Detection of Heavy Metals Pollution in Mascara (Algeria) by Using (Platanus acerifolia.Wild) Leaves

Abstract

This work illustrates the interest of the use of flora species to detect the air pollution by heavy metals from road and vehicle in the town of Mascara (north-west of Algeria). The (Platanus acerifolia.Wild) leaves were tested as a possible bio monitor of heavy metals pollution; they are taken from different locations with different degrees of metal pollution (urban roadside and control site). Then, the concentrations of lead, zinc, copper, nickel and chromium were measured using a flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The results showed that the highest and the lowest metal concentration were found in the heavy traffic sites and the control site, respectively. However, the Zn, Pb, Cu, and Ni are generally higher than Cr in all samples taken from roadside sites. The mean values of Zn, Ni, Pb, Cu, and Cr are 292.20, 3.45, 2.55, 1.90, 1.05 ppm respectively. In regard to the results of this study, the trees’ leaves can be applied to monitor the pollution by heavy metals in urban atmosphere.