Eucalyptus camaldulensis a bioindicator of sulphur, zinc and lead in Jos, Nigeria

Abstract

The leaves of

Eucalyptus camaldulensis from Jos and environs, Plateau state, Nigeria, were analysed for Zinc (Zn) and lead (Pb) while the bark were analysed for sulphur (S), Zn and Pb. Soil samples from the same location were also analysed. The aim was to estimate the S, Zn and Pb load of the environment and thus the suitability of the plant as a bio-indicator of these elements. The S content of the bark samples ranged from 0.77 to 1.54mg/g with a mean value of 1.03mg/g, indicating pollution of the environment. The concentration of Zn in the leaf ranged from 5.92 to 69.28 µg/g while the range in the bark was 13.10 – 47.77 µg/g. The concentration of Zn is the soil ranged from 10.41 – 58.46 µg/g The corresponding range of Pb in the leaf was 4.09 – 8.27 µg/g while in the bark the range was 3.98 – 54 µg/g The level of Pb in the soil was 4.32 – 8.70 µg/g Zn was more concentrated in the leaves than the bark while Pb was more concentrated in the bark than the leaves. Zn is an essential element required for metallo-enzyme formation in the leaf, the photosynthetic organ of the plant while Pb is a toxic element and its accumulation in the bark could be a way of getting rid of its toxicity from the plant system.