Abstract
The aim of this study was to estimate the total amount of phenolic compounds of olive trees leaves (Olea europaea L.) as a biomarker for the assessment of heavy metals (HMs) air pollution (Pb, Cu and Mn) in Baniyas area. Olive trees were selected as the predominant species in the study area. Samples were collected from 6 locations at different distances from the vicinity of Baniyas refinery (0.1, 0.5, 2, 4, 6, 10) Km. The control was taken from an area about 20 km from the refinery to the north-east (Al-Qardaha rural). The concentration of total phenolic compounds (TPC) during the summer was (45.6 - 70.85) mg GAE/g dw, and during winter (35.6 - 52.9) mg GAE/g dw. The concentrations of the studied HMs (Pb, Cu and Mn) in unwashed leaves during summer were (0.879 - 2.170) ppm, (0.75 - 5.21) ppm and (54.38 - 8.78) ppm respectively, whilst during the winter concentrations were (0.479 - 1.023) ppm, (1.54 - 7.29) ppm and (53.79 - 7.58) ppm respectively. The results showed significant differences in the concentration of total phenolic compounds and HMs (Pb, Cu and Mn) between sites (ANOVA), significant differences in concentrations of both total phenols and HMs (Pb and Cu) between summer and winter at all sites (t-test, p < 0.05). TPC, Pb and Mn were higher in summer in all sites than in winter. Levels of Cu were significantly higher in winter than in summer at all sites (t-test, p < 0.05). The results showed a negative correlation (t-test, p < 0.05) between the concentration of total phenolic compounds and both Pb and Mn with the distance from the refinery of Baniyas. Consequently, the result of this study enhanced the usefulness of using of TPC in olive leaves as biomarker of air pollution.
Highlights
Air pollution considered a worldwide issue due to its high health and environmental risk aspects [1] [2]
Pb is not considered as a necessary metal for plant growth; high levels of Pb were accumulated in tissues of different plants in some industrials or urban areas in comparison to rural clean areas, indicating the rule of anthropogenic activities in Pb air pollution [17] [57]
Accumulation of Pb in plants leaves is mainly attributed to airborne particles (PM) deposition, which originated from the emission of industrials activities (Baniyas refinery and transportation in the cause of the present study) [18] [62] [37]
Summary
Air pollution considered a worldwide issue due to its high health and environmental risk aspects [1] [2]. It is pivotal to assess and monitor the level of air pollutants in urban, rural and industrials areas. Different outdoor air pollutants measurement methods were developed to maintain strict quality control on the emission of industrial and urban activities. Harvested rain water was used to determine trace metals on air particles [6]. This method was accomplished by employing either a filter or inertial separation to measure heavy metals (HMs) concentration on particles matter (PM) [7]. Due to the difficulty in access to previously mentioned points in Syria, it was in a critical importance to use alternative available methods in order to quantify the level of air pollutants and monitor the impact of these pollutants on ecological systems
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