Determination of changes in heavy metal accumulation depending on plant species, plant organism, and traffic density in some landscape plants

Abstract

The level of pollution has reached the dimensions that threaten human health, with the rapid urbanization and the increase of energy consumption especially in developing countries. Every year in the world, millions of people lose their lives because of air pollution. Heavy metals have a separate precaution in pollutants, especially in terms of human health, because they can remain intact in nature for long periods of time, they tend to bioaccumulate and some are toxic or carcinogenic even at low concentrations. Therefore, monitoring of heavy metal pollution and determination of risky areas is very important. Biomonitors are the most commonly used methods for monitoring heavy metal pollution. However, determining which plants and organelles are more suitable for monitoring the metal is essential in order to ensure that the monitoring is reliable. In this study, it was aimed to determine the variations of the concentration of Ni, Pb, and Cd elements depending on the traffic density in leaves, seeds, and branches of Ailanthus altissima, Biota orientalis, Platanus orientalis, and Pyracantha coccinea which are grown in areas with heavy, low dense, and non-traffic areas. As a result of the study, it was determined that concentrations of Ni, Pb, and Cd increased depending on traffic density. According to the results obtained, it was determined that seeds and branches of Biota orientalis were the most suitable species and organelles to determine Ni pollution. The leaves of Ailanthus altissima are very suitable for monitoring the pollution of Pb and Cd.