Abstract
A comparative study was carried out on the capabilities of the two species Paulownia elongata S. Y. Hu and Paulownia fortunei Hems. as biomonitors of atmospheric (and soil) heavy-metal pollution. Research on content of the heavy metals nickel (Ni) and lead (Pb) in leaves of the species Paulownia elongata growing under urban and suburban conditions with the comparison to the concentration of these elements in leaves of the species Paulownia elongata and Paulownia fortunei on an experimental plot in Bela Crkva showed average nickel concentrations of 2.7 ?g/g on the experimental plot in Bela Crkva, Serbia, twice as low as the concentrations measured under extreme urban conditions (6.62 ?g/g, or 4.54 ?g/g in the immediate vicinity of suburban traffic lines). Inasmuch as Paulownia elongata endures urban conditions well, it can be recommended for cultivation in parks, tree alleys, and wind-protection zones along urban and regional traffic lines.
Highlights
The quality of air in the urban environment is conditioned by emissions of sulfur dioxide (SО2), nitrogen dioxide (NО2), carbon dioxide (СО2), soot, powders, and other substances originating from thermal power plants, industry, traffic, burning in individual furnaces, etc
For the purpose of determining concentrations of the heavy metals nickel (Ni) and lead (Pb) in leaves of Paulownia elongata and Paulownia fortunei growing in urban conditions, samples were collected at three locations near the end of the growing season: Tree mark
The results clearly show that contents of the analyzed elements are highest in leaves of trees growing in the green zone between two lanes of the main traffic line, which indicates the causality of Ni and Pb concentrations on the one hand and traffic density or frequency on the other
Summary
The quality of air in the urban environment is conditioned by emissions of sulfur dioxide (SО2), nitrogen dioxide (NО2), carbon dioxide (СО2), soot, powders, and other substances originating from thermal power plants, industry, traffic, burning in individual furnaces, etc. With respect to lead (Pb), a large number of tested vegetable species showed a higher value of accumulation (from 50 to 100%) at the end in comparison with the beginning of the growing season (Stanković, 2006). According to Wang et al (2009), Pb contents in leaves of Paulownia fortunei significantly increased during the growing season and were higher than in stems and roots, indicating an important pathway of internal Pb and Zn transport from the roots and stems to the leaves, confirming a common mechanism whereby plants protect themselves from toxicity of Pb (and some other heavy metals), i.e., through higher metabolic activity of their leaves
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