposes does not pose any risk to health.