Resumen

ALCALA, Jorge et al. Heavy metals in tree vegetation as an indicator of the urban environmental quality: city of Chihuahua, Mexico. Multequina [online]. 2008, vol.17, n.1, pp.39-54. ISSN 1852-7329.

Vegetation represents a potential for determining technical elements that contribute to the restoration of the environment in urban areas. For this reason, a study in the city of Chihuahua was developed to determine the capacity of concentration of heavy metals in five tree species to establish them as an indicator of environmental quality. It was rated the leaf material of 75 trees during the autumn, spring and summer seasons. The sampling sites were established pursuant to land uses: commercial and services, mixed industry, heavy industry, highmiddle residential class and low popular residential. Applying Technology ICP-OES, optical spectrometry inductively coupled plasma, were measured concentrations of Ni, Cu, Co, V, Ti, Pb and Cd. Adjusting a model with Minitab program were the interactions tested between the species, site and season regarding concentrations of heavy metals, which themselves were determined through square means. It is emphasizes that the species factor was with Ni (P <0,037), Co (P<0,071), V (P <0,005), Ti (P<0,001) and Pb (P <0,026). Cypress (Cupressus arizonica) proved to be the species with greater holding capacity of these metals, being sites that these metals were more concentrated residential low class area modality in the autumn and heavy industry in the spring. These results provided elements for urban environmental policy and the need for indicator species to determine the status of environmental quality and can be used as phytoremediation.

Palabras clave : Bioindicator; Pollution; Soil use; Urban development.

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