Tree Bark Samples Research Articles

Azo dyes decolourisation by ABTS-oxidases (Laccases) from a fungus from tropical tree

Lignin is an important constitute of the wood and thus the organism like fungi and insects growing on wood produce some extracellular lignolytic enzymes. In fungi these enzymes include different oxidases and peroxidases. Lignin peroxidases, manganese peroxidases, versatile peroxidases and laccases have been characterised from fungi and their roles in wood decay has been established. Here we report ABTS-oxidases from an unidentified fungus isolated from tree bark sample from Kuantan, Malaysia. After the liquid media cultivation, the crude extracellular protein content was extracted and analysed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. SDS-PAGE, native PAGE and zymography were carried out. Azo dyes, brilliant green, trypan blue, direct red 80 and eriochrome black T were used for decolourisation activity of the isolated fungus on solid medium. The results suggest that the extracellular proteins contain laccase enzyme activity. Out of the four azo dyes that were used for dye decolourisation assay, at least three were decolourised to different extents by the fungus.

Brominated and Chlorinated Flame Retardants in Tree Bark from Around the Globe

Brominated and chlorinated flame retardants were measured in about 40 samples of tree bark from 12 locations around the globe. The analytes were polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE), Dechlorane Plus (DP), decabromodiphenylethane (DBDPE), hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), hexabromobenzene (HBB), pentabromoethylbenzene (PBEB), pentabromobenzene (PBBz), and tetrabromo-p-xylene (pTBX). The highest concentrations of these compounds were detected at an urban site in Downsview, Ontario, Canada. Total PBDE and DP concentrations ranged from 2.1 to 190 ng/g lipid weight and from 0.89 to 48 ng/g lipid weight, respectively. Relatively high levels of DP (46 ± 4 ng/g lipid weight) were found at a remote site at Bukit Kototabang in Indonesia. The concentrations of total PBDE, DP, PBEB, and HBCD in the tree bark samples were significantly associated with human population in the nearby areas (r(2) = 0.21-0.56; P < 0.05). In addition, the concentrations of total PBDE and DP were significantly associated (r(2) = 0.40-0.64; P < 0.05). with the corresponding atmospheric concentrations of these compounds over a concentration range of 2-3 orders of magnitude.

Determination Of The Mercury Content Of Lichens and Comparison To Atmospheric Mercury Levels In The South African Highveld Region

The concentration of mercury vapour in ambient air is routinely determined using specialised instruments.As an economical alternative, actively pumped Hopcalite sorbent tubes can be used to trap atmosphericmercury, which is subsequently analysed by cold vapour atomic absorption spectroscopy. Plant materialsare also readily available in most regions and can be analysed to obtain information on time averagedatmospheric mercury levels.Lichen and tree bark samples were collected in the cities of Pretoria and Witbank, dried and acid digestedwith subsequent cold vapour atomic absorption spectroscopy. Average mercury concentrations rangingfrom 74 to 193 μg.kg-1 were found in lichens from three Pretoria suburbs, whilst average Hg levels of 228μg.kg-1 were determined in lichens collected in Witbank. The average mercury concentration in tree barkwas consistently lower than in lichens, with concentrations between 28 and 72 μg.kg-1 determined insamples from three Pretoria suburbs and 75 μg.kg-1 determined in samples taken in Witbank. This study isthe first in South Africa to determine mercury levels in lichens and tree bark.Average total gaseous mercury concentrations in ambient air at the three Pretoria suburban sites, asdetermined by a semi-continuous spectroscopic method using Hopcalite sampling, ranged between 1.6and 2.5 ng.m-3, while an average of 1.7 ng.m-3 was measured in Witbank over the sampling interval.

