evaluation of copper concentration on part of aras riparian vegetation

we studied cu concentration on part of aras riparian vegetation. cu was selected as an index metal due to polluting the aras river through agarak copper mines drainage. results of cu concentration in indicator plant have been examined using spss16. considering the situation of the copper mines as well as the habitat of the indicator plant, two stations before and after the exit of the industrial wastewater from the copper mines were determined for sampling. cyperaceae are dominate in places which the quality of aras river is suitable and common reed (phragmites australis) is dominant vegetation where effluents from the copper mine enters the river. this plant was selected as an indicator species and concentration of copper was determined by atomic absorption and according to the standard method (apha) in roots of the plant during growing season. cu concentration in roots of phragmites australis in station 2 (30.6 ppm) after entering pollutants from copper mine is higher than station1 (5.9 ppm).