2026 POLISH JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES 2026 35(卷), 1(期), (631-641页)
The rapid urbanization, industrialization of cities, agricultural activities, and utilitarian actions of the environment have caused increased pollution on the planet, mainly caused by heavy metals. The advancement of ecosystem contamination has been the subject of studies to prevent or reduce risks to environmental health. The use of plants to remove heavy metals from soil has become a prominent research area in phytoremediation. Considered an herbaceous plant, malva (Urena lobata L.) is widely cultivated for its economic value in natural fibers and medicinal applications. The objective of this work was to analyze the concentrations of inorganic components in soils and tissues (roots and leaves) of U. lobata in two areas: an anthropized area and a floodplain area, using X-ray fluorescence by total reflection. Eight samples of malva soil and tissues (leaves and roots) were collected in each area, totaling 48 samples. The graphical dispersion was performed by the Principal Component Analysis Method (PCA). The soils of the anthropized area provided a predominance of elements such as Pb, Nb, and Yb, and the floodplain area presented high concentrations of Al, Cr, Ni, Cu, and Hf. The results indicate that malva is a promising species for use as a phytoremediator in areas with heavy metal-contaminated soil. It is characterized as an accumulator of Ti, Ni, Br, and Y in its tissues (roots and leaves) and as a hyperaccumulator of Hf and Yb. It is suggested that the species be used for environmental biomonitoring, mainly metals Ti, Yb, Hf, Ni, Br, and Y. This is the first report of this species as a bioaccumulator of heavy metals.