Nickle phytoremediation by leaves of planted species (Fraxinus rotundifolia, Ulmus densa, Salix alba) (Case study: Kermanshah oil refinery area)

Pollution can be defined as an undesirable change in physiochemical and biological properties of air, water, or land that can damage human or living organism’s health, survival and activities. The pollution induced by heavy metals due to their stability in environment is important. The purpose of this research was to investigate the phytoremediation ability of Nickel uptake for three species including, ash (Fraxinus rotundifolia), willow (Salix alba), and elm (Ulmus densa) around Kermanshah refinery in 2011. Sampling was performed in two locations during growing season in three times, at beginning (May), middle (August), and end (October) of season. Shahed Park which is near the refinery was selected as polluted location and Farabi Hospital far from refinery as control location were selected. ICP method was used to measure nickel content after extraction. Results showed that distance from pollution source and wind direction had not significant effects on nickel dispersion in study locations. Also there was more nickel content in leaves of willow in sampling locations at the beginning of growing season. In addition, the results indicated that the rate of nickel accumulation in ash and elm had upward trend in growing season.