Amount of Mn and Zn in herbaceous plants growing on industrial area of steel production companies in southeast of Ahvaz, Iran

In the present study, a field study was performed on some herbaceous plants growing in the southeast of Ahvaz, where some metal producing industries are active. The aim of this study was to investigate and compare manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) accumulation in seven dominant herbaceous plants in this area. Plant samples were collected randomly. Associated soils were sampled from the same sites next to the root of individual plants. The metals concentration in the soil and the plant samples were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Highest Mn and Zn concentrations were observed in the shoots of Halocnemum strobilaceum, Taraxacum kotschyi, Malva parviflora, and Solanum nigrum. Moreover, elevated accumulation of Mn was found in the roots of Lolium temulentum, and Convolvulus arvensis. Regarding to defined standards for phytoremediation purposes, studied plants could not be classified as hyperaccumulators, at least under field conditions. Nevertheless, based on accounted bioconcentration and translocation factors, it seems that the majority of investigated plants have the metals accumulation capacity in shoot parts.