A phytotool to monitor heavy metal pollution in road side plant using pongamia glabra

The Pongamia tree was evaluated as a phytotool of heavy metals such as Lead (Pb), Copper (Cu), Cadmium (Cd), Manganese (Mn), Zinc (Zn), Chromium (Cr) and Nickel (Ni) around Bagalkot. The soil samples at a depth (0-20cm) and Pongamia glabra leaves were taken from different sampling sites viz, S1, S2, S3, S4, S5 on state high-way with high traffic roads passing through the Bagalkot (Karnataka) were determined by AAS. Results showed that both soil and Pongamia contained elevated levels of the metals. It was found that the primary source of the contamination occurs mainly by the vehicular emissions. The increased circulation of toxic metals in soils and Pongamia may result in the inevitable build up of such xenobiotics in food chain. The variation in heavy metal concentrations is due to changes in traffic density and anthropogenic activities. It is concluded that Pongamia glabra can be used as a phytotool to monitor heavy metal pollution in roadside plants.