Biomonitoring of atmospheric PAHs using fir and spruce needles in forests in the vicinity of mountain villages*

The aim of the study was to use chemical analyses of spruce and fir needles to determine environmental exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in forests surrounding small mountain towns, including popular tourist destinations. The Beskid Mountains in Poland were chosen as the study area because they are very popular with tourists. The 6- and 12 month old needles were collected in two consecutive years from permanent study plots. Two vintages of needles were used to determine the differences between seasons in the profile of deposited pollutants. Some of plots were located away from roads and buildings, while others were located near tourist destinations. The comparison plots were located in the centre of a tourist resort, near a highway, and in a forest localised in the industrial city characterised by a high degree of urbanization. The analyses of 15 PAHs content showed that the amount and type of compounds retained by the needles were influenced not only by the proximity and amount of the surface emitters, but also by the location of the research sites above sea level. The results obtained can be explained, among other things, by the phenomenon of smog, which is not uncommon in the study region in autumn and winter.

Automated summary

The aim of this study was to determine environmental exposure to PAHs in forests surrounding small mountain towns by analyzing spruce and fir needles. The study area chosen was the Beskid Mountains in Poland, a popular tourist destination. Needles of different ages were collected from study plots located near or away from tourist destinations and analyzed for 15 PAHs content. The results showed that the type and amount of pollutants retained by the needles were influenced by proximity to emission sources and the altitude of the research sites.