Measurement of Macronutrients and Heavy Metal Concentrations in Certain Tree Species Exposed to Pollution in Karabük

Authors : Nezahat TURFAN

Pages : 233-243

View : 39 | Download : 11

Publication Date : 2023-01-10

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Anthropogenic pollution may have different forms and it can also affect air, water, soil, and plants. However, trees having significant bioaccumulative properties can decrease the air pollution. Measuring their capacity to accumulate macro elements and micro elements, the present study examined the tolerance of Acer, Aesculus, Cupressus, Fraxinus, Pinus, Platanus, Populus, and Robinia to air pollution in the Karabük province. Given the results observed in the present study, depending on the concentrations of tree leaves collected from polluted and control areas, the order of macro elements was determined as Ca, K, S, Mg, and P, while the order of heavy metals was measured as Al, Fe, Mn, Zn, Ba, Pb, Br, Ni, Cu, and Co. Also, Mg, K, and S levels were generally higher in polluted trees, whereas Ca and P concentrations were higher in the control trees. The levels of trace elements and heavy metals were generally found to be higher in polluted trees. Considering all these data, it was found that Cupressus, Platanus, and Robinia yielded the highest levels in terms of the parameters examined here, while Fraxinus and Pinus species had the lowest ones. It can be stated that these tree species are useful in industrial areas having high pollution levels.
Keywords : Heavy Metal, Nutrients, Pollution, Trees, Karabük

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