title: Pinus nigra and Pinus pinaster needles as passive samplers of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
abstract: Nine polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were analysed in pine needles of different ages (from 6 to 30 months) collected from two species, Pinus nigra and Pinus pinaster, in seven sites located along a transect from a suburban to a rural area of Genoa (Italy). In all sites and for both species, concentrations of more volatile PAHs (phenanthrene, anthracene, fluoranthene, pyrene) were higher than those for other less volatile PAHs, which are preferentially sorbed to airborne particulates (benzo[a]anthracene, chrysene, benzofluoranthenes, benzo[a]pyrene). Concentrations of total PAHs found in P. nigra in the rural sites were, on the average, 2.3 times higher than those in P. pinaster growing nearby. In both pine species, concentrations of volatile PAHs increased according to needle age. Annual trends of other PAHs were more variable, with a general decrease in older needles. P. pinaster needles are shown to be more reliable passive samplers, since they are more resistant to plant diseases, and considerable variation in PAH concentration was observed in P. nigra needles with moulds and fungi.
authors.affiliation: Environmental Chemistry Laboratory, National Cancer Research Institute, Genova. L.go Rosanna Benzi n. 10, 16132 Genova, Italy. chimamb@istge.it
authors.forename: Maria Teresa
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Piccardo
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pala
authors.forename: Bruna
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bonaccurso
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stella
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Redaelli
authors.forename: Gaudenzio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Paola
authors.forename: Federico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Valerio
mesh_terms: D000327:Adsorption; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods; D004777:Environment; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D005658:Fungi / Q000502:physiology; D028223:Pinus / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000382:microbiology; D035261:Plant Components, Aerial / Q000737:chemistry; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons