Pollution Indices, Floral Coverage and Newly Enzymatic Biomarker for Soil Heavy Metal Contamination Due to Industrial Activities At 6th October City, Egypt

Abstract

The current study aims to investigate the environmental effect of industrial activities on floral coverage within the major industrial district of 6th October City, Egypt. Additionally, assess the Detoxification enzymatic activity of Cataglyphis saviginyi as a pollution biomarker. To achieve this objective, soil samples on seasonal bases were collected from the investigated areas to assess heavy metal concentrations. Furthermore, seasonal specimens of C. saviginyi were collected to study the enzymatic activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST). Heavy metal contamination pollution indices were calculated, and Nine plant species were identified at investigated study sites for four successive seasons from 2020 to 2021. The accumulation of heavy metal contamination in soil at investigated sites followed the order: As >Ni > Pb > Hg. Heavy metal contamination was significantly higher at industrial locations than at the control site. Pollution indices were calculated in study sites, with Cf and Igeo indices highlighting the contamination of minerals, ordered as Hg > As > Ni > Pb from high to low. Calculated Cdeg and PLI for industrial 1 and 4 revealed a very high level of pollution, attributed to the increase in industrial activity resulting from the chemical, Ceramic, Paints, and metallic industries that characterize this region. The current results highlight the inhibition of GST levels in C. saviginyi at the industrial site compared to the control site. In contrast, AChE activity increased. Consequently, the antioxidant enzymatic activities are useful as biomarkers for assessing and monitoring environmental contamination. In conclusion, to our knowledge, this is the first enzymatic activity of C. saviginyi evaluated as a bioindicator for industrial pollution in study sites.