Verbascum bombyciferum Boiss. (Scrophulariaceae) as possible bio-indicator for the assessment of heavy metals in the environment of Bursa, Turkey

Abstract

t In this study, we determined the heavy metal content (Cd2+, Cr3+, Cu2+, Fe3+, Ni2+, Pb2+, and Zn2+) in the soil surrounding the roots and different organs of Verbascum bombyciferum Boiss. (Scrophulariaceae), which is endemic to Uludag Mountain, Bursa, Turkey. Plant samples ˘ were collected from roadsides, and heavy metal accumulation capabilities were tested. This is one of the pioneer species of ruderal plant communities on roadsides, building sites, rubbish dumps, etc. Different organs of plant samples (roots, stems, leaves, and flowers) and their soils were analyzed by inductively couple plasma optical emission spectroscopy for their heavy metal contents. Some of the analyzed heavy metals (Cd2+, Cr3+, Pb2+, and Zn2+) were usually increased depending on the traffic in the sample sites, and this variation was also reflected in heavy metal content of plant samples. Our results show that H. Arslan (B) · G. Güleryüz Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Science, University of Uludag, Görükle 16059, Bursa, Turkey ˘ e-mail: arslanh@uludag.edu.tr Z. Leblebici · A. Aksoy Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts & Science, University of Erciyes, 38039 Kayseri, Turkey S. Kırmızı Gemlik Asım Kocabıyık Graduate Vocational School, Uludag University, Gemlik, 16600, Bursa, Turkey ˘ this plant can be used as a bio-indicator species in the monitoring of increased Cd2+, Cr3+, Pb2+, and Zn2+ in the environment. We also concluded that V. bombyciferum have the capability of Cd2+, Cr3+, Cu2+, Ni2+, Pb2+, and Zn2+ accumulation.