Heavy metals accumulation and tolerance in plants growing on ex-mining area, Bestari Jaya, Kuala Selangor, Peninsular Malaysia

The degree of contamination by heavy metals in soil and transfer to plants has been studied. Specimens of plant species from five locations were sampled with their corresponding soils. Thirty six plant species including two shallow water aquatic plants were identified. It was found that metal concentration in soil was highly variable while concentration of metals in plants directly depends on the concentration of metals it was rooted. Bioconcentraion factor and translocation factor were calculated which show that Cyperus rotundus L. is a potential tin-hyperaccumulator plant, previously not reported in literature. Plant Species Imperata cylindrica, Lycopodium cernuum, Melastoma malabathricum, Mimosa pudica Linn, Nelumbo nucifera, Phragmites australis L., Pteris vittata L. and Salvinia molesta, were metal accumulator while Acacia podalyriaefolia G. Don, Bulb Vanisium, Dillenia reticulate King, Eugenia reinwardtiana, Evodia roxburghiania Hk. f. Clarke, Gleichenia linearis, Grewia erythrocarpa Ridl., Manihot esculenta Crantz, Paspalum conjugatum Berguis, Passiflora suberosa, Saccharum officinarum, Stenochlaena palustris(Burm.) Bedd. and Vitis trifolia Linn. were tolerated plant species. All other studied plants were excluders. Identified plant species could be useful for revegetation and erosion control in metals-contaminated ex-mining sites.