Quantification of Atmospheric Pollution In The Urban Environment Of Sidi Bel' Abbes (Western Algeria)

The air pollution is now a very complex environmental problem locally and globally. Quantification of this pollution is possible by plant species tree.The use of plant species tree is used to quantify airborne contamination of heavy metals due to traffic. Analyses of the leaves of oriental plane tree (Platanus orientalis) and carob (Ceratonia siliqua) have made possible the mapping of sites polluted by the three heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Cu) from the city of Sidi Bel Abbe (West Algeria). High concentrations of lead and zinc recorded in sixteen sampling sites are in close relationship with a very dense traffic and fleet age. Lead, zinc and copper, the main metal pollutants are coming from the exhaust gas, the wear of brake linings, tires and corrosion of crash barriers.