title: Rare earths and trace elements contents in leaves: A new indicator of the composition of atmospheric dust.
abstract: The relationship between the trace element distribution in atmospheric particles and leaves of some exposed plants in the environment was recently demonstrated. This indication would suggest that the trace element analysis of leaves in these plants could provide information about the composition, nature and origin of the atmospheric dust dispersed in the environment. In order to corroborate this hypothesis, the distribution of trace elements and Rare Earths were studied in leaves of some endemic plants, in the atmospheric fallout and in soils of rural, urban and industrial ecosystems in Sicily. These elements have been chosen to discriminate the source and nature of different source on atmospheric dust and the larger capability of the composition of the latter materials to influence the metal ion distribution in leaves of studied plants rather than the soil composition. These evidences are related to the recognition both of positive La anomaly and trace element enrichments in studied leaves and to their particular V/Th and Co/Ni signature. On the other hand, some particular normalised REE features recognised in leaves suggest that a limited contribution to the REE budget in studied leaves is provided by the REE migration from roots.
authors.affiliation: Department of Earth and Marine Sciences, University of Palermo, Via Archirafi, 36, 90123 Palermo, Italy. Electronic address: paolo.censi@unipa.it.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Censi
authors.affiliation: IBIM - CNR, Via U. La Malfa, 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cibella
authors.affiliation: Department of Earth and Marine Sciences, University of Palermo, Via Archirafi, 36, 90123 Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: E E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Falcone
authors.affiliation: IBIM - CNR, Via U. La Malfa, 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cuttitta
authors.affiliation: SAF Department, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, ED. 4, 90128 Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Saiano
authors.affiliation: Department of Earth and Marine Sciences, University of Palermo, Via Archirafi, 36, 90123 Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Inguaggiato
authors.affiliation: IBIM - CNR, Via U. La Malfa, 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Latteo
mesh_terms: D001272:Atmosphere / Q000032:analysis*; D004391:Dust / Q000032:analysis*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D008674:Metals, Rare Earth / Q000032:analysis*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry*; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D012802:Sicily; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D004391:Dust; D008674:Metals, Rare Earth; D012987:Soil; D014131:Trace Elements
keywords: Anthropogenic signature; La anomaly; Leaves; REE; Trace elements