Accumulation of Heavy Metals in Mondell Pine (Pinus eldarica) Leaves and Bark at Distinctive Distances of Yazd Highway Green Belt

The purpose of this study was to investigate the ability of Mondell Pine tree) Pinus eldarica (in decreasing heavy metal contaminants within the environment by determining the concentration of heavy metals in the leaves and bark of P. eldarica and comparing their concentrations on falling dust. to reduce the concentrations of heavy metals in the environment compared with the concentration of these pollutants in falling dust. After the preparation of falling dust and plant samples, the heavy elements of them have been extracted by acid digestion method and then measured by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results showed that the concentration of Iron, Manganese, Zinc, Lead, and Cadmium in falling dust respectively were the highest to the lowest. Concentrations of Cadmium, Iron, Cobalt, and Nickel, increased with increasing distance from the road due to multi-directional winds and the presence of other contaminants. The Pearson correlation analysis between heavy metals found in the falling dust and Mondell Pine tree showed that the input and controlling factors of these elements in the Mondell Pine tree are probably the same as the dust. The results showed that the P. eldarica bark with the amount of accumulation index of 7261 mg/kg has more ability to simultaneously absorb different metals. As a result, since this green belt surrounds the Yazd urban area, it is hoped that a significant amount of heavy metals will be absorbed by these trees.