Determination of Pb, Cd and Zn accumulation in Ficus microcarpa used in urban areas

In study was carried out to determine the effect of Ficus microcarpa species, which is used extensively in urban areas in Mersin city, on heavy metal pollution. The accumulation of Pb, Cd and Zn was determined in the leaves of Ficus microcarpa species and in the soils where it grows. In the study, 27 leaves from three different directions (K, G, B) of tree individuals planted in three different areas in Mersin Atatürk Park and 27 soil samples from a depth of 10-40 cm together with 1 soil and 1 leaf sample were taken from the control point on 22 July 2019. The statistical differences between the obtained data were determined by "General linear variance analysis", and the difference between the means was determined by the "Duncan" test. The amounts of Pb (1.0-4.1 ppm), Cd (0.1-1.4 ppm) and Zn (0.3-3.4 ppm) were determined much less than the levels that would cause pollution in the soils where the species grows. In plant leaves, Pb (1.7-5.2 ppm) and Zn (7.7-72.5 ppm) levels were at low levels, while Cd (0.1-2.0 ppm) levels were above normal values in area 3 in the west direction but below the toxic level. As a result, it has been concluded that studies in more polluted areas are required to be able to use this plant species to accumulate the mentioned heavy metals.