This research was aimed to assess the pollution from Tartous Cement Factory of
some heavy metal by using of the bark of olive trees and Lichens as Bio-indicators. The
olive trees was chosen as that predominant vegetation type in the study area. Bar
k samples
of olive trees and the lichens were collected from several villages surrounding the Cement
Factory at different distances (1-2-3-4-5-6-7) km from the center of the Cement Factory in
the eastern and north-eastern region of the Cement plant (where the prevailing winds in the
region is western and southern Western).
The results showed that the concentration of heavy elements in the bark of olive trees
and lichens (ppm) take the same trend even thought there are differences in concentration
between them by the overall average for all sites was as follows: iron > manganese >
copper > lead. We note the high concentration of iron in bark of olive trees compared to
lichens, but the rest of the elements it was statistically identical. The results also showed a
significant correlation between the concentrations of manganese element in each of the
bark and Lichens, and the existence of a negative correlation between the concentration of
manganese and distance for both Lichens and bark. Concerning the altitude above sea level
the results showed existence of significant and negative correlation with all of Iron,
Manganese and Lead in Lichens.