Genetic Diversity of Brenneria Nigrifluens Strains in North of Iran (Margin of Caspian Sea)

Genetic Diversity ofBrenneria NigrifluensStrains in North of Iran (Margin of Caspian Sea)Brenneria nigrifluens, the cause of shallow bark canker of Persian walnut trees (Juglans regiaL.), has become fairly widespread in Iran in recent years. It is regarded as a great threat to walnut production. To determine the diversity ofB. nigrifluensstrains, sixty strains of the causal bacterium were isolated from bark samples of infected walnut trees collected from Mazandaran, Guilan and Golestan provinces and were studied. The physiological and biochemical characteristics, electrophoretic patterns of total cell proteins and rep-PCR generated DNA fingerprints ofB. nigrifluensstrains were compared. Strains appeared to be more or less similar in phenotypic characteristics. Less than 15% of the strains differed in a few phenotypic features such as the ability in production of H2S from peptone, hydrolysis of esculin, levan production, arginine dehydrolase, nitrate reduction, indol production and methyl red reaction. These differences did not show any special distribution and therefore was not suitable for classifying the strains into distinct groups. The electrophoretic patterns of cell proteins of the strains were different from each other and were only useful for preliminary grouping of the isolates. The groups of strains were differentiated by their rep-PCR fingerprints and on which basis they were placed in six groups in similarity level 95%. Cluster analysis was performed using NTSYSpd software. The results of these studies demonstrated that the populations ofB. nigrifluensin North of Iran are genetically heterogeneous. The results can be used in selection of disease management strategies.

Use of passive biomonitoring to evaluate the environmental impact of emissions from cement industries in Sergipe State, northeast Brazil

Measurements of trace elements in tree bark were used to investigate pollution caused by emissions from two cement production plants in the vicinity of the cities of Laranjeiras and Nossa Senhora do Socorro (Sergipe State, northeast Brazil). Samples of tree bark were collected across a wide area within the municipalities of Machado, Estivas, and Estivas II, as well as close to the two cement plants. Analyses were carried out by EDXRF to determine the concentrations of Al, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, S, Sr, and Zn in the tree barks. The resulting data were used to generate distribution maps of element concentrations, which enabled identification of pollution hotspots. The results indicated that emissions from the cement industry affect the region as a whole, as demonstrated by accumulation of trace elements in the tree barks.

Platinum pollution in road dusts, roadside soils, and tree barks in Seoul, Korea

This study presents the level of platinum in urban environment in and around Seoul, the capital city of Korea. Road dust, roadside soil, and tree bark samples were collected from the sites of various traffic volumes and from control sites in the suburbs. The above samples were analyzed for Pt by ICP-MS and other heavy metals by ICP-OES. Platinum levels in road dusts and roadside soils from Seoul were in the range of 3.8-444 ng/g (av. 115.0 ng/g) and 0.7-221 ng/g (av. 49.7 ng/g), respectively, whereas those in the suburbs were in the range of 2.3-5.2 ng/g (av. 3.9 ng/g) in road dusts and 0.4-5.1 ng/g (av. 2.4 ng/g) in roadside soils. The highest Pt levels in road dusts were found from major roads with high traffic volume. The remarkable difference in average Pt level between heavy traffic roads (av. 132.2 ng/g) and light traffic roads (av. 22.8 ng/g) reflects that an important source of Pt in roadside environment is automobile catalytic converter. High Pt level in road dust was found from the site of erratic stop-start driving condition, for example, 178 ng/g Pt in road dust around a vehicle crossing gate. Platinum level in tree barks ranged from 0.9 to 4.5 ng/g, which indicates the existence of Pt-containing particulate matter in the atmosphere. Road dusts with high Pt level were enriched in traffic-related heavy metals.

Trace element distribution and 235U/ 238U ratios in Euphrates waters and in soils and tree barks of Dhi Qar province (southern Iraq)

