Determination of Cadmium in Roadside Soil and Plants in Erbil, Iraq

In recent years the number of cars has been growing rapidly due to which the pollution load in soil is increasing gradually. Generally, heavy metal contamination of the soil has raised concerns in recent years due to its potential effects not only on human health but also on the plant system. To knowledge the consequences of Cadmium (Cd) on plant systems, in the current study we collected the soil samples and Hordeum, Triticum and Vicia faba plants from two different highway sides (Erbil-Altun Kupri and Erbil-Koya). The results of statistical analysis of variance show that there were no significant differences between distances (P < 0.003) as well as between plant samples (P < 0.000), while the interaction between plant samples, distance and locations is opposite (P > 0.33). Vehicle emission could cause mitotic irregularities consisting of anaphase bridges, chromosome breaks, stickiness, and micronuclei. The intensity of Cd effects is basically relying on the Cd concentration and plant type.