Dynamics of heavy metal accumulation in thalli of the epiphytic lichen Hypogymnia physodes

A sequential extraction procedure was used to study localization of heavy metals in thalli of the lichen Hypogymnia physodes (L.) Nyl. growing under conditions of chronic aerotechnogenic pollution in the Middle Urals. Trends in the seasonal dynamics of metal contents in the thalli were revealed. The dynamics of metal accumulation was also studied in the thalli brought to the polluted zone from the background environment. After one year, the extra-and intercellular contents of most metals in these transplants approached those in the aboriginal thalli and in some cases (intracellular content of cadmium) exceeded them.     

Density of Scots pine undergrowth after ground fires in a zone of industrial air pollution

The effects of two exogenous factors, ground fires and industrial air pollution, on natural regeneration of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) cenopopulations have been studied in the Transural region. It has been found that an increased level of air pollution leads to a decrease in the abundance and occurrence frequency of pine undergrowth; as the intensity of ground fire increases, these parameters of the postfire generation of undergrowth increase as well, especially in background areas. As shown by two-way ANOVA, either of these factors and their interaction have a significant effect on the density of pine undergrowth, with this effect being stronger in the case of ground fires.     

Monitoring environmental pollution in Erzurum by chemical analysis of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) needles

Pollution distribution maps of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and lead (Pb) for Erzurum province were developed on the basis of chemical analysis of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) needles collected from randomly selected sampling points during 2 years. The maps show deposition zones for the studied elements and could help in identification of sources and directions of air pollution dispersion. This study indicated that vegetation in Erzurum was greatly endangered by sulphur dioxide (SO(2)), whereas Zn does not pose an immediate threat to vegetation in most of the country's territory. However, in the city center, main and secondary road agglomeration, very high pollution with Pb and Cu could limit growth. Higher levels of SO(2) measured in some areas of Erzurum might be harmful for human and animal health. Results of this study indicated that Scots pine needles were not contaminated by Zn.     

Industrial pollution reduces the effect of trees on forming the patterns of heavy metal concentration fields in forest litter

An analysis is made of the effect of large spruce and birch trees on the spatial pattern of the fields of heavy metal concentrations (Cu, Pb, Cd, Zn) and pH in the forest litter formed in tree stands exposed to long-term pollution with emissions from the copper smelter in Revda, Sverdlovsk oblast. The fields formed by trees growing in the background area have a regular spatial structure: the concentrations of elements decrease with increase in the distance from the tree trunk to the edge of canopy gap, with the position of sampling point relative to the trunk accounting for more than half of total variance. In polluted areas, the regular component of the field structure is very weakly expressed, and the main role is played by higher-order heterogeneity related to the mosaic pollution pattern on the scale of tens to hundreds of meters.     

Technogenic stress and its effect on deciduous trees (an example from parks in Yaroslavl)

A comparative analysis of several morphological, physiological, and biochemical characteristics of leaves has been performed in birch (Betula pendula Roth), linden (Tilia cordata Mill.), and poplar (Populus nigra L.) trees growing in industrial areas of Yaroslavl with different levels of anthropogenic pollution. The results show that high concentrations of pollutants in the atmosphere suppress the growth of leaves, and the number and severity of necrotic lesions in them increase. Water content in leaves becomes lower, whereas ash content increases. The contents of photosynthetic pigments change as well: the leaves contain smaller amounts of chlorophylls a and b, whereas the accumulation of carotenoids increases. Judging from changes in the test parameters, P. nigra is more resistant to pollution than B. pendula and T. nordata.     

Expansion of invasive alien plant species in the republic of Bashkortostan, the Southern Urals: Analysis of causes and ecological consequences

The causes and ecological consequences of alien plant species invasions in the Southern Urals are analyzed. Aggressive invasive species of North American origin??Ambrosia trifida L., A. psylostachya DC., Cyclachaena xanthiifolia (Nutt.) Fresen., Hordeum jubatum L., Oenothera biennis L., Bidens frondosa L., etc.??have invaded synanthropic and natural plant communities and became dominant, with their proportion varying from 10 to 99%. The biomass of these plants may reach 6 kg/m²; density, more than 1000 shoots per square meter; and seed production, up to 30000 seeds per plant, which explains their dominance in communities. The ecological hazard they pose lies in the displacement of native species, overgrowing of disturbed land areas, and allergenicity of their pollen.     

Industrial pollution does not cause an increased incidence of nephropathies in the bank vole

Studies in the vicinities of copper smelters and in undisturbed areas of the Middle Urals have been performed to evaluate the effect of industrial pollution with heavy metals on macro- and micromorphological parameters of kidneys (weight, weight index, the spectrum and frequency of histopathologies) in the bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus Schreber, 1780) and on the accumulation of Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb in this organ. It has been found that the kidneys of voles from polluted areas accumulate considerable amounts of heavy metals, with their concentrations increasing with age and/or sexual maturation. The kidney weight, index, and the frequency and severity of the majority of observed nephropathies also increase upon change in the reproductive-age status of animals. These parameters show no dependence on the degree of industrial pollution: at individual level, none of the heavy metals accumulated in the kidneys has produced any effect on the frequency and severity of nephropathies. These results contradict the prevailing opinion that toxicants play the determinant role in the development of nephropathies in small mammals inhabiting polluted areas. Therefore, the causes of nephropathies should be sought among other factors, not related to pollution.     

