Home /Leaf accumulation of trace elements and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Quercus ilex L.

Leaf accumulation of trace elements and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Quercus ilex L.

TitleLeaf accumulation of trace elements and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Quercus ilex L.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2008
AuthorsDe Nicola, F., Maisto G., Prati M. V., & Alfani a.
JournalEnvironmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987)
Volume153
Pagination376-383
Accession Number17892907
KeywordsAir Pollutants, Air Pollutants: analysis, Aromatic, Aromatic: analysis, Atomic, biomonitoring, cadmium, Cadmium: analysis, chromium, Chromium: analysis, Cities, copper, Copper: analysis, Environmental Monitoring, Environmental Monitoring: methods, Iron, Iron: analysis, Italy, lead, Lead: analysis, PAHs, Plant Leaves, Plant Leaves: chemistry, Polycyclic Hydrocarbons, Quercus, Quercus ilex L., Spectrophotometry, Trace Elements, Trace Elements: analysis, Unwashed and washed leaves, Vanadium, Vanadium: analysis, Zinc, Zinc: analysis
Abstract

Quercus ilex L. leaves were collected four times in one year at six urban sites and one remote area in order to determine trace element and PAH accumulation through concomitant analyses of unwashed and water-washed leaves. Both unwashed and washed leaves showed the highest amounts of trace elements and PAHs in the urban area. Unwashed leaves showed greater differences between urban and remote areas and among the urban sites than washed leaves for trace element and PAH concentrations. Water-washing resulted in a significant (P<0.001) decrease in leaf concentrations of Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, V and Zn. By contrast, Cd and total PAH concentrations showed no differences between unwashed and washed leaves.