Abstract

Observations and analysis based on using scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrographs have been carried out to describe the impact of pollution caused by the emitted cement dust from the cement factory on the plant diversity of the surrounding area of Al-Rashadyah/ Tafila cement factory. Leaves of five selected species of Crataegus aronia, Gundelia tournefortii, Anchusa strigosa, Lactuca orientalis and Astragalus bethlehmiticus, from five localities within the study area based on their easily sampling and their availability in all localities during the period of collection were used for assessing the impact of the cement dust. A species of C. aronia was chosen as control species grown in Wadi Shuaib 200 km to the north of the study area. The results indicate that plants species grown near the cement factory are covered with higher amounts of dust accumulations than those grown at long distance from the factory. The analysis of SEM shows many different elements deposited on the leaves of all plants that have been sampled in the study area such as: calcium, potassium, aluminum and others, and it was found that calcium has the highest concentration than the other mineral salts.

Key words: Plant diversity, pollution, Tafila, Jordan.