Mortality of the scleractinian coral <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cladocora caespitosa</Emphasis> during a warming event in the Levantine Sea (Cyprus)

A mortality event of Cladocora caespitosa corals and the extent of bleaching, necrosis and pigmented areas in the colonies were studied at the southeastern coast of Cyprus during a prolonged period of higher than average sea temperature anomalies (summer/autumn 2012). With the use of scuba diving and image analysis software, we monitored the extent of mortality of 29 colonies of C. caespitosa by measuring and comparing the area percentage of healthy tissue, affected tissue (bleached, necrotic) and older mortality events (encrusted skeleton). In September 2012, on average, 24 % of the colonies surface area was affected (bleaching and/or necrosis). In October 2012, C. caespitosa showed on average 26.3 % of the colony surface area affected, evidence of continuing deterioration. At the same time, 10 % (3 of 29) of the colonies showed an increase in the pigmentation of previously bleached polyps in small and marginal areas (6–8 %). Irrespective of the amount, the regaining of pigments recorded is considered an important find. Corals and marine organisms in general in the Levantine Sea are affected greatly by warming events, to the extent where a very small percentage of polyps/colonies show resilience under thermal stress. Natural bleaching of C. caespitosa, even though limited to a few colonies and very small portions of tissue/polyps, was documented for the first time in the Levantine Sea. We conclude that temperature anomalies are associated with the mortality event. Whether prolonged higher temperature is the direct cause, or whether it acts synergistically with other factors should be the subject of further investigations.     

Copper uptake by four Elsholtzia ecotypes supplied with varying levels of copper in solution culture

The effects of copper (Cu) on the yield and Cu uptake of three ecotypes of Elsholtzia splendens and one of Elsholtzia argyi were studied using solution culture. Three Cu concentrations were compared: 0.31 (control), 50 and 100 micromol L(-1). Although E. argyi took up more Cu in the aboveground parts, typical visual symptoms of Cu toxicity appeared when the plants grew in 50 and 100 micromol Cu L(-1). In contrast, plants from all three populations of E. splendens showed high Cu tolerance and substantial shoot Cu accumulation of 58-144 mg kg(-1). Shoot Cu concentrations were about 16-27 times higher than root Cu concentrations. Root-to-shoot ratio of the E. argyi ecotype was halved when Cu was supplied at a level of 100 mg L(-1) compared to the control (0.31 mg L(-1)) but the ratio increased by 6-47% in the three E. splendens ecotypes. The increase in root-to-shoot ratio in E. splendens may be a mechanism by which the plants can tolerate high Cu concentrations. There were few differences in morphology among the three E. splendens ecotypes in response to added Cu. The results are discussed in relation to the possible use of E. splendens as a pioneer species in the phytostabilization of Cu-contaminated soils.     

Impacts of sewage irrigation on heavy metal distribution and contamination in Beijing, China

A potential hazard to Beijing was revealed due to the accumulation trend of heavy metals in agricultural soils with sewage irrigation, which results in metal contamination and human exposure risk. Samples including soils and plants were collected to assess the impacts of sewage irrigation on the irrigated farming area of Beijing. Concentrations of the five elements Cd, Cr, Cu, Zn, and Pb were determined in samples to calculate the accumulation factor and to establish a basis for environmental protection and the suitability of sewage irrigation for particular land use in the urban-rural interaction area of Beijing. Using reference values provided by the Beijing Background Research Cooperative Group in the 1970s, the pollution load index (PLI), enrichment factor (EF), and contamination factor (CF) of these metals were calculated. The pollution load indices (sewage irrigation land 3.49) of soils indicated that metal contamination occurred in these sites. The metal enrichment (EF of Cd 1.8, Cr 1.7, Cu 2.3, Zn 2.0, Pb 1.9) and the metal contamination (CF of Cd 2.6, Cr 1.5, Cu 2.0, Zn 1.7, Pb 1.6) showed that the accumulation trend of the five toxic metals increased during the sewage irrigation as compared with the lower reference values than other region in China and world average, and that pollution with Cd, Cu, Zn, and Pb was exacerbated in soils. The distributions of these metals were homogeneous in the irrigation area, but small-scale heterogeneous spatial distribution was observed. Irrigation sources were found to affect heavy metal distributions in soils. It was suggested that heavy metal transfer from soils to plants was a key pathway to human health exposure to metal contamination. However, with the expansion of urban areas in Beijing, soil inhalation and ingestion may become important pathways of human exposure to metal contamination.     

