Effect of cement dust on diversity and antioxidant enzyme activities of plants growing around a cement factory

The present study investigated the effect of cement dust on diversity and antioxidant enzyme activities of plants growing around a cement factory. Thirty-six plant species were identified at a distance of 2,000 m from the outer zone of a cement factory (Askale-Erzurum, Turkey). Only 12 of these species were also found within 0-100 m (densely dusted area) of the cement factory. In order to evaluate the antioxidative responses of these 12 species within this dense-dusted area, the activities of peroxidase (POX), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were determined within the plant leaves. In Artemisia spicigera, Crambe orientalis, and Convolvulus sepium plants, the activities of POX and SOD were low while that of CAT was high. In contrast, POX and SOD activity was high in Medicago varia, Isatis candolleana, and Astragalus christianus plants, while that of CAT was low. In Lactuca seriola and Senecio vernalis, however, the activity levels of the three enzymes were interestingly low. In four remaining species (Anchusa leptophylla, Euphorbia orientalis, Taraxacum androssovii and Tragopogon albinervis), the enzyme activities fluctuated between the plants collected in 0-100 m sample area, and those from the sample site 2,000 m from the factory. These findings suggest that Artemisia spicigera, Crambe orientalis, and Convolvulus sepium have a more effective defense system than the other species studied. The findings of this study will contribute to the selection of plant species for cultivation in cement-dust contaminated fields.