Heavy metal pollution and physiological changes in the leaves of some shrub, palm and tree species in urban areas of Adana, Turkey

Abstract

The effects of anthropogenic pollution on metal accumulation and some physiological parameters were investigated in plant leaves in the Adana, located in the Mediterranean region of Turkey. Washingtonia filifera L., Eucalyptus camaldulensis L., Phoenix dactylifera L., Platanus orientalis L., Citrus aurantium L., Nerium oleander L. and Schinus molle L. plants were collected from four different locations having different pollution levels in Adana . Concentrations of metals (Al, B, Ba, Fe, Pb, Sr and Zn), pigment (chloropyhll and carotenoid), lipid peroxidation product (malondialdehyde), and peroxidase (POD) enzyme activity were determined in the leaf tissues of these plants. Nerium oleander was determined to be a suitable biomonitor for heavy metal accumulation from anthropogenic and traffic activities in Adana. It was also determined that S. molle accumulated more Cu, Pb and Zn than all the other plant species and that metal accumulation did not cause a significant increase in pigment content of this plant. Our results indicate that POD enzyme activities in P. orientalis (Sr and Zn), C. aurantium (Ba) and N. oleander (Cu and Pb) can be used as suitable indicators for heavy metal stress. Additionally, we propose that S. molle can be used as a biomonitor for Pb, Cu and Zn, while N.oleander can be used as a biomonitor for Fe, Al, and Ba.

Trace Elements in Leaf Extracts of Eucalyptus grandis Traditionally Used to Treat Common Cold and Flu

“…Nevertheless, the species is widely used for medicinal purposes. The findings of the present study are consistent with several previous reports that eucalyptus species accumulate some PTEs in leaves 7,22,23. Children who consume these TMRs may be at higher risk than adults, especially in the winter season when the common cold and flu occur more frequently.…”

“…reported higher concentrations for Cu, Pb and Zn in E. camaldulensis sampled from urban parks and streets of Adana city in Turkey 22. Variations in concentrations could be explained by the total PTE in the tailings, leaves and tailings characteristics such as pH and OM, which influence their bioavailability.…”

Assessing adaptation and mitigation potential of roadside trees under the influence of vehicular emissions: A case study of Grevillea robusta and Mangifera indica planted in an urban city of India

“…It has been reported that Cu deficiency and excess influence many enzymes that catalyze oxidation and reduction reactions [50,51]. Depending upon the tree species the suitable Cu concentrations for trees range from 2 to 20 ppm and the phytotoxic level is nearly 30 ppm [55]. The current finding of Cu in leaf tissues of both the species was in the line of the prior discussed works of various researchers.…”

Instrumental neutron activation analysis of plant tissues and soils for biomonitoring in urban areas in Istanbul

“…In recent years, many studies have been carried out in Turkey to study the possible use of various tree species as a possible biomonitor for metals [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19]. However, only limited numbers of studies have been conducted in Istanbul in the last decade [20][21][22].…”