Title: Study of lead and copper accumulation by selected botanical species in urban environment

Authors: Djédoux Maxime Angaman; Yao Sadaiou Sabas Barima; Zamblé Fidèle Tra Bi; Kobenan Pierre N'gouran; Bini Kouamé Dongui

Addresses: Agroforestry Training and Research Unit, Jean Lorougnon Guédé University, P.O. Box 150 Daloa, Ivory Coast, Côte d'Ivoire ' Environment Training and Research Unit, Jean Lorougnon Guédé University, P.O. Box 150 Daloa, Ivory Coast, Côte d'Ivoire ' Environment Training and Research Unit, Jean Lorougnon Guédé University, P.O. Box 150 Daloa, Ivory Coast, Côte d'Ivoire ' Environment Training and Research Unit, Jean Lorougnon Guédé University, P.O. Box 150 Daloa, Ivory Coast, Côte d'Ivoire ' Environment Training and Research Unit, Jean Lorougnon Guédé University, P.O. Box 150 Daloa, Ivory Coast, Côte d'Ivoire

Abstract: The aim of this study is to quantify lead and copper concentrations deposited on plant species exposed in different habitats of Abidjan in order to assess air quality of Abidjan. Five species were used Barleria prionitis, Cassia surattensis, Duranta repens, Ficus benjamina, Jatropha interrigima and exposed in parks, main roads, industrial and residential zones. Leaf samples were collected and the concentrations of copper and lead were carried out by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Roads generally showed high levels of copper and lead and the highest values reached 13 mg.g−1 and 7.5 mg.g−1 respectively. While the lowest were found in Parks with the values 2 mg.g−1 for Cu and 0.5 mg.g−1 for Pb. These results suggest that the major source of pollution were car exhaust. However, C.surattensis at roadsides showed the highest deposition of Cu and Pb. A significant positive correlation between lead and copper concentration in three leaves species, Cassia surrattensis (r = 0.974; p = 0.0043), Duranta repens (r = 0.824; p = 0.0057) and Jatropha interrigima (r = 0927; p = 0.00001) were found.

Keywords: lead and copper contents; air pollution; plant leaves; ICP-MS.

DOI: 10.1504/WRSTSD.2017.087130

World Review of Science, Technology and Sustainable Development, 2017 Vol.13 No.3, pp.205 - 215

Received: 29 Nov 2015
Accepted: 16 Jan 2017

Published online: 06 Oct 2017 *

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