To assess the quality of the environment in southern Iraq after the Gulf War II, a geochemical survey was carried out. The survey provided data on the chemistry of Euphrates waters, as well as the trace element contents, U and Pb isotopic composition, and PAH levels in soil and tree bark samples. The trace element concentrations and the 235U/ 238U ratio values in the Euphrates waters were within the usual natural range, except for the high contents of Sr due to a widespread presence of gypsum in soils of this area. The trace element contents in soils agreed with the common geochemistry of soils from floodplain sediments. Some exceptions were the high contents of Co, Cr and Ni, which had a natural origin related to ophiolitic outcrops in the upper sector of the Euphrates basin. The high concentrations of S and Sr were linked to the abundance of gypsum in soils. A marked geochemical homogeneity of soil samples was suggested by the similar distribution pattern of rare earth elements, while the 235U/ 238U ratio was also fairly homogeneous and within the natural range. The chemistry of the tree bark samples closely reflected that of the soils, with some notable exceptions. Unlike the soils, some tree bark samples had anomalous values of the 235U/ 238U ratio due to mixing of depleted uranium (DU) with the natural uranium pool. Moreover, the distribution of some trace elements (such as REEs, Th and Zr) and the isotopic composition of Pb in barks clearly differed from those of the nearby soils. The overall results suggested that significant external inputs occurred implying that once formed the DU-enriched particles could travel over long distances. The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations in tree bark samples showed that phenanthrene, fluoranthene and pyrene were the most abundant components, indicating an important role of automotive traffic.

Multielement profiles of soil, road dust, tree bark and wood-rotten fungi collected at various distances from high-frequency road in urban area

Multielemental profiles of soil, dust, linden tree bark ( Tilia sp.) and wood-rotting fungi ( Schizophyllum commune) collected in central public park of Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina, at two distances from the nearby high-frequency road, were assessed as potential air pollution indicators. The samples were microwave digested and 10 elements were measured by graphite furnace (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn) and cold vapor (Hg) atomic absorption spectrometry. This is the first report on the heavy element contents in the selected type of samples collected in the Banja Luka City and also in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The obtained results showed significant decrease of element contents, particularly of Pb, Ni, Cu, Cr, Fe, Hg, Zn and Co, in the samples with increasing distance from the road edge. According to the Dutch soil quality standard, the Cd, Co, and Hg concentrations of the examined soils were higher than the target values for unpolluted soil, but they were not above the intervention values for which a serious case of soil contamination exists. Compared to the roadside soil, roadside dust had significantly higher contents of Co, Cr, Cu, Pb, Zn and Hg, but majority of them were in the range of concentrations previously reported in literature. The exceptions were Co and Hg, being up to ∼2 times higher than the maximum of the previously reported levels, which might be considered as peculiarity for the Banja Luka dust samples. Dust significantly contributed to the elemental profile of tree bark. The Hg concentration in the roadside tree bark sample was far above the phytotoxic limit, and the problem of “dying trees” in the Banja Luka park previously related to the presence of white-rot fungi could be attributed to the excessive contents of this biotoxic element. Principal component analysis (PCA) and analysis of enrichment factors (EFs) provided a framework for differentiation of dominant sources of elements in the analyzed samples.

Levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers and hexabromocyclododecane in the atmosphere and tree bark from Beijing, China

Air samples in four seasons at one site and tree bark samples from four districts were determined to investigate seasonal variation and regional distribution of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) in Beijing, China. The total concentrations of PBDEs (∑PBDE) and HBCD (∑HBCD) were in the range of 57–470 and 20–1800 pg m −3 in the atmosphere, respectively. The ∑PBDE and ∑HBCD concentrations were significantly influenced by the total suspended particulate matter in atmosphere. The total concentrations of PBDEs and HBCD in tree bark samples were in the range of 99–3700 and 26–3400 ng g −1 lipid weight. It was found that regional distribution of PBDEs and HBCD was related to the function of each district. In addition, the study found that weeping willow bark was an ideal atmospheric PBDEs and HBCD passive sampler. Finally, atmospheric levels of BDE-209 and HBCD at tree bark sampling districts were estimated via applying an established bark/air partitioning model, which had been verified by the measured concentrations in tree bark and atmosphere in Beijing.

