The spatial distribution of different elements in and on the foliage of Norway spruce growing in Switzerland.
This study centres around the question of how far the analysis of spruce needles (Picea abies L.) provides a suitable tool for detecting and describing large-scale air pollution, primarily by heavy metals, in Switzerland. For that reason 1637 spruce shoots from 833 sites were analysed, relationships between the different elements were calculated and maps of their spatial distribution drawn. The results show that needle analysis is a valid instrument for the identification of various air pollutants in Switzerland. The element best suited is Pb, followed by some others like Mo, Fe, Cd or S. The most heavily polluted areas in Switzerland are the midlands, and in the north and north-west. Their spatial distribution suggests that in these areas the indicator elements are derived from local sources.
Landolt
W
W
Swiss Federal Institute of Forestry Research, CH-8903 Birmensdorf, Switzerland.
Guecheva
M
M
Bucher
J B
JB