Arsenic accumulation in some natural and exotic tree and shrub species in Samsun Provience (Turkey)

The bioaccumulation of metalloids especially arsenic (As) concentrations in urban and suburban environments and bioaccumulation of As in natural and exotic tree and shrub species are not well-documented. One of the most significant sources of As are vehicular emissions and coal combustion. The bioaccumulation of As in some natural and exotic tree and shrub species in Samsun and Atakum in Central Black Sea Region of Turkey is studied. Most of the studies about As pollution were carried out in heavily polluted environments such as lead smelters. However, high As concentrations were found for some natural and exotic tree and shrub species in urban and suburban environments in this study. It has been found that M. grandiflora twigs had the highest As concentrations in all of the studied species. Leaf As concentrations were found to be high in E. camaldulensis, P. abies, A. cyanophylla, C. vitalba, and L. vulgare as compared to twigs and flowers, while twigs of O. europaea and M. grandiflora had high As concentrations in Samsun center. E. camaldulensis and A. cyanophylla had high As concentrations in their leaves in Atakum similar to Samsun city center. M. grandiflora twigs and L. vulgare leaves can be used for biomonitoring studies due to high As concentrations in their tissues