CHANGES OF SOME HEAVY METALS OF Euphorbia rigida Bieb. (EUPHORBIACEAE) AND ITS GROWTH HABITAT ALONG AN ALTITUDE GRADIENT IN GAZIANTEP (TURKEY)

摘要

In this study, we investigated contents of some heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Mn, Co and Cr) in Euphorbia rigida BIEB. and in the soil of its habitat at an altitude gradient along the Gaziantep province in Turkey. The study was carried out along a 12-km transect running SW of Gaziantep. Sun-dried soil and plant samples were collected from different areas. Soil samples were sieved, dissolved in 14 M HNO_3, and residues were dissolved in 1 M HCl. After mineralization, the metals were AAS-determined. According to analyses data, all soil samples were contaminated with heavy metals, and those close to the organized industrial zone area and its surrounding extremely high. E. rigida BIEB. and its habitat soil were less contaminated with heavy metals, with values for E. rigida BIEB. being lower than that of soil samples. In this study, we determined that the aerial parts (stem or leaf) of the investigated plant include low amounts of the quantified heavy metals, except for Cd and Cr, which were bioaccumulated in high amounts by the roots. Results were proven according to multivariate statistical analysis methods.