Pollution Assessment Based on Element Concentration of Tree Leaves and Topsoil in Ayutthaya Province, Thailand

Abstract

Atmospheric aerosol particles containing heavy metal contaminants deposit on the surface of plant leaves and the topsoil. Our aim was to reveal the pollution along an industrial–urban–rural gradient (IURG) in the central provinces of Thailand. Leaf samples from Ficus religiosa and Mimusops elengi were collected along with topsoil samples under the selected trees. Al, Ba, Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, and Zn concentrations were determined by ICP-OES in soil and plant samples. Soils were not polluted according to the critical value; furthermore, the elemental composition did not differ among the sampling sites of the IURG. The rural site was also polluted due to heavy amounts of untreated wastewater of the adjacent Chao Phraya River. Bioaccumulation factors of Ba, Cu, and Mn was higher than 1, suggesting active accumulation of these elements in plant tissue. Our findings proved that the deposition of air pollutants and the resistance to air pollutants in the case of plant leaves were different and that humus materials of the soils had relevant role in bioaccumulation of Al, Ba, and Cu. At the same time, the geochemical background, the source of pollution, and the local plant species greatly influence the metal content of any given environmental compartment.

Assessment of the level of pollution based on soil andTilia × europaealeaves

“…In relation to the higher or lower content of elements in the soil, the elements with the highest concentration in urban area were Ba, Zn and Ni, these results are similar to those performed in urban soils of Vienna (Austria) where the concentrations of Ba and Zn were also among the highest of the elements analyzed (Simon et al 2013). Molnár et al (2020) demonstrated that T. × europaea is sensitive to air pollutants based on the air pollution tolerance index (APTI). Serbula et al (2013) showed that pine needles responded more intensively to pollution than Tilia.…”

“…Our study by Molnár et al (2020) demonstrated that T. × europaea is sensitive to air pollutants based on the air pollution tolerance index (APTI). Serbula et al (2013) showed that pine needles responded more intensively to pollution than Tilia.…”

“…Earlier studies reported that urbanization directly and indirectly affects soil as an essential resource; accumulation of heavy metals can modify the quality of soil and agricultural products, and thus, they have adverse effects on humans, animals, and the ecosystem health (Nagajyoti et al 2010, Ihenetu et al 2024 Trees play an essential role in urban vegetated areas (Ma et al 2022, Wang and. Plant leaves can accumulate air pollutants in high concentrations; air pollutant particles can also be deposited in the leaves of plants due to their stomatal openings and waxy cuticles (Bibi et al 2023, Molnár et al 2020, Simon et al 2021. The genus Tilia is generally used as biomonitors of trace elements to assess the effect of urbanization and industrialization on terrestrial environments (Zeb et al 2022, Andrianjara et al 2024.…”

“…Trees play an essential role in urban vegetated areas (Ma et al 2022, Wang and Zhang 2022). Plant leaves can accumulate air pollutants in high concentrations; air pollutant particles can also be deposited in the leaves of plants due to their stomatal openings and waxy cuticles (Bibi et al 2023, Molnár et al 2020, Simon et al 2021). The genus Tilia is generally used as biomonitors of trace elements to assess the effect of urbanization and industrialization on terrestrial environments (Zeb et al 2022, Andrianjara et al 2024).…”

Especies vegetales con uso potencial en la remediación de zonas contaminadas en México

“…A nivel mundial los derrames de petróleo afectan el suelo y los sistemas acuáticos, e in cluso los contaminantes atmosféricos que con tienen metales pesados, afectan a la totalidad de los ecosistemas (FernándezLinares et al 2006, RodríguezEugenio et al 2019, Molnár et al 2020. Por lo tanto, el problema de la con taminación ambiental es, sin duda, uno de los más importantes por resolver.…”