T. G. Verburg

MOSS INTERSPECIES COMPARISONS IN TRACE ELEMENT CONCENTRATIONS

Within the framework of a European-scaled moss survey, various moss species were sampled throughout The Netherlands [NL], Germany [D], and Switserland [CH], and used in moss interspecies comparisons of elemental concentrations. Moss species considered were Pleurozium schreberi [NL,D,CH], Brachythecium rutabulum [NL], Hypnum cupressiforme [D,CH], Hylocomium splendens [D,CH], and Scleropodium purum [D]. Element analysis was carried out directly (The Netherlands, Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis: As, Br, Ce, Cr, Cs, Fe, La, Mn, Na, Rb, Sc, Se, Sm, Th, Ti, V and Zn), or after sample digestion (The Netherlands, ICP-MS: Pb, Germany, AAS/ICP-AES: Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, Ti, V, and Zn; Switzerland, ICP-AES/ICP-MS: Co, V, and Zn).Local variations (=within sampling sites) in element concentrations were estimated, based upon in-site multiple sampling and analysis of Pleurozium schreberi species in The Netherlands. Element concentrations in moss species were compared in linear correlations, both in unweighted and weighted fits, with weighing factors based on the local variation data. Weighted fits were shown to generally improve the calibration characteristics, as tracked by X2 calculations.The calibration data suggest the presence of previously unnoticed outliers in element concentrations. The absence of further information, however, may prescribe the use of all data in comparison procedures. These results indicate that interlaboratory analysis of replicate samples and the use of dedicated certified reference materials may help solving problems in the analysis of the sample series.For several of the considered interspecies comparisons, weighted calibrations could be based on significant correlations (P=0.05). Actual use, however, will remain arbitrarily decided upon, and may be based on decisions as to what to accept with respect to the levels of uncertainty in the calibration parameters. Furthermore, the use of calibrations in extrapolation modes is greatly restricted by the necessary reservations in geographically larger-scaled applications.

Citric acid in tomato plant roots and its effect on cadmium uptake and distribution

Experiments were carried out to investigate the effects of root citric acid on uptake and initial distribution of cadmium (Cd) in tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum, cv. Tiny Tim). Cd was measured by γ-spectrometry, using 115Cd spikes. Citric acid was measured by UV-detection, and, after spiking with 14C-citric acid, by β-spectrometry. Cd was applied for 48 h periods, in control experiments, in the presence of citric acid, and after 24 h plant pre-incubation with citric acid.Pre-incubation resulted in two-fold increases in fast-exchangeable amounts of root citric acid, as measured by the presence of citric acid in xylem exudates of decapitated and pressurized roots.Simultaneous application of Cd and citric acid did not change Cd accumulation in total plants and in the roots, nor did any significant change occur with respect to Cd root-to-shoot transport, and Cd concentrations in shoot tissues and xylem fluid. After citric acid pre-incubation, total plant uptake of Cd increased twofold, without any significant change in Cd accumulation in the roots. Cd root-to-shoot transport was increased 5–6 fold, and Cd concentrations in shoot tissues and xylem fluid were increased 6–8 fold. Speciation calculations indicated that, under the conditions applied, xylem Cd may be, at least partly, complexed in citric acid. A C Borstlap Section editor

Bio-monitoring of trace-element air pollution in Portugal: Qualitative survey

During the months of July and August 1993 a lichen collection campaign was held in Portugal where about 250 samples were collected and analysed by thick target TIPIXE and INAA. Results for 44 different elements were obtained and a data base was built and subjected to Monte Carlo Aided Target Transform Factor Analysis (MCATTFA), a method developed at IRI (Delft). 10×10 km2 coast and 50×50 km2 far from coast sampling grids were used for collection. In this work we will present the results which were obtained based on a reduced data set of 36 elements measured by INAA. The results for 22 elements obtained by TTPIXE were published elsewhere. In this work we will also present the conclusions considering all the 44 elements determined by both techniques.

Main atmospheric heavy metal sources in Portugal by biomonitor analysis

Abstract During the months of July and August of 1993 a lichen collection campaign was held in Portugal where about 250 samples were collected and analysed by thick target PIXE and INAA. Results for 43 different elements were obtained and a data base was built and subjected to Monte Carlo aided target transform factor analysis (MCATTFA), method developed at IRI TU Delft. 10 × 10 km coast and 50 × 50 km far from coast sampling grids were used for collection, concentration data as well as factor patterns were extrapolated to the whole country making use of an extinction rule of 1/r 3 . In this work we present the results that were obtained based on a reduced data set of 22 elements measured by TTPIXE. The results for INAA data subset and the total data set are presented elsewhere.

