Nickel Concentration in Soil and Some natural Plant Species around Ahangaran Lead and Zinc Mine in Hamedan

Heavy metals are considered as dangerous environmental pollutants that by entering the food chain causes serious health threats for humankind, plants, as well as other animals. In heavy metals contaminated soils, some plants species can grow and uptake a large amount of metals. These plants are used for decontamination of polluted soils by phyto remediation. In this research concentration of nickel in the soil samples, as well as in six plant species, namely Centaurea virgata lam., Euphorbia cheiradenia, Scariorbia orientalis, Cardaria droba, Gundelia tourmefotii and Euphorbia macrochada, around Ahangaran Lead mine in southeast of Malayer, was analyzed. The statistical analysis of data was done in a randomized incomplete block design. The maximum and minimum concentration ofnickel in the shoots was observed in Euphorbia macroclada with a mean of 23mg/kg and Centaurea virgata lam. 6.7 mg/kg dry weight, respectively. The concentration of nickel in the shoots of plants was shown to negatively correlated with soil pH(r=-0.33), cat ion exchange capacity(r= -0.83), organic material (r= -0.46) while being in positive correlation with salinity (r= 0.37), total (r= 0.203) and available nickel concentrations (r=0.7) in soil.