Author/Authors :
Miri، Mohammad نويسنده Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran , , Ehrampoush، Mohammad Hassan نويسنده Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran , , Reza Ghaffari، Hamid نويسنده Social Determinants in Health Promotion Research Center,
Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, IR
Iran , , Aval، Hamideh Ebrahimi نويسنده Department of Environmental Health, School of Public
Health, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, IR
Iran , , Rezai، Mehrab نويسنده Environmental Science and Technology Research Center,
Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shahid
Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, IR
Iran , , Najafpour، Farzaneh نويسنده Environmental Science and Technology Research Center,
Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shahid
Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, IR
Iran , , Abaszadeh Fathabadi، Zeynab نويسنده Environmental Science and Technology Research Center,
Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shahid
Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, IR
Iran , , Aval، Mohsen Yazdani نويسنده Faculty of Medical Sciences, Department of Occupational
Health Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, IR
Iran , , Ebrahimi، Asghar نويسنده Biotechnology and Bioscience Department, Milano-Bicocca University, Milan, Italy ,
Abstract :
Trees are one of the most commonly used bio-indicators and have
been widely applied for heavy metals (HMs) monitoring in the ambient air
because of their simple and efficient sampling and examination. The main
objective of this study was to evaluate local pine trees for their
potential as a bio-indicator of HMs in urban areas. Besides, the
distribution pattern of HMs in the study area, meteorological and land
use factors affecting this pattern, and HMs source identification were
investigated. Forty-eight sampling locations were selected in the Yazd
city, capital of Yazd province in Iran, and concentrations of five HMs-
iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd)- were
measured in the leaves of the most abundantly local pine trees, Pinus
eldarica, using the atomic absorption spectroscopy method. The obtained
data were analyzed for source identification using Spearman’s rank
correlation coefficient and principal component analysis (PCA). The
ordinary Kriging method was used to obtain a spatial map of HMs
distribution in the study area. Iron had the highest concentration
(345.0053 mg/kg) in leaves when compared with other HMs. The
concentration of Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd were 26.1384, 5.5905, 2.9963 and
0.7383 mg/kg, respectively. Spatial mapping indicated that industrial
districts and areas with heavy traffic had the highest HMs pollution.
Wind direction was recognized to be the most important factor in HMs
transportation. Anthropogenic sources were known as the main responsible
factor for HMs emission. Pine trees can be used as a worthy
bio-indicator for HMs pollution monitoring in the ambient air in areas
with extensive vegetation of pine trees.
