IInvestigation of Arsenic, Cadmium, and Lead in Eucalyptus Leaves (Eucalyptus Microtheca) and Soil Along the Ahvaz-Andimeshk Road

Objective: Intercity roads can transfer heavy metals to the surrounding environment due to traffic from light and heavy vehicles. This study aimed to investigate the concentrations of heavy metals cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and arsenic (As) in the soil and leaves of eucalyptus trees on the Ahvaz-Andimeshk road in ۲۰۲۵. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at five stations on the Ahvaz-Andimeshk road. In this study, ۱۵ soil samples and ۱۵ leaf samples were collected from five stations. A PerkinElmer Model ۹۰۰T atomic absorption spectrometer, made in the United States, was used to measure heavy metals. Pollution indices, including contamination factor, enrichment factor, geo-accumulation index, ecological risk index, and health indices: Hazard Quotient (HQ) and Hazard Index, were used. Pearson correlation and principal component analysis were used to analyze relationships among heavy metals. Results: No significant differences in the average concentrations of Pb, Cd, and As in soil samples were observed between the studied stations (P>۰.۰۵). The highest average metal concentration in soil and leaves was Pb (۱۸ ± ۰.۹۷ and ۱۳.۲۹ ± ۰.۸۹ mg kg-۱, respectively). The lowest metal concentration in soil and leaves was As (۰.۴۵ ± ۰.۰۷ and ۰.۲۴ ± ۰.۰۳ mg kg-۱, respectively). The bioaccumulation index of Pb (۰.۷۳) and As (۰.۵۳) was higher than that of Cd (۰.۴۳). The non-carcinogenic risk index (HQ) of Pb (۶.۵۷ × ۱۰-۲), Cd (۲.۱۹ × ۱۰-۲), and As (۱.۹۱×۱۰-۲) was higher in children through ingestion, inhalation and dermal exposure. The HQ of Pb, Cd, and As in the soil along the Ahvaz-Andimeshk road was lower than ۱. The carcinogenic risk index of Pb, Cd, and As in the soil along the Ahvaz-Andimeshk road was lower than ۱۰-۶. Conclusion: The bioaccumulation index of Pb, Cd and As in leaves was lower than ۱. According to the results of the non-carcinogenic risk index and carcinogenic risk index, Pb, Cd and As do not pose a significant risk to children and adults.

کلیدواژه ها:

Environmental Monitoring ، Health ، Metals ، Risk Assessment ، Heavy ، Soil Pollutants ، Trees.