Trace Metal Concentrations in Pleurozium Schreberi and Taraxacum Officinale Along the Road No. 7

Abstract

The aim of this study is to test two plant species, the common dandelion Taraxacum officinale and moss Pleurozium schreberi, as bio monitors of trace metal pollution emitted by motor vehicles. The samples of the moss Pleurozium schreberi (green segments) and the common dandelion Taraxacum officinale (leaves) were collected within 12 transects along the state road No. E77 near Chyzne, Sothern Poland. The transects were located on the eastern and western side of the road (downwind and upwind towards prevailing winds), at the following distances from the road: 5, 50, 100, 300 500 and 600 m. Total concentrations of Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Sb and Zn in the plant material were determined. The studied species accumulated trace metals in the similar amounts. Statistically significant differences in metal concentrations between two plant species were observed only in the case of Cu and Pb. Copper concentrations were higher in the common dandelion, while the moss Pleurozium schreberi accumulated considerably higher amounts of Pb. There is a statistically significant negative correlation between the trace metal concentrations in plants and the distance to the road. There are also statistically significant differences in concentrations of Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn in the common dandelion between the samples collected from the opposite sides of the road: upwind/downwind towards the prevailing wind direction at the distance up to 300 meters. The concentrations are higher on the downwind side of the road.

Polytrichum formosum and Vaccinium myrtillus as Phytoindicators of Pollutants from Long-Range Emissions of Environmentally Important Protected Areas (The Tatra National Park, the Central Western Carpathians, Poland)

“…The selection of indicator plants was based primarily on the prevalence of given species in the Tatra National Park, followed by the criterion of their ability to accumulate heavy metals. Literature data [8][9][10][11] as well as our own observations [12,13] have provided some indication of the heavy metal accumulation capacity of selected plant species. The moss species Pleurozium schreberi, recommended in the European monitoring programme, has been abandoned owing to its wide geographical range.…”

Heavy Metal Content in the Soil along the Road No. 7 near Chyżne

“…Metal concentrations in the soil decrease with the increasing distance from the road [1,2,16], and the impact range of road traffic is estimated at several hundred meters [1,22,23]. Vehicle traffic contributes to the high accumulation of metals in near road soils, which is even several times higher than in unpolluted areas [1,2,17,24,25].…”

Evaluation of Total Organic Carbon Quantity and Emissions of CO2 from Soil Into the Atmosphere Near Street

“…These include heavy or trace metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and de-icing salts, which are emitted by motor vehicles and road infrastructure. The following metals: Ag, Al, As, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Pd, Pt, Rh, Sb, Se, Sr, V, Zn are among the road traffic contaminants [6]. In roadsides, especially alongside busy highways, heavy metals are accumulated.…”