The study object was the typical tree species of photinia leaves in Huainan

samples were collected from six different functional areas to analyze the distribution characteristics and sources of Cr

Ni

Cu

Pb and Zn in photinia leaves and their directive role in air pollution. The results showed that the average concentrations of Pb and Zn in leaves of commercial traffic area were significantly higher than those of park green land (P < 0.05)

and even were 2.95 and 1.78 times of the park green space

respectively. The average concentration of Cu in leaves of coal transportation area was significantly higher than that of the residential area (P < 0.05) and park green (P < 0.05)

and was 2.30 and 2.81 times of the residential and park areas

respectively. However

the differences of Ni and Cr in the different functional areas were not statistically significant. The Pb and Zn in photinia leaves mainly came from traffic emissions

Cu mainly came from coal mining

coal-fired power generation and transportation

Ni and Cr primarily from natural sources. There were significant correlations between the concentrations of Cu

Pb and Zn in leaves and the total contents of Cu

Pb and Zn in leaf dust

indicating that the concentrations of Cu

Pb and Zn in photinia leaves were significantly affected by their contents in leaf dust. The Cu

Pb and Zn in the photinia leaves were mainly absorbed from the atmosphere

while Ni and Cr from the soil. Thus

the monitoring of Cu

Pb and Zn in the atmosphere by photinia leaves could achieve good results for air pollution.