title: Biomonitoring urban air pollution using transplanted lichens: element concentrations across seasons.
abstract: We investigated the bioaccumulation of selected trace elements in samples of the lichen Evernia prunastri (L.) Ach. transplanted across two seasons in the urban area of Genoa (NW Italy), which is heavily affected by traffic and industrial pollution. Total concentration of most elements did not exhibit differences between seasons, exceptions being Al and Na, higher in summer, and As, Cd, and Ti, higher in winter. Differences emerged in the initial concentrations of some elements in control samples, and this was accounted for by the use of exposed-to-control (EC) ratios, which allowed interpretation of changes in element concentrations. The study area resulted highly polluted, likely by particulate matter, as suggested also by the higher concentrations of airborne PM10 during winter months. Bioaccumulation of particulate matter seems to be affected by differences in rainfall regimes across seasons, since element solubilization and leaching due to precipitation may vary considerably.
authors: Botanic Centre Hanbury, DISTAV, University of Genoa, Corso Dogali 1 M, 16136, Genova, Italy, paola.malaspina@unige.it.
authors: Paola
authors: P
authors: Malaspina
authors: Sara
authors: S
authors: Tixi
authors: Giorgio
authors: G
authors: Brunialti
authors: Luisa
authors: L
authors: Frati
authors: Luca
authors: L
authors: Paoli
authors: Paolo
authors: P
authors: Giordani
authors: Paolo
authors: P
authors: Modenesi
authors: Stefano
authors: S
authors: Loppi
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D000397:Air Pollution; D000535:Aluminum / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D001151:Arsenic / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D001203:Ascomycota / Q000737:chemistry; D002104:Cadmium / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D007558:Italy; D008011:Lichens / Q000737:chemistry*; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D012621:Seasons; D012964:Sodium / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D014025:Titanium / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D052638:Particulate Matter; D002104:Cadmium; D012964:Sodium; D000535:Aluminum; D014025:Titanium; D001151:Arsenic