Changes in heavy metal concentrations depending on traffic density in some plants grown in Samsun city center

Air pollution has increased significantly due to anthropogenic factors and has become a global problem in recent years. In air pollution components, heavy metals are not easily degraded and destroyed in nature and bioaccumulated in living bodies. Some of them can be toxic, poisonous, or carcinogenic even in low concentrations, and even those necessary for living bodies can be harmful at high concentrations. Therefore, monitoring the concentrations of heavy metals in the air is of great importance for human and environmental health. The most suitable method for monitoring heavy metals concentration is to use plants that can accumulate heavy metals in various organs as biomonitors. However, must be determined species and organs for monitoring each heavy metal separately. In this study, the changes in the concentrations of Cr, Mn, Ba, Sr, Fe, Na, Ca and K elements in Robinia pseudoacacia, Platanus orientalis, Acer negundo, Ulmus minor and Nerium oleander individuals that grow in areas. Where there is no traffic, less dense and dense are tried to be determined. Within the study's scope, the concentrations of the elements in the leaves, bark and wood of the species subject to review were determined and evaluated. Within the study's content, also applied the washing process was to the leaves and bark. The effect of the washing process was also tried to be determined. As a result of the study, it was determined that the concentrations of each element in various organs of the species change depending on the traffic density, and this change shows significant differences based on component and species.