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Abstract
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This study was conducted to examine the level of pollution and potential sources of traffic-related metals in the topsoils and their uptake by Cardaria draba (L.) Desv and Achillea wilhelmsii C. Koch, growing next to Hamedan-Goltapeh, Hamedan- Saveh, and Hamedan-Kermanshah highways, which are located in Hamedan Province, west of Iran. In so doing, totally, 315 plant (including shoot and root) and roadside soil specimens were taken from 21 stations. Based on the results, the highest concentrations of all the studied soil and plant elements were observed in specimens collected from the sites with high vehicle traffic, showing the impact of traffic volume on elementals accumulation. The significant positive relationships between As/Cr, Co/Mn, and Fe/Mn of soil samples suggested that Co, Fe, and Mn were predominantly related to exhaust and crustal sources, while As and Cr mainly were emitted from non-exhaust sources (p < 0.01). Moreover, the positive and significant correlations of As, Cr, Fe, and Mn in soil and plant tissues of both investigated species indicated their potential usage as a biomonitor for these elements (p < 0.01). Based on the calculated biological factors, the lower translocation coefficient of As, Cr, and Fe in A. wilhelmsii and Cr and Fe in C. draba makes them suitable for their phytostabilization, while the higher translocation ratios for Co and Mn in A. wilhelmsii and As and Mn in C. draba make them appropriate for their phytoextraction from the soil. The research identified A. wilhelmsii and C. draba as efficient biomonitors and bioremediators of elements at contaminated soils.
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