Libby Amphibole Contamination in Tree Bark Surrounding Historical Vermiculite Processing Facilities

Over a 70-year period, a mine near Libby, MT supplied nearly 80% of the world’s vermiculite. Raw vermiculite, which was contaminated with naturally occurring amphibole in veins throughout the deposit, was shipped to processing sites throughout the United States for exfoliation. In this pilot study, tree bark samples were collected near processing facilities in Spokane, WA, Santa Ana, CA, Newark, CA, and Phoenix, AZ in an effort to determine if areas surrounding these facilities are today contaminated with Libby amphibole asbestos (AA). From areas surrounding each of the four historical processing sites, Libby AA was detected in a subset of the bark samples. At the Santa Ana, Newark and Phoenix facilities, actinolite-tremolite and other high Fe Ca-bearing amphibole were also measured from the bark samples. In addition, chrysotile was frequently measured in samples collected from each of the sites. From the results of this pilot study, it is evident that tree bark can serve as reservoirs of asbestos, and indicators of past and current contamination. These data also suggest that areas outside of these historical processing facilities may today have some level of existing contamination resulting from the operation of these facilities.

The influence of chloride deicers on mineral nutrition and the health status of roadside trees in the city of Kielce, Poland

Application of chemical road deicers has a negative impact on roadside vegetation. Every year, the trees in cities suffer from direct and indirect effects of salt application for winter road maintenance. To elucidate this problem in the city of Kielce, the chemistry of snow, soil, tree bark, and leaf samples has been investigated together with an assessment of the health status of the trees. Twelve investigation sites were selected along the roads with different traffic intensity. Snow samples were collected twice during the winter and analyzed for pH, EC, Na(+), Ca(2+), Mg(2+), and Cl(-). In soil (collected from two depth intervals), tree bark, and leaf samples, the concentrations of B, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, N, Na, P, S, and Zn were determined. The contents of total organic carbon (TOC) in soils, as well as the pH of soil and tree bark samples were also measured. Negative symptoms revealed by roadside trees included the loss of assimilative apparatus and decreased vitality. The results of chemical analyses indicated that the snowmelt might be a substantial source of chloride ions and alkalizing substances that influenced higher pH of soils. The soil samples displayed elevated concentrations of S and Zn and lower than typical for soil contents of B, Mg, and TOC. The pH of alkaline soils favored greater bioavailability of B and reduced bioavailability of Na and Zn by the trees examined.

Speciation of Cr(VI) in environmental samples in the vicinity of the ferrochrome smelter

The impact of ferrochrome smelter on the contamination of its environment with toxic hexavalent chromium, Cr(VI), was assessed by analyzing smelter dusts, soil, grass and tree barks. For the separation of Cr(VI) from Cr(III), solid samples were treated with 0.1 M Na 2CO 3 and filtered through hydrophilic PDVF 0.45 μm filter prior to the determination of Cr(VI) by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ET–AAS). Ferrochrome smelter dust was found to contain significant levels of Cr(VI), viz. 43.5 μg g −1 (cyclone dust), 2710 μg g −1 (fine dust), and 7800 μg g −1 (slimes dust) which exceeded the maximum acceptable risk concentration (20 μg g −1). The concentration of Cr(VI) in environmental samples of grass (3.4 ± 0.2), soil (7.7 ± 0.2), and tree bark (11.8 ± 1.2) collected in the vicinity of the chrome smelter were higher as compared with the same kind of samples collected from uncontaminated area. The results of the investigation show that ferrochrome smelter is a source of environmental pollution with contamination factors of Cr(VI) ranging between 10 and 50.

An efficient protocol for tissue sampling and DNA isolation from the stem bark of Leguminosae trees

Traditionally, molecular studies of plant species have used leaves as the source of DNA. However, sampling leaves from tall tree species can be quite difficult and expensive. We developed a sequence of procedures for using stem bark as a source of DNA from Leguminosae trees of the Atlantic Forest and the Cerrado. Leguminosae is an important species-rich family in these two highly diverse and endangered biomes. A modified CTAB protocol for DNA isolation is described, and details of the procedures for sampling and storage of the bark are given. The procedures were initially developed for three species, and then their applicability for 15 other species was evaluated. DNA of satisfactory quality was obtained from the bark of all species. The amounts of DNA obtained from leaves were slightly higher than from bark samples, while its purity was the same. Storing the bark frozen or by drying in silica gel yielded similar results. Polymerase chain reaction amplification worked for both plastid and nuclear genomes. This alternative for isolating DNA from bark samples of trees facilitates field work with these tree species.

