Journal
ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT
Volume 35, Issue 36, Pages 6435-6445Publisher
PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
DOI: 10.1016/S1352-2310(01)00348-X
Keywords
Pinus pinea L.; quality of air; chemical and cell analyses; needles; concentrations of lead; atomic absorption spectroscopy
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The influence of air pollution on the chemical composition of Pinus sp. needles was examined in polluted and control sites in and around the city of Palermo (Sicily). The chemical composition of needles indicated the extent of contamination of the trees, which were cytologically examined. Cell analysis was carried out on pine samples, including needles and pollens, from 15 different locations. Biostructural and spectrophotometric tests were performed. In particular, concentrations of toxic (Cd, Pb) and non-toxic metals (Fe,Cu, Zn) were determined, as well as injury caused by their accumulation in the needles. The more highly urbanised areas showed higher concentrations of metals (Pb, Cu. Zn, Fe); only the concentrations of Cd and Mn turned out to be constant in all the sites. Cell analysis revealed displasic cells and secondary metabolite accumulations in trees from polluted sites. These changes observed were most likely caused by the toxic effect of pollutants. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
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