Evaluation of heavy metal pollution using biological markers of Prosopis juliflora and palm Phoenix dactylifera trees around Ahvaz Shadgan Steel Factory

Abstract

Background: Trees are one of the appropriate biological indicators in industrial areas and factories, and by monitoring them; it is possible to determine the state of heavy metal contamination of soil resources. This research was carried out with the aim of biological monitoring of heavy metals lead, cadmium, nickel and iron using plant biomarkers of Prosopis juliflora and Phoenix dactylifera in Shadgan Steel Factory. Methods: According to the geographical location of the factory, 4 stations were selected, where 24 soil samples and 72 leaf samples were collected randomly with 3 repetitions, from 4 different geographical directions. In order to investigate the bioaccumulation of metals in tree leaves, the bioaccumulation coefficient was used. Results: The results of analysis of variance (ANOVA) show that there was a significant difference between soil, palm tree and mesquite groups for the concentration of lead, cadmium, nickel and iron metals (P0.05) and this could be due to the accumulation in the lower parts of the plant, hence Phoenix dactylifera tree leaves and Prosopis juliflora is not a suitable biomarker for this metal. Considering that absorption through the soil is low, there is a possibility of pollutants entering through dry atmospheric precipitation. The accumulation potential of lead, cadmium, nickel and iron heavy metals was higher in Phoenix dactylifera tree than in Prosopis juliflora.

Keywords

• heavy metals
• biological markers
• plant treatment
• mesquite tree
• palm tree