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) monitored by tree bark in an E-waste recycling area

To investigate the environmental levels and profiles of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), tree bark samples ( n = 22) were collected from Luqiao, an E-waste recycling area, in east China in July 11–13, 2006. The average concentrations of PCDD/Fs, PBDEs, and PCBs determined by isotope dilution-high resolution gas chromatography (HRGC) coupled with high resolution mass spectrometer (HRMS) were 0.1 ± 0.0, 1.4 ± 0.2, and 6.5 ± 0.8 μg g −1 lipid weight, respectively. PCDD/F-toxic equivalent (TEQ, WHO-1998), PCB-TEQs, and total dioxin-like TEQs were 1.3 ± 0.1, 0.5 ± 0.0, and 1.8 ± 0.2 ng g −1 lipid weight, respectively. The profiles of these pollutants in the tree bark were also discussed. Tetra-CDFs, deca-BDE and tri-CBs were the main homologues and accounted for 47% of total PCDD/Fs, 79.3% of total PBDEs, and 33.2% of total PCBs, respectively; As for TEQs, 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF and PCB126 were the main contributors and accounted for 36% of the total PCDD/F-TEQs and 81.2% of the total PCB-TEQs, respectively. High accumulation of PCDD/Fs, PBDEs, and PCBs detected in the tree bark indicated heavy contaminations of these pollutants in Luqiao area.

Optical solar energy adaptations and radiative temperature control of green leaves and tree barks

Trees have adapted to keep leaves and barks cool in sunshine and can serve as interesting bionic model systems for radiative cooling. Silicon solar cells, on the other hand, loose up to one third of their energy efficiency due to heating in intensive sunshine. It is shown that green leaves minimize absorption of useful radiation and allow efficient infrared thermal emission. Since elevated temperatures are detrimental for tensile water flow in the Xylem tissue below barks, the optical properties of barks should also have evolved so as to avoid excessive heating. This was tested by performing optical studies with tree bark samples from representative trees. It was found that tree barks have optimized their reflection of incoming sunlight between 0.7 and 2 μm. This is approximately the optical window in which solar light is transmitted and reflected by green vegetation. Simultaneously, the tree bark is highly absorbing and thus radiation emitting between 6 and 10 μm. These two properties, mainly provided by tannins, create optimal conditions for radiative temperature control. In addition, tannins seem to have adopted a function as mediators for excitation energy towards photo-antioxidative activity for control of radiation damage. The results obtained are used to discuss challenges for future solar cell optimization.

Yeasts and Yeast-Like Fungi Associated with Tree Bark: Diversity and Identification of Yeasts Producing Extracellular Endoxylanases

A total of 239 yeast strains was isolated from 52 tree bark samples of the Medaram and Srisailam forest areas of Andhra Pradesh, India. Based on analysis of D1/D2 domain sequence of 26S rRNA gene, 114 strains were identified as ascomycetous; 107 strains were identified as basidiomycetous yeasts; and 18 strains were identified as yeast-like fungi. Among the ascomycetous yeasts, 51% were identified as members of the genus Pichia, and the remaining 49% included species belonging to the genera Clavispora, Debaryomyces, Kluyveromyces, Hanseniaspora, Issatchenkia, Lodderomyces, Kodamaea, Metschnikowia, and Torulaspora. The predominant genera in the basidiomycetous yeasts were Cryptococcus (48.6%), Rhodotorula (29%), and Rhodosporidium (12.1%). The yeast-like fungi were represented by Aureobasidium pullulans (6.7%) and Lecythophora hoffmanii (0.8%). Of the 239 yeast strains tested for Xylanase, only five strains of Aureobasidium sp. produced xylanase on xylan-agar medium. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight analysis and N-terminal amino-acid sequence of the xylanase of isolate YS67 showed high similarity with endo-1-4-beta-xylanase (EC 3.2.1.8) of Aureobasidium pullulans var. melanigenum.

