Sequestration of Heavy Metals in Soil and the Leaf of Different Forest Stands around Cement Factory

Aims Cement industry is considered as one of the major consuming energies, producing large amounts of environmental contaminants. The aim of this study was to examine the extent of metals Cadmium (Cd), Zinc (Zn), Lead (Pb), and Manganese (Mn) in the soil and leaves of planted around the cement factory in Pinus eldarica, Ulmus umbraculifera, and Quercus brantii naturally grown there. Materials & Methods In the present experimental study, to perform this, the level of elements was examined in the leaves as well as depths of 0-10 and 10-20cm of soil across the three studied species using atomic absorption device. The extent of elements sequestrated in the factory’s electro filter was also measured. One-way ANOVA test, Duncan’s test, and SPSS 20 software were used for Statistical analysis. Findings Cadmium was sequestrated in the electro filter was almost close to the level of cadmium in the leaf and soil samples. The level of lead, zinc, and manganese in the electro filter of the factory were higher than the extent of sequestration of these three elements in the leaf of three tree species and the soil below them. Across the three species, with increased depth of soil, the extent of lead sequestration declined. Pinus eldarica had the minimum extent of sequestration for the four studied elements both in the soil and leaf across the three studied species. Conclusion Quercus brantii and Ulmus umbraculifera have a greater potential in sequestration of heavy metals in comparison with Pinus eldarica.