Trace Metal Concentrations in Pine Needles at Varying Elevation in Proximity to Roadways in an Urban Environment
Open Access
- 1 January 2017
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Scientific Research Publishing, Inc. in Journal of Environmental Protection
- Vol. 08 (06), 733-743
- https://doi.org/10.4236/jep.2017.86047
Abstract
Conifer needles bioaccumulate atmospheric pollutants, including trace metals, and may be used to monitor variations in atmospheric concentration. Needles were analyzed to determine whether a correlation exists between elevations and trace metal concentrations in proximity to roadways and other non-point sources. Composite samples of white spruce (Picea glauca) and balsam fir (Abies balsamea) needles were collected along hillsides in eastern and western Calgary, respectively. A combined total of 11 sites was sampled along two transects of increasing elevation. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of trace metal concentrations was completed using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and synthesized using regression analysis. The concentrations of cobalt, nickel, and calcium in the samples were found to exhibit a significant (P < 0.05) relationship with respect to elevation and proximity to roadways.Keywords
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