title: Accumulation of persistent organic pollutants in canopies of different forest types: role of species composition and altitudinal-temperature gradient.
abstract: Leaves from the dominant tree species in three different alpine forests were sampled along an altitudinal gradient and analyzed for HCB, alpha- and gamma-HCH, and PCBs. The mean canopy concentration was calculated, considering the relative abundance of each species in the respective forest. Compound fractionation occurred in the vegetation along the altitudinal/temperature gradient. Results were compared with air concentrations and in-field plant/air partition coefficients (K(PA)) were calculated for each species; this showed differences between broadleaves and needles. The mean canopy/air partition coefficient (K(CA)) was also calculated by averaging results from single species. The variability of persistent organic pollutants distribution in canopies is discussed considering two main factors, the altitudinal/temperature gradient and the species composition. The latter is responsible for most of the concentration variability of the more volatile compounds. A model to calculate dry gaseous deposition to different forest canopies is presented.
authors.affiliation: Department of Structural and Functional Biology, University of Insubria, Via ]. H. Dunant 3, 21100 Varese VA, Italy.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nizzetto
authors.forename: Kevin C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gramatica
authors.forename: Ester
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Papa
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cerabolini
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Di Guardo
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants; D000531:Altitude; D017753:Ecosystem; D004777:Environment; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005843:Geography; D007700:Kinetics; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000378:metabolism; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D013696:Temperature; D014197:Trees
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D012989:Soil Pollutants