Usability of some woody plants in monitoring and reducing the Mn, Zn, Ba, and Sr concentrations in the air

Abstract

The advancements worldwide in the last century made air pollution one of the most important problems threatening human health on a global scale. One of the most harmful components of air pollution is heavy metals. For this reason, monitoring and reducing heavy metal pollution has been one of the main research subjects in recent years. In the present study, the accumulation of Mn, Zn, Ba, and Sr, which were included in the preliminary pollutant list by ATSDR (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry) since they pose a significant threat to human health, by plant species and organ was investigated. As a result of the present study, the highest concentrations were found in the leaves. The most useful species to be utilized in monitoring the change of the concentrations of heavy metals examined here in the air and to reduce the level of pollution were found to be Cotoneaster franchetii and Platycladus orientalis.