Heavy Metals (Cd, Cu, Ni, Zn and Pb) Uptake by Various Components of Smooth-Leaved Elm (<i>Ulmus carpinifolia</i>) Tree in Abadeh City

Abstract

The concentrations of cadmium, copper, nickel, zinc and lead were investigated in various components of smooth-leaved elm (<em>Ulmus carpinifolia</em>) tree in three sites (polluted, <em>moderately polluted,</em> and control) in Abadeh, Iran, in July 2015. The experiment was conducted using factorial experiment in a Completely Randomized Design with three replications. The concentration of heavy metals was measured in the mentioned indicator using atomic absorption spectroscopy method. The results showed that polluted and control sites had the highest and lowest Cd, Cu, Ni and Zn, respectively, indicating that vehicular traffic was the main source of these heavy metals. The moderate level of Pb concentration (0.15 mg l^-1) was observed in control site. The accumulation pattern of the studied elements was in the order of Ni=Zn>Cu>Cd>Pb. The concentrations of heavy metals were lower than the permitted limits except Cd in leaf, root and stem. Smooth-leaved elm (<em>U. carpinifolia</em>) tree can be used as a biomonitor of heavy metals pollution in Abadeh city.<br />