Chemical composition of throughfall in Pinus eldarica and Cupressus arizonica plantations in a polluted area (Case study: Chitgar forest park)

This research was carried out to compare the chemical composition of throughfall (TF), i.e., lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) as well as electrical conductivity (EC) and acidity (pH) beneath Pinus eldarica and Cupressus arizonica plantations with open field rainfall in the Chitgar Forest Park. The open field rainfall and TF were collected by 10 and 60 manual cylindrical plastic collectors, respectively. ICP was used in order to measure the concentrations of Pb and Cd. Three rainfall events were measured for chemical analysis. Pb and Cd concentrations as well as EC of TF were significantly different among Pinus eldarica, Cupressus arizonica, and the open field rainfall (P. eldarica: 74.07 ppb, 13.25 ppb, and 298 mµ; C. arizonica: 49.98 ppb, 10.75 ppb, and 251 mµ; open field rainfall: 27.22 ppb, 8.55 ppb, and 90.5 mµ). pH showed a significant difference between Pinus eldarica and the open field rainfall. Concerning the efficiency of plantation canopy for cleaning Pb and Cd concentrations of the atmosphere, changes in the amount of chemical compositions will provide an insight into the multiple criteria of selecting species for plantation projects in polluted urban areas.