The use of olive tree (Olea europaea L.) leaves as a bioindicator for environmental pollution in the Province of Aydın, Turkey.
BACKGROUND
In this study, olive tree leaves, collected from 50 sampling sites throughout the Province of Aydın, Turkey, were used to estimate level of pollution by measuring Al, As, B, Ba, Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Sr, and Zn concentrations and calculating pollution factor (PF) values.


METHODS
After sample preparation, collected leaves were microwave digested, and extracts were analyzed by an inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer.


CONCLUSIONS
The maximum PF values were ≥10 for a number of elements ranging from 11-13 (Al, As, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni) to >100 for Cu, Li, and Na. Urban-rural and roadside-nonroadside concentration comparisons showed that some of the elements (As, Cu, and Pb) were at significantly higher levels on urban and/or roadside sampling sites.


CONCLUSIONS
Correlations and factor analysis showed that there may be common sources for some elements, which included several soil types and anthropogenic activities. Based on the results of the statistical source apportionment, possible sources were narrowed down with help of the constructed elemental concentration maps. In conclusion, utilization of olive tree leaves for biomonitoring and assessment of environmental pollution was shown to be possible in the Mediterranean region where they are indigenous and cultivated.
Turan
Dilek
D
Department of Chemical Engineering, İzmir Institute of Technology, Gülbahçe, Urla, 35430, İzmir, Turkey.
Kocahakimoglu
Cemre
C
Kavcar
Pınar
P
Gaygısız
Handan
H
Atatanir
Levent
L
Turgut
Cafer
C
Sofuoglu
Sait C
SC
D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000378:metabolism*; D004787:Environmental Pollution / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D031658:Olea / Q000378:metabolism*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000378:metabolism*; D014421:Turkey
D004785:Environmental Pollutants