In this study, X. strumarium L., an alien invasive species, was used for the first time as a biomonitor of selected heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Zn, and Cu) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The soil and plant samples were collected from 15 locations categorized as roads, urban, and rural sites based on origin and intensity of the heavy metals for comparison. All the metal concentrations were quantified from the acid-digested samples using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) to achieve accurate and reliable results. As expected, we found a decreasing trend in heavy metal concentrations in soils and plants from roads to rural control sites (ordered as road > urban > rural). Pearson's correlation analysis was carried out to explore the origin of heavy metals contaminants. We found road traffic vehicles and smelter emissions to be the key drivers, followed by anthropogenic sources such as industrial and domestic wastewater and crush plants. Considering the environmental toxicity of HMs, Cd concentration was above the permissible limit proposed by World Health Organization (WHO), allowing us to forewarn the residents about its potential health risks. This work exposed that X. strumarium appears as a suitable bioindicator based on its strong metal accumulation capacity. Likewise, we concluded that other invasive species could also be utilized for biomonitoring to improve our understanding of the environment's quality more profitably in the region.

在这项研究中，  X . 斯特鲁马里姆 L. 是一种外来入侵物种，首次在巴基斯坦开伯尔普赫图赫瓦省用作选定重金属（Pb、Cd、Zn 和 Cu）的生物监测器。土壤和植物样本是从 15 个地点收集的，根据重金属的来源和强度分为道路、城市和农村地点，以进行比较。使用原子吸收分光光度计 (AAS) 对酸消化样品中的所有金属浓度进行量化，以获得准确可靠的结果。正如预期的那样，我们发现从道路到农村控制点（按道路 > 城市 > 农村排序）的土壤和植物中的重金属浓度呈下降趋势。进行Pearson相关分析，探讨重金属污染物的来源。我们发现道路交通车辆和冶炼厂排放是主要驱动因素，其次是人为来源，例如工业和生活废水以及破碎厂。考虑到重金属的环境毒性，镉浓度高于世界卫生组织（WHO）提出的允许限值，使我们能够提前警告居民其潜在的健康风险。这项工作暴露了十。strumarium因其强大的金属积累能力而成为一种合适的生物指示剂。同样，我们得出的结论是，其他入侵物种也可用于生物监测，以提高我们对该地区环境质量的了解，从而更有利可图。