Evaluation of Trace Element Pollution from Vehicle Emissions in Petunia Plants

Effects of environmental pollution from road traffic on traceelement accumulation and deposition were examined in washed andunwashed petunia leaves. The plants were grown in an urban and ina suburban area. Substantial amounts of elements were removedsimply by washing with demineralised water, which removed atleast 45% of Al, Fe and Pb and 15% of Mn, Cu and Zn in urbanareas, where the aerial deposition took place. Throughout thegrowing season, the concentrations of Fe, Cu, Al, Ni and Pbincreased in the washed leaves of the petunia plants grown inurban areas. However, the plant very specifically controlled thecontents of Mn and Zn. Concentrations of elements were significantly higher in washed leaves from the urban area thanthose from the surburban area, indicating that this ornamentalplant is able to absorb Fe, Al, Ni and Pb through its root andleaves. Periodic assessment of the accumulation of traceelements in urban areas with intense traffic is important inorder to evaluate the rate of environmental pollution.