Concentrations of Pb, Zn, and Cu in Taraxacum spp. in relation to urban pollution
- Univ. of Thessaloniki (Greece)
The combustion of petroleum fuel and exhaust emissions are major sources of atmospheric pollution in cities which result in the deposition of toxic substances, particularly heavy metals, in the surface layers of soils. Lead in particular enters the environment from the use of tetraethyl lead as an antiknock agent for petrol engines constituting 21% of fine particles emitted from cars burning leaded petrol. Antiwear protectants incorporated in lubricants often contain Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and/or Zn which are also released into the environment by inefficient engines and irresponsible dumping of engine oils. Zn from tyre wear and Cu from diesel engines also add considerably to the environmental metal burden. Lowering of the permitted lead content of petrol and the growing use of unleaded fuel are expected to lead to reductions in the environmental lead burden, however, until unleaded fuel becomes universally accepted lead contamination, particularly of roadside soils and vegetation is a major cause for concern. A direct relationship between car exhaust, the Pb content of needles of Abies alba and reduced growth has been observed and can extend hundreds of metres from major highways. Lead tolerance has been observed in higher plants growing mine waste soils and to a lesser extent on lead-contaminated roadside soils. Automobiles which are responsible for line sources of pollution emissions in rural and suburban areas have a more far-reaching impact on roadside vegetation, already under considerable stress, in urban areas. Information on heavy metal effects on vegetation in urban environments however, are scarce. Modeling and multivariate analysis of a few of the factors involved have provided only limited data related to plant performance in these complex environments. Therefore in this study, the extent of heavy metal pollution by Pb, Zn, Cu and Cd in soils and in dandelion plants in the city of Thessaloniki has been examined. 20 refs., 2 figs., 3 tabs.
- OSTI ID:
- 6875825
- Journal Information:
- Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology; (United States), Vol. 53:2; ISSN 0007-4861
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AIR POLLUTION
BIOLOGICAL INDICATORS
COPPER
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
LEAD
PLANTS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
URBAN AREAS
ZINC
ELEMENTS
METALS
POLLUTION
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
540120* - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)
560300 - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology