Heavy metals content in N-oleander leaves as urban pollution assessment

Nerium oleander L. (Oleander) leaves grown in Palermo city (Sicily, Italy) were collected from six sampling sites representing either areas of high traffic and urbanisation density or areas far away from traffic (e.g: city gardens). Concentration of Al, Ba, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, Mg, Mn, and Zn were determined in leaf samples during two years. Multivariate analysis classified the sampling sites in four groups based on the metal content in vegetal leaves in agreement with traffic and human activity site. Many elements studied (Al, Ba, Fe, Mn Mg) arise from the soil composition and others such as Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn as pollutant of the soil. On the other hand, about 30% of Al, Fe Cr, Cu and Pb originate from aerial deposition on leaves. Although the results presented should be handled with caution N. oleander can be considered as a means of assessing dust contamination in the urban environment.