A study of air pollution with heavy metals in Thessaloniki city (Greece) using trees as biological indicators

Abstract

The air pollution of the city of Thessaloniki was studied, using park trees as biomonitors. The species analyzed were Ligustrum japonicum, Nerium oleander, Olea europea, Pinus brutia, Platanus orientalis, Populus alba, Populus nigra, and Robinia pseudoacacia. Acid digestion of leaf tissues and subsequent use of atomic absorption spectrometry was the analytical methodology used for the determination of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, and Pb). The concentration of heavy metals in the tree leaves depended on the metal species as well as on the position of the tree in the city. The mean concentrations of Cu ranged between 5 and 10 mg kg−1 dry weight, of Zn between 19 and 85 mg kg−1 DW and of Pb between <1.5 and 4.5 mg kg−1 DW. In some cases, the effect of road junctions proved more significant than the traffic load for the contamination of leaves. Some differentiation was also observed between tree species. Old leaves collected during the fall were more contaminated than young leaves collected during the spring. The roughness of the outer surface leaves contributed to the trapping and retention of air particles. The results were compared with corresponding results from lichens and mosses which were also collected for a similar study.