The use of cypress tree bark as an environmental indicator of heavy metals deposition in Fuheis City, Jordan

The present study focused on the use of cypress tree bark as an environmental indicator of heavy metal deposition in Fuheis City, Jordan, and the evaluation of the impact of emissions from the cement industry in the adjacent environment. Tree bark samples were collected from four directions (north, south, east and west) in the vicinity of the cement factory. The samples were analysed for heavy metal content: Mn, Cu, Ni, Co, Pb, Cd, Zn, Cr, and Fe. The results showed variations in heavy metal concentrations between sites. The levels of heavy metal were divided into three groups: mean concentrations of Co and Cd ranged from 1 to 4 mg/kg; Mn, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn and Cr ranged from 9 to 109 mg/kg; and finally, Fe ranged from 2238 to 3393 mg/kg.

Dechlorane Plus and Other Flame Retardants in Tree Bark from the Northeastern United States

Previous work has shown that certain parts of the Great Lakes region are polluted with Dechlorane Plus (DP), a highly chlorinated flame retardant that was used as a replacement for Dechlorane/Mirex. It was suspected that a source of DP to the environment might be its manufacturing facility located in the city of Niagara Falls, New York. To confirm this source location and to determine DP's spatial distribution, 26 tree bark samples were collected in triplicate from the northeastern United States, and the concentrations of DP and several brominated flame retardants (BFRs) were measured. Most concentrations of DP in tree bark were found to be much higher than those of the BFRs. The highest DP concentrations were >100 ng g(-1) bark in the city of Niagara Falls, dropping rapidly with distance from the potential source. A simple one-dimensional, Gaussian diffusion model was used to explain the spatial distribution of DP and to locate the source. The calculated source location was <7 km away from the DP manufacturing plant in Niagara Falls, New York.

Aleppo Pine Bark as a Biomonitor of Atmospheric Pollution in the Arid Environment of Jordan

AbstractMonitoring of atmospheric pollution using Aleppo bark as a bioindicator was carried out in the industrial area surrounding the Al‐Hussein thermal power station and the oil refinery at Al‐Hashimyeh town, Jordan. The concentrations of heavy metals (copper, lead, cadmium, manganese, cobalt, nickel, zinc, iron, and chromium) were analyzed in bark samples collected from the study area during July 2004. The results showed that high levels of heavy metals were found in tree bark samples retrieved from all studied sites compared with the remote reference site. This is, essentially, due to the fact that the oil refinery and the thermal power plant still use low‐quality fuel oil from the by‐products of oil refining. Automobile emissions are another source of pollution since the study area is located along a major heavy‐traffic highway. It was found that the area around the study sites (Al‐Hashimyeh town, Zarqa) is polluted with high levels of heavy metals. Pine bark was found to be a suitable bioindicator of aerial fallout of heavy metals in arid regions.

Polychlorinated biphenyls in tree bark near a former manufacturing plant in Anniston, Alabama

Tree bark samples were collected to identify the relative amounts and congener profiles of atmospheric polychlorinated biphenyls dissolved into bark lipids from the gas phase in Anniston, Alabama, USA, where PCBs were manufactured from the 1920s until 1971. The area is heavily contaminated with PCBs: At least 4550 metric tons (mt) of PCB and 14000 mt of PCB distillation residue, known as Montar, remain buried in two landfills near the plant site. A minimum of 20.5 mt of PCBs were emitted to the atmosphere by the plant between 1953 and 1971 based on emissions figures for 1970. Bark results show that total PCB concentrations range over more than three orders of magnitude from 171927 ng/g lipid near the plant/landfill area, dropping exponentially to 35 ng/g lipid at a distance of about 7 km. The exponential trend is highly correlated (r=-0.77) and significant (p<0.05). The most concentrated tree started growing after 1971 showing that atmospheric PCB concentrations remained high after PCB production ended. All PCB congener profiles show persistent congeners 31+28, 52, 66, 153, 138, and 180. Congener profiles from trees growing near the plant/landfill all have somewhat similar profiles but those growing during PCB production show high molecular mass compounds not usually found in the atmosphere and not found in younger trees, even in the most concentrated sample. We believe that high-temperature Montar disposal released high molecular mass PCBs into the gas phase which were dissolved into older tree bark lipids.