Original scientific paper
Growth of Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth. (Mimosaceae) in Polluted Soils of Landhi and Korangi Industrial Areas of Karachi, Pakistan
Syed Atiq-ur- Rehman
; Govt. Degree College, Department of Botany, Buffer Zone, Karachi-75850, Pakistan
Muhammad Zafar Iqbal
; University of Karachi, Department of Botany, Karachi- 75270, Pakistan
Mohammad Athar
; California Department of Food and Agriculture, 3288 Meadowview Road, Sacramento, CA 95832, USA
Abstract
Growth of Albizia lebbeck was observed in the polluted soils from towel, garment, rubber and ply board factories in the vicinity of Landhi and Korangi industrial areas of Karachi. Growth of A. lebbeck was reduced in most of the industrial area soils as compared to the control soil from Karachi University campus. The rubber factory soil reduced all the growth parameters as compared to the control soil. Percentage of soil pollutants (total soluble salts and available sulfate) in all of the industrial area soils was higher than in the control area soil. Percentage of coarse sand, calcium carbonate, total soluble salts, available sulfate, and chromium was higher in soil of rubber factory then in the control area soil whereas percentage of water holding capacity, organic matter and zinc was lower in soil from rubber factory than in the control area soil. This showed that the soil of industrial areas of Landhi and Korangi particularly from rubber factory and ply board factory was contaminated by the pollutants in the area and drastically affected the plant growth. The findings of this research could be helpful in monitoring and controlling the pollutant levels in soils of the industrial areas. Such information could also be useful for landscaping and urban planning.
Keywords
Albizia lebbeck; plant growth; industrial soil; soil pollutants; heavy metals; soil physical and chemical properties
Hrčak ID:
70645
URI
Publication date:
23.6.2011.
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