o:6436 Phytoremediation by trees as a nature‑based solution for mitigating metal contamination in urban soils en Trace metals in the environment are important pollutants affecting human health, particularly in urban areas worldwide. Phytoremediation as a nature-based solution (NBS) and environmentally friendly technology may decrease high concentrations of trace metals in urban soils, protecting public health (especially children) and contributing to urban sustainability. This study examined trace metal contamination of urban soils and trees in six cities in the Republic of Srpska (RS), Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and investigated the potential of selected tree species for phytoremediation as a NBS for metalpolluted urban soils. Contamination of urban soils was assessed by quantifying the concentrations of 11 trace metals (B, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, and Zn). To estimate phytoremediation potential of urban tree species, concentration and bioconcentration factor of the 11 metals were quantified in leaves of three common and abundant tree species: Aesculus hippocastanum L. (horse chestnut), Platanus acerifolia Willd. (plane), and Tilia sp. (lime). The results showed that trace metal concentrations in leaf samples did not exceed toxicity threshold guideline values. Further assessments are needed to establish the true potential of the three species as NBS for urban soils. Nature-based solutions, Phytoremediation, Soil contamination, Trace metals, Trees, Urban soils 1552099 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-024-32773-5 1552102 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11356-024-32773-5 2024-12-09T09:38:21.638Z 44 yes 46 Marijana Kapović Solomun 0000-0001-5757-5663 46 Zorana Hrkić Ilić 0000-0002-3250-9843 46 Zahra Kalantari 0000-0002-7978-0040 46 Saša Eremija 0000-0002-7365-721X 46 Ilija Čigoja 0000-0002-6658-3099 46 Carla Ferreira 0000-0001-6317-4516 46 Goran Češljar 0000-0003-0438-1050 application/pdf 1327580 https://unilib.phaidrabg.rs/o:6436 no yes 16 70 92000001 2024 71A07 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 31 (17) 24936 24950 Springer Nature Link 2024