Heavy Metals in Sediments and Plants of the Yellow River Wetland Nature Reserve of Zhengzhou, China

In this study, heavy metal contents (Cu, Cr, Pb, Mn, Cd) were measured in sediments and plants from Yellow River wetland Nature Reserve of Zhengzhou, China. 6 species of family Compositae, 5 species of family Gramineae and samples of sediments were taken from 4 different sites and analyzed by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer for elemental contents. In general, sediments in the study area were mainly contaminated by Mn, Cd, Cr and Pb. Compared with the contents of elements in sediments, the accumulation levels in plants decreased in the order Cd > Cu > Pb > Cr > Mn. The accumulation abilities of Cu, Pb and Cd of family Gramineae were greater than the Compositae, and Triticum aestivum L. and Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. of family Gramineae were the effective index plants for these elements.