Abstract
The leaves of Ligustrum japonicum (Oleaceae), Olea europaea (Oleaceae), and Pyracantha coccinea (Rosaceae) were evaluated with the aim of using them as bioindicators for trace metal contamination in Baku city, Azerbaijan, one of the most highly polluted cities worldwide. These species of trees are the most abundant in urban and rural areas of Azerbaijan, because of high tolerance against climatic influences due to their modesty and adaptability. Concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, and Pb were determined in the leaves by AAS method. The samples were collected at three locations with different degrees of trace metal pollution (industrial, high traffic, and reference [botanical garden] site). The highest element concentrations were detected at sites of high traffic. Up to 70 times higher Pb concentrations could be found in the leaves of the trees that reflect the known Pb problem around Baku. The results presented give a first impression of a correlation between the degree of trace metal contamination in the environment and the trace metal concentration in the leaves of L. japonicum and O. europaea
Highlights
JJoouurrnnaal lofoEf nEvnirvoirnomnemnetanltaElnEginngeienreinegrianngdaLnadnLdsacnadpsecMapaenaMgeamnaenget,m2e0n1t4, 22021(14),: 2124(–12)0: 14Á20 europaea, and Pyracantha coccinea from three different sites in and around Baku
The results of this study should answer the scientific question whether plant leaves of L. japonicum, O. europaea, and P. coccinea can be used as bioindicators for environmental pollution observation and control in Baku city
The present primary results on trace metal concentrations in leaves of tree species in and around Baku show that especially, the leaves of O. europaea and L. japonicum can be probably used as bioindicators, because of their ability to accumulate the essential elements Cu, Cr, and Fe
Summary
JJoouurrnnaal lofoEf nEvnirvoirnomnemnetanltaElnEginngeienreinegrianngdaLnadnLdsacnadpsecMapaenaMgeamnaenget,m2e0n1t4,, 22021(14),: 2124(–12)0: 14Á20 europaea, and Pyracantha coccinea from three different sites in and around Baku (the capital of Azerbaijan). Baku has been discussed as one of the highest polluted cities of the world (Luck 2008), being polluted by emissions of oil drillings. Ismailov and Akhoun-Zade (1999) reported that especially during 1991Á1994, serious environmental problems were caused by petrochemical industry, power plants, metallurgical, and building materials industries situated in Baku. The results of this study should answer the scientific question whether plant leaves of L. japonicum, O. europaea, and P. coccinea can be used as bioindicators for environmental pollution observation and control in Baku city. The studied elements are common pollutants in the air, especially in industrial cities as Baku characterized by large petroleum industry and by high density of traffic (Babayeva 2002). The results are especially of interest as preliminary baseline data for environmental air pollution of Baku derived from tree leaves
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