Trace Metal Concentrations in Pine Needles at Varying Elevation in Proximity to Roadways in an Urban Environment

Abstract

Conifer needles bioaccumulate atmospheric pollutants, including trace metals, and may be used to monitor variations in atmospheric concentration. Needles were analyzed to determine whether a correlation exists between elevations and trace metal concentrations in proximity to roadways and other non-point sources. Composite samples of white spruce (Picea glauca) and balsam fir (Abies balsamea) needles were collected along hillsides in eastern and western Calgary, respectively. A combined total of 11 sites was sampled along two transects of increasing elevation. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of trace metal concentrations was completed using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and synthesized using regression analysis. The concentrations of cobalt, nickel, and calcium in the samples were found to exhibit a significant (P < 0.05) relationship with respect to elevation and proximity to roadways.

Assessment of metals in PM10 filters and Araucaria heterophylla needles in two areas of Quito, Ecuador

“…The highest concentrations were also observed for Ca, Mg, K, Al and Fe in the PM 10 filters (see Table 3). Similar sequence for metal accumulation was also obtained in works using biomonitors such as mosses (Lazo et al, 2019;Stafilov et al, 2018;Steinnes et al, 2016), pine needles (Brown et al, 2017) and lichen (Bergamaschi et al, 2007). Ca, Mg and K are macronutrients considered essential for plant metabolism and therefore are part of the tissue composition (Fern andez and Carballeira, 2000).…”

“…Nevertheless, there are very few studies that address the relationship between metals accumulated in filters and plants, especially in conifer needles. Previous studies indicate that the use of conifers can be more effective in monitoring the concentration of metals than broad-leaved trees, mainly because the needles have additional resin channels that facilitate the capture of metals (Brown et al, 2017;Chen et al, 2017). Araucaria heterophylla is a conifer species of interest.…”

Inter- and Intra-Population Variation of Foliage Calcium and Magnesium in Two Chinese Pine Species

“…Foliar nutrient concentration might be the result of a complex interaction between soil nutrients and effective availability caused by climate, water, and other site and treatment effects [ 58 ]. Previous studies identified Ca concentration of pine needles was significant relative to elevation [ 73 ]. In our study, the Ca concentration of P. massoniana also displayed a positive and significant correlation with elevation.…”