Potentially toxic elements (PTEs) from mining industries pollute the surrounding environment and threaten the health of communities. Worldwide, exotic and indigenous trees are being recommended for green belts to trap dust and thereby limit the dispersion of PTEs. This study compares the potential of exotic (Eucalyptus grandis and E. camaldulensis) and native (Brachystegia longifolia) tree species in Zambia to accumulate PTEs and evaluate their ability to biomonitor heavy metal pollution. Tree bark and leaf samples were collected from 10 trees per study species growing at the same site downwind from a copper-leaching plant. Thirty topsoil samples were collected one metre from each sampled tree trunk. Portable X-ray fluorescence was used to analyse the elemental composition and concentration of trace elements in plant and soil samples. Pollution indices were used to establish the status and degree of soil contamination, while the bioaccumulation factor determined the ability of the studied species to accumulate PTEs. Heavy metals, including Mn, Ni, Pb, Cd, Cu, Fe and Zn were detected across soil and biomass samples, with a significant variation between species and plant parts. The pollution indices established that the soil at the study site is highly contaminated with Cu. The concentration of the studied trace elements varied across species following the order E. grandis > B. longifolia > E. camaldulensis in both tree bark and leaves. Determined bioaccumulation factors indicated Cd, Mn and Zn accumulation abilities of all the studied species suggesting their biomonitoring and phytoremediation potential. This implies that the study species have the potential to biomonitor Cd, Mn and Zn. Furthermore, a higher concentration of Cu was detected in B. longifolia bark, suggesting that this tree species can be used to biomonitor Cu pollution attributed to emissions from industrial activities. This study presents new insights into improving the management of polluted environments through biomonitoring and bioaccumulation of PTEs which can guide the selection of appropriate species for greenbelts in industrial areas.

中文翻译：

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赞比亚穆富利拉铜浸出厂周围生长的本土和外来树木对潜在有毒元素的生物累积

采矿业产生的潜在有毒元素（PTE）污染周围环境并威胁社区健康。在世界范围内，绿化带建议使用外来和本土树木来捕获灰尘，从而限制 PTE 的扩散。本研究比较了赞比亚外来树种（巨桉和赤桉）和本土树种（长叶短叶树）积累 PTE 的潜力，并评估了它们生物监测重金属污染的能力。树皮和叶子样本是从铜浸出厂顺风同一地点生长的每个研究物种的 10 棵树中采集的。从每个采样树干一米处采集了三十个表土样本。使用便携式X射线荧光分析植物和土壤样品中的元素组成和微量元素浓度。污染指数用于确定土壤污染的状况和程度，而生物累积因子则确定所研究物种累积 PTE 的能力。在土壤和生物质样品中检测到了包括锰、镍、铅、镉、铜、铁和锌在内的重金属，并且物种和植物部位之间存在显着差异。污染指数表明研究地点的土壤受到铜的高度污染。树皮和叶子中所研究的微量元素浓度在不同物种之间存在差异，其顺序为巨桉 > 长叶桉 > 赤桉。确定的生物富集因子表明所有研究物种的镉、锰和锌富集能力，表明它们的生物监测和植物修复潜力。这意味着研究物种具有生物监测镉、锰和锌的潜力。此外，在长叶树皮中检测到较高浓度的铜，表明该树种可用于生物监测工业活动排放造成的铜污染。这项研究提出了通过 PTE 的生物监测和生物累积来改善污染环境管理的新见解，可以指导工业区绿化带选择合适的物种。