Fossil fuels combustion is the main source of heavy metal pollution in urban soils. Some plants can accumulate great amounts of these pollutants in their tissues, making them effective tools for soil bioremediation and pollution monitoring. This study has examined the ability of Ligustrum vulgare in refining and screening soil contamination. Soil and Ligustrum vulgare L. leaf samples in four main Shahinshahr boulevards were analyzed for selected macro and micro-elements. The average of vehicle traffics was determined at each boulevard. Boulevard with highest traffic rate tended to show the lowest content of nutritional elements in the soil. The same boulevard, however, demonstrated maximum levels of Zn, Fe, Na, Cl, Ca and minimum levels of B, Cu, and Mn in plant leaves. Pb, Cu and Co content of soils have the most influential effects on leaf elemental contents.
