The transfer of Heavy metals from contaminated soils in Polyalthia longifolia in Allahabad industrial region

This work addresses the issue of Lead, Cadmium, Nickel, Copper, Zinc and Iron heavy metals accumulation in naturally growing plant Polyalthia longifolia in the context of its possible use for the pollution monitoring of these metals. This plant was collected from the industrial areas of Allahabad near the polluted effluent discharge by the industries. Six heavy metals Pb, Cd, Ni, Cu, Zn and Fe were evaluated in Polyalthia longifolia at the site. The concentration of these metals were found in the soil below Polyalthia longifolia at the site is as following order: Fe> Cu> Zn> Pb> Ni> Cd. Polyalthia longifolia was representing high metal accumulation properties and also a high level of metal transportation from the root to the shoot appear to be useful for giving higher possible heavy metal removal from the soil. To evaluate the potential of plant species for phytoremediation, bioconcentration factor was calculated.