title: Relationship between levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in pine needles and socio-geographic parameters.
abstract: The ability of pine needles to capture polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from the surrounding air is well known. In this work the current knowledge of this affinity will be enhanced, investigating the plausible links between the concentrations of PAHs found in pine needles collected in different sites in Portugal, and several socio-geographic variables with environmental relevance. Canonical correlation analysis (CCA) has proven to be a suitable and innovative technique to look for relationships within environmental datasets. In the current work, CCA will simultaneously include chemical information (concentration of PAHs found in pine needles) and socio-geographic information associated to the sampling areas. In order to be more robust in these conclusions, Pinus pinea and Pinus pinaster species were considered separately, allowing an accurate direct comparison between them. The information concerning the different seasons and land occupation was also taken into account. Our results demonstrate how CCA can be a useful tool in environmental impact assessment, and highlight the importance of pine needles as trustful biomonitors of the influence of socio-geographic parameters on the levels of PAHs in a given area.
authors: Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
authors: Raquel
authors: R
authors: Fernández-Varela
authors: Physics of the Earth, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", University of Murcia, Edificio CIOyN, Campus de Espinardo, 30100 Murcia, Spain; LEPABE, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal. Electronic address: nrneto@um.es.
authors: Nuno
authors: N
authors: Ratola
authors: LEPABE, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal.
authors: Arminda
authors: A
authors: Alves
authors: Department of Food Science, Spectroscopy and Chemometrics, Faculty of Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 30, DK-1958 Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
authors: José Manuel
authors: JM
authors: Amigo
mesh_terms: D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004777:Environment; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D005419:Flavonoids; D028223:Pinus / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis*; D011174:Portugal; D012621:Seasons
chemical_list: D005419:Flavonoids; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; C024070:pycnogenols
keywords: Canonical correlation; Environmental pollution; PAHs; Pinus pinaster; Pinus pinea