Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Metals in Transplanted Lichen (Pseudovernia furfuracea) at Sites Adjacent to a Solid-waste Landfill in Central Italy

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate the airborne contamination by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and some heavy metals (arsenic [As], cadmium [Cd], chromium [Cr], copper [Cu], nickel [Ni], lead [Pb], and zinc [Zn]) of different pollution scenarios around a solid-waste landfill in central Italy using the lichen Pseudovernia furfuracea as a monitoring tool. For this purpose, eight stations around a landfill characterized by different air pollution sources (industrial, agricultural, residential areas, and roads with different traffic intensities), together with three stations far from the landfill (control areas), were monitored using a set of 22 lichen samples (11 samples analysed for PAHs and metals after 4 months, and 11 samples analysed for metals after 8 months). After 4 months of exposure, the lichen content of all of the analysed elements was greater than that in the pre-exposed lichens. In addition, the Cu and Pb concentration after 8 months was greater than the level after 4 months. The order of metal concentration was Zn > Pb > Cu (or Cu > Pb) > Cr > Ni > As > Cd in all cases. The range of ∑11PAHs concentration was 634-1,371 ng/g dw (three to seven times greater than the amount in the pre-exposed lichens). The ∑11PAHs were dominated (>70 %) by compounds with three aromatic rings. The comparison of the levels of air pollutants among the monitored stations shows nonrelevant spatial patterns between the landfill stations and the control areas; the levels of PAHs and metals found in the lichen samples around the landfill seemed to be more related to the general diffusion of these pollutants in that area.

Transplanted Lichen Pseudovernia furfuracea as a Multi-Tracer Monitoring Tool Near a Solid Waste Incinerator in Italy: Assessment of Airborne Incinerator-Related Pollutants

“…The collections of lichen thalli were performed following the same previously reported methodology (Guidotti et al 2009;Protano et al 2014). The collected lichen sample was divided into 13 homogeneous subsamples of approximately 10 g. One subsample served as field blank (unexposed control sample) and was immediately analysed for all study analytes, while the remaining 12 subsamples were each placed in a bag (20 9 20 cm) of 1-cm mesh nylon netting.…”

“…This sampling period was chosen to have similar climatic conditions to those of our previous biomonitoring studies conducted with the same lichen species under various scenarios of air pollution (Guidotti et al 2009;Protano et al 2014). In addition, the sampling period was also selected to assess the level of air pollution when the incinerator operated at full load, and to avoid any reduction in the ability of lichen to serve as a biomonitor and bioaccumulator, which is known to occur during the typical summer climatic conditions in western countries (Bergamaschi et al 2007).…”

“…In previous reports, we have demonstrated that the transplantation of the lichen Pseudovernia (P.) furfuracea is suitable for the assessment of airborne contamination by several trace elements and PAHs in multiple environmental settings (Guidotti et al 2009;Protano et al 2014). Besides, recent studies (Cabrerizo et al 2012;Holma-Suutari et al 2014;Augusto et al 2015) have demonstrated that various species of lichens can be used as effective tools for the biomonitoring of airborne contamination related to PCDDs, PCDFs and PCBs.…”

Monitoring Lichen as Indicators of Atmospheric Quality

“…or R. farinacea accumulated more low molecular weight POPs (3-and 4-ringed PAHs) than foliose lichen P. sulcata which was enriched in high molecular weight POPs (5 and 6-ringed PAHs). Lichen biomonitoring studies indicated that PAHs with 2-4 rings are dominated in lichen thallus (Augusto et al 2010;Blasco et al 2011;Bajpai et al 2013;Shukla et al 2013;Nascimbene et al 2014;Protano et al 2014) while in the case of PCDD/Fs, the lichen accumulated mostly from TCDD/Fs to PeCDD/Fs (Augusto et al 2007). Lichens accumulated higher PAH concentrations when compared with other environmental indicators (Fig.…”

“…PAHs pollution present in the ecosystem can be efficiently detected by lichen biomonitoring techniques, and a large number of PAH accumulation in lichens from different regions of the world are available (Guidotti et al 2003;Blasco et al 2006Blasco et al , 2011Augusto et al 2009a;Shukla et al 2010Shukla et al , 2013Nascimbene et al 2014;Protano et al 2014). …”