PHYSIOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL MARKERS IN THE PROCESS OF RESISTANCE OF HEAVY METALS IN THE ABANDONED MINING AREA OF SIDI KAMBER, SKIKDA, ALGERIA

Abstract

Mining activities produce large quantities of wastes which are highly contaminated with heavy metals. This can cause adverse effects on natural ecosystems, particularly on living organisms. The study reported here concerned the biomonitoring of pollution in the Sidi Kamber mining area, through the determination of various physiological mechanisms (bioaccumulation and translocation) and biochemical markers (chlorophyll (a) and (b), proline, total sugars and total proteins) active in resistance to heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn) contamination, using three plant species Cistus monspeliensis, Rumex bucephalophorus and Verbascum sinuatum as bioindicators.