THE CHEMISTRY OF THE LEAVES OF PLANT Eucalyptus camaldulensis AS ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION INDICATOR OF SELECTED LOCATIONS AT KIRKUK - IRAQ

Abstract

    The environmental contamination by the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals (Pb, Cu, Ni, Cr, and Cd) concentrations in the leaves of plant Eucalyptus camaldulensis were determined at the city of Kirkuk in 15 selected locations using GPS. The pickings up of samples were carried out in two periods October 2010 and March 2011. Compared with results of other studies, the concentration levels of determined heavy metals show values within these studies results. The average total concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the leaves of Plant Eucalyptus camaldulensis indicated 37.1 ppb in October, while in March 165.2 ppb.

    The model of cumulative effects of heavy metals and PAHs, which were determined by GIS for both sampling periods showed distribution of concentration towards wind directions and away from the site of Kirkuk Oil Refinery at the south east direction and that the refinery was not the only contamination source but there were other sources such as the Kirkuk main vehicle station on the edge of the urban areas.