Traffic pollution affects tree-ring width and isotopic composition of Pinus pinea.
This study presents new evidence that radiocarbon, combined with dendrochronological and stable isotopes analysis in tree rings and needles, can help to better understand the influence of pollution on trees. Pinus pinea individuals, adjacent to main roads in the urban area of Caserta (South Italy) and exposed to large amounts of traffic exhaust since 1980, were sampled and the time-related trend in the growth residuals was estimated. We found a consistent decrease in the ring width starting from 1980, with a slight increase in delta(13)C value, which was considered to be a consequence of environmental stress. No clear pattern was identified in delta(15)N, while an increasing effect of the fossil fuel dilution on the atmospheric bomb-enriched (14)C background was detected in tree rings, possibly as a consequence of the increase in traffic exhausts. Our findings suggested that radiocarbon is a very sensitive tool to investigate small-scale (i.e. traffic exhaust at the level crossing) and large-scale (urban area pollution) induced disturbances.
WSL Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research, CH-8903 Birmensdorf, Switzerland. giovanna.battipaglia@wsl.ch
Giovanna
G
Battipaglia
Fabio
F
Marzaioli
Carmine
C
Lubritto
Simona
S
Altieri
Sandro
S
Strumia
Paolo
P
Cherubini
M Francesca
MF
Cotrufo
D002247:Carbon Isotopes / Q000032:analysis; D002947:Cities; D002980:Climate; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004787:Environmental Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005843:Geography; D007554:Isotopes / Q000032:analysis*; D007558:Italy; D009587:Nitrogen Isotopes / Q000032:analysis; D028223:Pinus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D018547:Plant Stems / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D001335:Vehicle Emissions / Q000633:toxicity*
D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D007554:Isotopes; D009587:Nitrogen Isotopes; D001335:Vehicle Emissions