Use of Dendrochronology and Dendrochemistry in Environmental Forensics: Does It Meet theDaubertCriteria?

Comparison of Phytoscreening and Direct‐Push‐Based Site Investigation at a Rural Megasite Contaminated with Chlorinated Ethenes

“…The observed concentration profiles can be explained by (1) historical groundwater contamination and (2) biological and physicochemical processes (leading to lateral movement across tree rings), but there seems to be more evidence for the latter explanation. A historical (dendrochronological) evaluation is however feasible by monitoring the mineralization products (chloride) in tree rings (Balouet and Oudijk ; Burken et al ), keeping in mind uncertainty due to possible additional chloride sources (Balouet et al ). Annual growth of tree rings can be reduced when levels of chlorinated ethenes in groundwater are higher (as observed by Algreen et al ), which can give another hint on the historical development of the plume.…”

“…The state‐of‐the‐art site characterization is generally motivated by two facts: (1) contaminated land management is often, if not always, fraught with legal issues and responsibilities, and therefore only “ground‐trusted” information is considered appropriate to face scrutiny in court, and (2) many other approaches, based on less‐invasive techniques, at the present stage seem not mature enough to face the same requirement of legal robustness (Balouet et al ; Döberl et al ; Wolff ). Based on the data derived from phytoscreening, DP, and conventional monitoring wells, we can show that a combination of all three results would allow gathering of more and more precise information with similar efforts.…”

“…In addition, DP‐based groundwater sampling enables screening investigations in comparison to conventional groundwater drilling in a much more time‐ and cost‐efficient way (Rein et al ). However, such newly applied methods need to be tested and validated properly before being considered resistant to a legal scrutiny (Balouet et al ; Wolff ). In a recent study, the DP method for site investigation has been compared to the conventional investigation based on concentration measurements in monitoring wells installed in areas suspected of being polluted (Rein et al ).…”

Determination of Metal Concentration in Road-Side Trees from an Industrial Area Using Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry

“…However, depending on the elements, the radial and vertical movements vary [21]. For example, elements with low levels of movement through the xylem in Norway spruce (coniferous) include Pb, Cd, Al, and Ba, elements with moderate movement include Sr, Ca, Zn, Cu, and Cr, and elements with high movement include As, Na, and Mg [33]. Genus Salix is able to accumulate significant quantities of metals in both leaves and roots, but the elements were detected with different patterns in the leaves, stems, and roots [34].…”

Phytotechnologies – Preventing Exposures, Improving Public Health

“…Novel analytical techniques and a unique application of dendrochronology and dendrochemistry have been applied to reconstruct potential contaminant exposure from previous contaminant releases using contamination trapped in tree core rings to reveal the history of contamination at a site (Balouet et al 2012). These methods have been validated as forensic tools (Balouet et al 2009), and are relevant to public health because today’s disease incidences are likely to be related to past exposures. Technology that allows detection and quantification of past exposures will be an invaluable tool for establishing a link between exposure and disease, particularly in diseases with long latency periods.…”