Eucalyptus camaldulensis a bioindicator of sulphur, zinc and lead in Jos, Nigeria

Abstract

 The  leaves of Eucalyptus camaldulensis from Jos and environs, Plateau state, Nigeria, were analysed for
 Zinc (Zn) and lead (Pb) while the bark were analysed for sulphur (S), Zn and Pb. Soil samples from the
 same location were also analysed. The aim was to estimate the S, Zn and Pb load of the environment and
 thus the suitability of the plant as a bio-indicator of these elements. The S content of the bark samples
 ranged from 0.77 to 1.54 mg/g with a mean value of 1.03mg/g, indicating pollution of the environment.
 The concentration of Zn in the leaf ranged from 5.92 to 69.28 g/g while the range in the bark was 13.10– 47.77 g/g The concentration of Zn is the soil ranged from 10.41 – 58.46 g/g The corresponding
 range of Pb in the leaf was 4.09 – 8.27 g/g while in the bark the range was 3.98 – 54 g/g The level of
 Pb in the soil was 4.32 – 8.70 g/g Zn was more concentrated in the leaves than the bark while Pb was
 more concentrated in the bark than the leaves. Zn is an essential element  required for metallo-enzyme
 formation in the leaf, the photosynthetic organ of the  plant while Pb is a toxic element and its  
accumulation in the  bark could be a way of getting rid of its toxicity  from the  plant system.