Plants from Serra dos Carajás, state of Pará, and Cadeia do Espinhaço, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, were analyzed for Cu, Pb, Ni, Cd, Co, Mn and Fe concentrations. The results indicate that plants from Carajás concentrate Cu, Pb, Ni, Cr and Fe above background values, and those from the state of Minas Gerais concentrate Ni, Mn, Cu, Pb, Cd and also Fe. Based on the results and on the physionomical aspects of the vegetation we can speculate on the existence of différente types of metalophylic vegetation in these areas, which may belong to a single biogeochemical province (Carajás - Espinhaço) which is rich in iron and other heavy metals.
vegetation; metalliferous soils; heavy metals in plants