Bio-monitoring of Atmospheric Heavy Metals Deposited on Selected Tree Leaves in Kanchipuram, Tamilnadu

Abstract

Kanchipuram, one of the holiest cities is highly polluted with heavy metals due to industrialization and
urbanization. It is most important to know the role of plants in the cleansing process of heavy metals in this
temple city. In this study, the heavy metals (Fe2+, Pb2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Al2+, Cd2+, As2+, Cr3+, Mn2+) from the
dust deposited on the leaves of the trees were analyzed. The tree species were collected from different zones
of the Kanchipuram town such as residential area, traffic area, Institutional area, hospital area and industrial
area. Heavy metals concentrations were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Most
of the heavy metals were found below their detectable limits (Pb2+, Cd2+, Cu2+, Cr3+, and As2+). Some of
the heavy metals were in highly increased values (Fe2+, Al2+) almost in selected species. In few locations
the content of As2+ and Mn2+ in lower levels were deposited on some species. The results obtained from
the analysis were compared statistically and correlated by using Pearson’s co-efficient. The results obtained
from the analysis shown that the heavy metals were emitted from various combustion processes and other
anthropogenic activities. The tree species selected can be used in bio monitoring as bio indicators of increased
Fe2+, Al2+ in the ambient air.