Oak leaves as accumulators of airborne elements in an area with geochemical and geothermal anomalies

Abstract

The Colline Metallifere (Tuscany) was a major Italian mining district (FeS 2, Ag, Cu, Pb, Zn) for centuries, and in the last fifty years it has become the most important area for the exploitation of geothermal resources. Leaves of the widespread oak Quercus pubescens and surface soils were collected from 90 sampling sites in the area and their elemental composition was compared. The results showed that the composition of oak leaves was not significantly affected by the presence of mineral deposits (metal sulphide ores) or soils with high concentrations of Cr, Mg, and Ni (ultramafic). Arsenic was the only element showing higher concentrations in leaves from sites with deposits of metal sulphide ores or As-polluted soils around abandoned smelting plants. Compared to the composition of epiphytic lichens and epigeic mosses from the same sites in the Colline Metallifere, the elemental composition of Q. pubescens leaves was less affected by element contributions from adsorbed soil particles. It was thus easier to evaluate atmospheric inputs of elements in oak leaves than in cryptogams.