The possibilities of using blue spruce (Picea pungens Engelm) as a bio-monitor by measuring the recent accumulation of heavy metals in its leaves

Nowadays, air pollution has reached life-threatening levels in some cities, and worldwide, it has reached a level where millions of people lose their lives every year. Heavy metals, in particular, are among the significant components of air pollutants, as heavy metals can remain in nature for a long time without degradation and their concentration in the environment is constantly on the rise. They also tend to bio-accumulate. Therefore, identifying heavy metal concentrations in nature is of great importance in terms of identifying risky regions and risk levels. Pinpointing heavy metal concentrations in plants is important both for determining plants' ability to absorb heavy metals from the air and thus to improve air quality, as well as for monitoring air quality. Because of this, many studies have been carried out on the heavy metal deposits in plants. However, these studies focused mainly on the use of annual broad-leaved plants as bio-monitors. This study investigates the possibility of using the perennial Blue Spruce (Picea pungens) organelles whose age is predetermined, as a bio-monitor and to measure the recent change in heavy metal concentrations in these organelles. As part of the study, the changes in Ca, Al, Mg, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ba, Li, Na and K levels according to the organelles ages and whether the sampled organelles were washed or unwashed, were evaluated. The results showed that, in general, the lowest concentrations recorded were the Ca, Al, Mg, Cu, Na and K levels in the barks.