Heavy Metals Accumulation in the Natural Vegetation of Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia

This study aimed to show the role of industrial activity on plant accumulation of some heavy metals and the possibility to use some plant species as bioindicator for heavy metals contamination. The examined plant species were Anabasis setifera, Cyperus conglomeratus, Halocnemum strobilaceum, Haloxylon salicornicum, Panicum turgidum, Pennisetum divisum, Salsola baryosma, Seidlitzia rosmarinus, Suaeda vermiculata and Zygophyllum coccineum. Cu, Mn, Zn and Fe concentration significantly varied among studied sites. Plant species grown at Al-Jubail (the area with high intensive industrial activities) accumulated higher concentrations than Al-Ugair (the area with light industrial activities), while the lowest concentrations were recorded from plant species grown at Salwa (the area with no industrial activity). Wide variations were noticed among the examined plant species in their concentrations of Cu, Mn, Zn and Fe. The ability of the examined plant species in Cu accumulation almost the same except Anabasis setifera, Suaeda vermiculata and Seidlitzia rosmarinus. Haloxylon salicornicum accumulated the highest Mn concentration, followed by Salsola baryosma. The highest Zn concentration was noticed with Salsola baryosma, followed by Pennisetum divisum and Cyperus conglomerates. Plant species contained high levels of Fe were Cyperus conglomerates followed by Halocnemum strobilaceum and Suaeda vermiculata