OBJECTIVETo determine the metal contents of lichen species from East Black Sea region of Turkey for investigation of trace metal pollution sourced traffic.

METHODSThe levels of copper, cadmium, lead, zinc, manganese, iron, chromium, nickel, cobalt, palladium in lichen samples collected from East Black Sea region of Turkey were determined by flame and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry after microwave digestion method. The accuracy of the method was corrected by standard reference material (NIST SRM IAEA-336 Lichen).

RESULTSThe contents of investigated trace metals in lichen samples were 7.19-22.4 microg/g for copper, 0.10-0.64 microg/g for cadmium, 4.03-44.6 microg/g for lead, 14.5-41.8 microg/g for zinc, 25.8-208 microg/g for manganese, 331-436 microg/g for iron, 1.20-3.01 microg/g for chromium, 1.48-3.90 microg/g for nickel, 0.20-3.55 microg/g for cobalt, 0.11-0.64 microg/g for palladium. The results were compared with the literature values.

CONCLUSIONSome lichen species such as Xanthoparmelia conspersa, Xanthoria calcicola, Peltigera membranacea, and Physcia adscendens are accumulated trace metals at a high ratio.

Environmental Monitoring ; Lichens ; chemistry ; Metals, Heavy ; analysis ; Oceans and Seas ; Transportation ; Turkey

OBJECTIVETo determine the metal contents of date palm (Pheonix dactylifera) samples in dry season from Denizli-Turkey for investigation of heavy metal-polluted traffic.

METHODThe levels of iron, copper, zinc, lead, cadmium, nickel, chromium, and manganese ions in the leaves of thirty five date palm (Pheonix dactylifera) samples collected from various levels of traffic in the streets of Denizli-Turkey were determined by graphite furnace or flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The wet, dry, and microwave digestion procedures for the date palm (Pheonix dactylifera) leaves were compared. The accuracy of the digestion procedures was checked using a standard reference material (IAEA-336 Lichen, SRM).

RESULTSMicrowave digestion procedure for the leaves was preferred because it was more proper with respect to both time and recovery than dry and wet digestion. The levels of the heavy metal ions investigated were the highest on the samples from high traffic level. Also correlations between metal levels and traffic volume for all the metals were investigated.

CONCLUSIONIn the light of our findings, the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) leaves are suitable as a biomonitor for atmospheric heavy metal-polluted traffic. Significant correlations can be obtained between traffic levels and heavy metal concentrations.

Air Pollutants ; analysis ; Arecaceae ; chemistry ; Environmental Monitoring ; methods ; Metals, Heavy ; analysis ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Seasons ; Spectrum Analysis ; Turkey ; Vehicle Emissions ; analysis