Source identification of heavy metals in atmospheric dust using Platanus orientalis L. leaves as bioindicator

Studies on atmospheric dust have been limited by the high cost of instrumental monitoring methods and also sampling difficulties. The use of organisms acting as bioaccumulators has recently been proposed. In this study, the leaves of Platanus orientalis L., as a possible biomonitor of heavy metals in atmospheric dust, were evaluated to understand the likely sources of pollution in Isfahan, Iran. Concentration of Zn, Cu, Ni and Mn and Magnetic susceptibility (Xlf) were determined in washed (WL) and unwashed leaves (UL), monthly sampled from May 2012 to November 2012. By subtracting the amount of metal concentrations and Xlf in UL and WL, the amount of these parameters in dust deposited on the leaves (UL-WL) were calculated. Enrichment factor analysis, correlation coeficient, principal component analysis and cluster analysis on the UL-WL data were employed to trace the heavy metals sources. Results showed that the metal concentration in UL and WL in primary sampling times was not statistically different.