An Approach to Bioindicators: Metal Accumulation Profile in Roadside Soils, Grass and Caesalpinia Plant Leaves

Environmental pollution has increasing in tremendous rate after global industrialization that has
negative impacts on human health and ecosystem services. Heavy metals are important
environmental pollutants and their toxicity in human, plants and animals have been received much
more attention. A study was conducted to investigate the heavy metal pollution of roadside soil, grass
and Caesalpinia species of Bagalkot city (India). The highest levels of metal concentration of Pb, Cu,
Cd, Mn, Zn, Cr and Ni were found in the samples from very traffic congestion. The soil samples at a
depth (0-20 cm) grass leaves and Caesalpinia leaves were taken from different sampling sites viz; S1,
S2, S3, S4 and S5 on state high way with high traffic roads passing through Bagalkot (India) were
determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Results showed that soil and both grass and
Caesalpinia contained elevated levels of the metal. It was found that the primary source of the
contamination occurs mainly by the vehicular exhausts. The increased circulation of the toxic metals
in soils, grass and Caesalpinia may result in the inevitable build up of such xenobiotics in the food
chain. The variation in heavy metal concentration is due to the changes in traffic density and
anthropogenic activities.. The heavy metal concentration was maximum in the study area around
Bagalkot indicates the need for pollution control in around city environment. Caesalpinia is widely
distributed at Bagalkot (Navanagar) is used as roadside ornamental plant and the grass is the good
food for grazing animals. In accordance with the data presented here grass and Caesalpinia possess
all characteristics and are selected as bio indicators.