Effect of particulate matter, atmospheric gases, temperature, and humidity on respiratory and circulatory diseases’ trends in Lisbon, Portugal

This study addresses the significant effects of both well-known contaminants (particles, gases) and less-studied variables (temperature, humidity) on serious, if relatively common, respiratory and circulatory diseases. The area of study is Lisbon, Portugal, and time series of health outcome (daily admissions in 12 hospitals) and environmental data (daily averages of air temperature, relative humidity, PM10, SO2, NO, NO2, CO, and O3) have been gathered for 1999–2004 to ascertain (1) whether concentrations of air pollutants and levels of temperature and humidity do interfere on human health, as gauged by hospital admissions due to respiratory and circulatory ailments; and (2) whether there is an effect of population age in such admissions. In general terms, statistically significant (p < 0.001) correlations were found between hospital admissions and temperature, humidity, PM10, and all gaseous pollutants except CO and NO. Age appears to influence respiratory conditions in association with temperature, whereas, for circulatory conditions, such an influence likely involves temperature as well as the gaseous pollutants NO2 and SO2.

129I and 36Cl concentrations in lichens collected in 1990 from three regions around chernobyl

129I and 36Cl were measured by accelerator mass spectrometry in 11 lichen samples (Parmelia sulcata) collected in 1990 from three regions (Novozybkov, Bragin and Ovruc) near Chernobyl. Previously measured activities of 137Cs were highest in the samples from the Novozybkov region while the measured activities of 36Cl and 129I in this study were highest in the samples from the Bragin region. The regional distribution patterns of the 36Cl and 129I show a positive correlation suggesting that these volatile radionuclides were deposited in the same manner.

Atmospheric metal deposition in a moss data correlation study with mortality and disease in the Netherlands

The present paper addresses the correlations between moss metal concentrations and epidemiological data on health and mortality rates in The Netherlands. Attention was given to both total and fractionated metal concentrations in the moss tissues, the latter by factor-analytical (mathematical) approaches, and to both grouped and specific diseases. Better than 95% probability correlations were found both for total moss elements and mortality due to specific diseases and for fractionated moss elements and mortality rates summed for grouped diseases. Overall, the presented data suggest that correlation studies between biomonitoring data on metal air pollution and (epidemiological) health data may prove valuable in turning attention to specific metal-health issues and in directing further study into possible dose-response mechanisms in air-associated metal epidemiology.

On the use of the lichen Ramalina celastri (Spreng.) Krog. & Swinsc. as an indicator of atmospheric pollution in the province of Córdoba, Argentina, considering both lichen physiological parameters and element concentrations

The lichen Ramalina celastri (Spreng.) Krog. & Swinsc. was used to study trace-element atmospheric pollution in Córdoba (Argentina). 38 samples from a 1999 campaign were analyzed by NAA and a number of physiological parameters was determined. In first-ever comparisons, no correlations were found between altitude, physiological parameters and determined elements, which allowed the full comparison of element data in lichen samples throughout the whole survey area. After the application of Monte Carlo assisted factor analysis to the elemental matrix, five source profiles were found and mapped. The attribution of the sources is discussed.

RELATIONS BETWEEN SULPHATE, AMMONIA, NITRATE, ACIDITY AND TRACE ELEMENT CONCENTRATIONS IN TREE BARK IN THE NETHERLANDS

Bark flakes were sampled in a biomonitoring survey throughout The Netherlands. Tree species used were oak (65 samples) and ‘non-oak’ (58 samples) (poplar, elm, willow). Bark elemental analysis was carried out for As, Br, Ca, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Fe, Hg, K, La, Na, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se, Sm, Th, and Zn. Furthermore, bark acidity, SO4, NH4 and NO3 were determined. Further variables introduced into the data-set were DIST (closest distance to sea water) and the dummy variably OAK (tree species).Straightforward multivariate correlation analysis was performed to check the effects on bark metal retention of the non-metal pollutants SO4, NH4 and NO3, and of bark acidity. The OAK variable served to identify species-specific metal and non-metal pollutant behaviour. The DIST variable was used to visualize geography(source)-related variations in bark metal and non-metal pollutant concentrations, and to account for the non-random distribution of OAK and non-OAK tree species.The results indicate that the non-oak and oak bark samples may be combined to form 123 samples containing data-set for As, Br, Cd, Ce, Co, Fe, La, Na, Sc, Sm, Th, Zn, NH4, NO4, SO4 and acidity, but not for Rb, Cs, Se, K, Ni, Pb and Sb (species-specific) and for Ca and Hg (H+-dependent). In the presented data-set, bark sulphate, ammonia and nitrate could not be shown to significantly affect bark metal retention.

Geographic classification of heavy metal concentrations in mosses and stream sediments in the Federal Republic of Germany

The results of the first German moss monitoring programme to estimate heavy metal pollution in the Federal Republic of Germany were combined with other large-scale investigations carried out in Germany and then classified geographically in a new form. Using Monte Carlo assisted factor analysis, six factors indicating sources of pollution were identified from the sets of element data from the moss monitoring project (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, Ti, V, Zn) and the data sets for SO2 and particulate. The geographic distribution patterns of the factor values showed the regions in which the various sources are to be found. By combining the data the primarily anthropogenic chromium concentrations of the mosses were compared with the mainly geogenic chromium concentrations of the stream sediments in the form of examples. After normalization, the transformed chromium concentrations were transferred to a map of the entire area using inverse distance weighting. Anthropogenic and geogenic influences are being discussed on the basis of the results.