A. Shariat, M. H. Assareh, A. Ghamari-Zare,
Volume 14, Issue 53 (10-2010)
Abstract
Heavy metals including cadmium produced as a result of urban, industrial and agricultural activities lead to the water pollution. Also, considering the growing need for silviculture in Iran, it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive research on fast growing and evergreen species of Eucalyptus and their role in heavy metals' absorption. To achieve this goal, Eucalyptus occidentalis seedlings were grown in pots containing silica and irrigated with a mixture of nutrient solution and cadmium chloride in 5, 10 and 15 m M for 10 months. Root and leaf samples were harvested and the amount of cadmium in stem, root and leaf organs was measured. Also, some morphological and physiological characteristics were determined including soluble sugar and praline. The analysis indicated that the cadmium concentrations of 15 mM treatment in the root, leaf and stem were 585, 142 and 87 mg/kg D.W., respectively. Proline content increased with the increase of Cadmium concentration while the content of pigments decreased. The result of this research shows that eucalypt has the potential of cadmium accumulation without any serious damage to its growth. Therefore, the plant can be used to decrease the environmental pollutions.
Raziyeh Mashalpour Fard, Maryam Mohammadi Rouzbahani, Sima Sabzalipour, Sina Attarroshan, Roshna Behbash,
Volume 30, Issue 3 (10-2026)
Abstract
Nickel (Ni) is an essential element for living organisms and plays important biological roles in plants; however, its accumulation at high concentrations can cause toxicity and adverse effects. This study aimed to evaluate nickel accumulation using the leaves of Albizia lebbeck, Prosopis cineraria, and Eucalyptus globulus as biological indicators in Ahvaz City during the summer of 2025. A total of 126 leaf samples and 63 soil samples were collected from seven stations across Ahvaz City. Chemical digestion of the leaf and soil samples was performed using the Johnson and EPA 3050 methods, respectively. Nickel concentrations were determined using atomic absorption spectrometry. Significant differences were observed in Ni concentrations among the leaves of Albizia lebbeck, Prosopis cineraria, and Eucalyptus globulus (P < 0.05), whereas no significant difference was observed in Ni concentrations among the soil samples (P > 0.05). The highest and lowest Ni concentrations in the unwashed and washed leaves of Albizia lebbeck were 36.2 and 10.3 mg kg⁻¹, respectively. The highest and lowest Ni concentrations in the soil samples collected from the tree rhizospheres were 57.36 and 44.1 mg kg⁻¹, respectively. The highest Ni transfer factor was observed in Albizia lebbeck leaves (0.446), whereas the lowest was observed in Eucalyptus globulus leaves (0.203). The Ni transfer factors for the leaves of Albizia lebbeck, Prosopis cineraria, and Eucalyptus globulus, together with the linear regression analysis of Ni concentrations in washed and unwashed leaves, indicate that atmospheric deposition may be an important source of Ni accumulation in the leaves. In contrast, the contribution of soil-derived Ni to leaf accumulation appears to be relatively low.
