Journal of Research in Environmental Health

Journal of Research in Environmental Health

Evaluation of the Concentration of Heavy Metals Pb, Zn and Cd in the Leaves of the Ornamental Species of Bougainvillea Glabra and Cassia Floribunda of Mahshahr Port

Authors
Zahra Khazaei 1
Azita Koshafar 2
Sina Attarroshan 3
1 Master's student of Environment, Ahvaz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran
2 Department of Environment, Ahvaz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran
3 Department of Environment, Ahvaz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran.
10.22038/jreh.2024.25341
Abstract
Background and Objective: The toxicity and persistence of heavy metals in the environment have necessitated usingtrees as biological indicators. This study aimed to evaluate the concentrations of heavy metals, including Pb, Zn, and Cd, in the leaves of two commonly cultivated ornamental plant species, Bougainvillea glabra (paper flower) and Cassia floribunda (burhan flower), known for their adaptability in urban environments, within the green spaces of Mahshahr Port in 2024.

Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical research involved the collection of leaf samples fromBougainvillea glabra and Cassia floribunda trees across 13 regions of Mahshahr City, with three replications in June 2024. Chemical digestion was performed using the Jackson (1980) method, which involves acid digestion of plant material to release heavy metals for analysis. Heavy metal concentrations were measured using a Perkin Elmer 900T atomic absorption spectrophotometer (USA).

Results: The mean concentrations of Cd, Pb, and Zn in the leaves of Bougainvillea glabra were 0.108, 0.154, and 1.705 mg/kg, respectively. In contrast, the concentrations in Cassia floribunda were 0.120, 0.184, and 1.996 mg/kg, respectively. Statistically, Cd (P=0.008) and Pb (P=0.035) concentrations were significantly higher in Cassia floribundathan in Bougainvillea glabra (P<0.05). However, the Zn levels in Cassia floribundawere slightly higher but not statistically significant (P=0.844, P>0.05). The detected concentrations of Cd, Pb, and Zn in both species were below permissible limits set by the World Health Organization (WHO), indicating minimal contamination.

Conclusion: The concentrations of Cd, Pb, and Zn in the leaves of Cassia floribunda and Bougainvillea glabra were within normal limits and below the standard permissible levels. However, based on the findings, these two species are unsuitable for phytoremediation of heavy metals. These results highlight the broader potential of ornamental plants as cost-effective tools for urban environmental management and pollution assessment, though further studies are needed to identify more effective species for phytoremediation purposes.
 
Open Access Policy: This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. To view a copy of this licence, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Keywords
Heavy Metals
Ornamental Plants
Bougainvillea Glabra
Cassia Floribunda
Mahshahr Port
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