Introduction to the native plant species with phytoremediation potential growing in a high Fe and Zn contaminated site in the copper mine of Dehmadan, Iran

Mining activity is one main source of heavy metal pollution. In this study, Al, Ba, Be, Ca, Cd, Co, Ce, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ga, Gd, K, La, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Nb, Nd, Ni, P, Pb, S, Sc, Si, Sr, Ti, V, Y, Zn and Zr were measured by ICP-OES analyzing of the soils taken in the Dehmadan mining area, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, Iran. Al, Fe, Cu, Si and Zn were the most frequent metals in the mining area. Phytoremediation is one of the eco-friendly methods to effectively remediate soils contaminated with heavy metals. Consequently, the wild plants were collected from the mining area and subjected to ICP-OES analysis to determine the elements concentrations. A reverse relation was observed between the metals concentrations and vegetation density in the mining area. Finally, the bioconcentration factor (BCF) of the root and shoot, and translocation factor (TF) were determined to assess phytoremediation potential of species. The shoot elements concentrations in combination with BCF and TF greater than 1 were assess to determine hyperaccumulators and plants with excluder potential. Overall, the results showed that BCF in parallel with TF and metals concentrations can advance the knowledge of recognizing hyperaccumulators for phytoremediation of polluted environment.