JWSS - Journal of Water and Soil Science

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Mashalpour Fard R, Mohammadi Rouzbahani M, Sabzalipour S, Attarroshan S, Behbash R. Biological Index of Tree Leaves (Albizia lebbeck, Prosopis cineraria, and Eucalyptus globulus) in Ahvaz City for Nickel Monitoring. J Water Soil Sci. 2026; 30 (3) :193-206
URL: http://jstnar.iut.ac.ir/article-1-4562-en.html

Nickel (Ni) is an essential element for living organisms and plays important biological roles in plants; however, its accumulation at high concentrations can cause toxicity and adverse effects. This study aimed to evaluate nickel accumulation using the leaves of Albizia lebbeck, Prosopis cineraria, and Eucalyptus globulus as biological indicators in Ahvaz City during the summer of 2025. A total of 126 leaf samples and 63 soil samples were collected from seven stations across Ahvaz City. Chemical digestion of the leaf and soil samples was performed using the Johnson and EPA 3050 methods, respectively. Nickel concentrations were determined using atomic absorption spectrometry. Significant differences were observed in Ni concentrations among the leaves of Albizia lebbeck, Prosopis cineraria, and Eucalyptus globulus (P < 0.05), whereas no significant difference was observed in Ni concentrations among the soil samples (P > 0.05). The highest and lowest Ni concentrations in the unwashed and washed leaves of Albizia lebbeck were 36.2 and 10.3 mg kg⁻¹, respectively. The highest and lowest Ni concentrations in the soil samples collected from the tree rhizospheres were 57.36 and 44.1 mg kg⁻¹, respectively. The highest Ni transfer factor was observed in Albizia lebbeck leaves (0.446), whereas the lowest was observed in Eucalyptus globulus leaves (0.203). The Ni transfer factors for the leaves of Albizia lebbeck, Prosopis cineraria, and Eucalyptus globulus, together with the linear regression analysis of Ni concentrations in washed and unwashed leaves, indicate that atmospheric deposition may be an important source of Ni accumulation in the leaves. In contrast, the contribution of soil-derived Ni to leaf accumulation appears to be relatively low.