CADMIUM AND LEAD ACCUMULATION IN ALFALFA (MEDICAGO SATIVA L.) AND THEIR INFLUENCE ON THE NUMBER OF STOMATA

摘要

Accurate measurements of the heavy-metal contents in polluted areas are required to assess the potential ecological risks in these areas. Chemical and biological indicators are of interest when they provide information about the concentration and accumulation of heavy metals in the environment. This study was conducted in order to investigate heavy-metal accumulation and the effect on alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) at different distances from the road. The total content of heavy metals was determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The present results showed a variation that indicated that Pb and Cd had the highest concentration in all the sampling areas near the road. According to the results of the present study, the concentration of heavy metals has an influence on the number of stomata in both the adaxial and abaxial surfaces of the leaves, particularly in locations where the concentrations of Pb and Cd were higher. The results showed that the plant demonstrated a physiological response to the heavy-metal pollution, which suggests that roadside plants are indicators of heavy-metal accumulation and the effect on the environment.