NERIUM OLEANDER L. AS A BIOMONITOR OF LEAD AND OTHER HEAVY-METAL POLLUTION IN MEDITERRANEAN ENVIRONMENTS

The leaves of Nerium oleander L. (oleander) were tested as a possible biomonitor of heavy metal pollution studied in Antalya along the Medit erranean Sea, Turkey. Fifty-three sites (urban roadside, urban, urban park, suburban andrural) in and around Antalya city were investigated. The concentration of Pb, Cd, Zn and Cu were determined in unwashed an d washed leaves and soils. Differences between the unwashed and washed samples varied according to the metal pollutant. Significant correlat ions were obtained between the heavy metal concentrations in surface s oil and washed leaf samples. Nerium oleander was found to be a useful biomonitor of the determined heavy metals. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B .V.