Competition factors of edificator tree stand: Quantitative analysis and synthesis

To analyze and quantitatively estimate the contribution of different factors of competition from the edificator tree stand to its effect on plants comprising the lower forest vegetation layer, a set of ecophysiologically based indices of root, light, and integrated competition has been proposed and tested. The results obtained in pine and spruce forests forests of Western Siberia and the Urals show that the growth of the conifer undergrowth is more closely correlated with the index of root competition, and that of heather (Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull.), with the index of light competition from the edificator tree stand. Moreover, the correlation of their growth with the integrated competition index is 15?C25% stronger than the correlation with the indices of root and light competition, irrespective of forest type.     

The survival strategy of Crepis tectorum L. under conditions of chronic atmospheric pollution

The results of demographic studies on Crepis tectorum L. populations from polluted and clean habitats are presented. They show that these populations significantly differ from each other in a number of parameters, including the seasonal dynamics of seed germination, the number of generations, the time of plant transition to reproduction, and the rate of generation succession in general. These data provide evidence that populations of annual or biennial plants can employ different survival strategies when growing under conditions of pollution or its absence.     

Plant Adaptation to Oil Stress

Changes in the contents of anthocyanins, ascorbic acid, and riboflavin were studied in plants growing under pollution with petroleum products along railroad tracks (Geum urbanum L., Anthriscus sylvestris L., Glecoma hederata L., Taraxacum officinalisL., Dactylis glomerata L., and Achillea millefolium L.) and in seedlings grown in soil containing 5–10% crude oil (Hordeum vulgare L., D. glomerata, Vicia sativa L., Panicum miliaceum L., and Zea mays L.). In the former case, the plants accumulated ascorbic acid and anthocyanins (on average, 2 and 5.2 times those in the norm, respectively), and riboflavin (in both reduced and oxidized forms). In the latter case oil-induced stress also proved to stimulate the accumulation of all test substances in the seedlings. The content of anthocyanins is proposed as a test parameter reflecting the degree of environmental pollution, which may be useful for prompt bioindication of pollutants in the ecological monitoring of plant communities.     

Morphophysiological responses of Pinus sylvestris L. and Picea obovata Ledeb. to industrial pollution under conditions of Northwestern Russia

Morphophysiological parameters of needles have been studied in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and Siberian spruce (Picea obovata Ledeb.) trees of different life states growing under conditions of industrial air pollution with sulfur and heavy metals. Three functional clusters (tentatively named the initial, transitional, and disastrous clusters), each characterized by a certain metabolic status, have been revealed, and their quantitative and qualitative structure has been evaluated. The morphophysiological responses of pine and spruce are shown to be qualitatively different, depending on differentiation of trees with respect to vitality under conditions of industrial pollution. Probable factors accounting for these differences are discussed.     

Determining the heavy metal pollution in Denizli (Turkey) by using Robinio pseudo-acacia L

The leaves of Robinia pseudo-acacia L. (Fabaceae) were evaluated as a biomonitors of heavy metal contamination in Denizli city, Turkey. Concentrations of Fe, Zn, Pb, Cu, Mn and Cd were determined in washed and unwashed leaves and soils collected from a wide range of sites with different degrees of metal pollution (industry, urban roadside, suburban) and from a rural (control) site by atomic absorption spectrometry. All the elements that measured were found to be at high levels in samples collected at industrial sites, except for lead and copper which were found at high levels in samples collected from urban roadsides that associated with the road traffic. The strong correlation between the degree of contamination and concentrations in all plant leaves assessed display that the leaves of R. pseudo-acacia reflect the environmental changes accurately, and that they seem as an effective biomonitor of environmental quality in areas subjected to industrial and traffic pollutions.     

Common buzzards (Buteo buteo) bio-indicators of heavy metals pollution in Sicily (Italy)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the accumulation of toxic (As, Cd and Pb) and essential (Cu, Mn and Zn) metals in samples (feathers, liver, kidney, lung, intestine and muscle) of common buzzards (Buteo buteo) from Sicily, used as bio-indicators for monitoring environmental metals pollution. All samples of buzzards were collected at the “Recovery Center of Wild Fauna” of Palermo, through the Zooprophilactic Institute. The quantitative determinations of metals were carried out using an atomic absorbtion spectrophotometer (AAS). The results obtained showed the presence of metals in all samples analyzed. For toxic metals the highest levels of Pb and As were found in liver and those of Cd in kidney; for essential metals Zn levels were higher than Cu and Mn in all tissues analyzed. Significant differences are observed in metal levels between female and male and juvenile and adult bird samples.Highest metal levels found in liver, kidney and muscle can be considered indicative of chronic exposure to metals while the presence of metals in feathers can be consequential to storing and elimination processes. The results obtained suggest that common buzzards (Buteo buteo) may be very useful as bio-indicators for monitoring environmental pollution.     

Impact of large industrial emission sources on mortality and morbidity in Chile: A small-areas study

Chile suffers significant pollution from large industrial emitters associated with the mining, metal processing, paper production, and energy industries. The aim of this research was to determine whether the presence of large industrial facilities (i.e. coal- and oil-fired power plants, pulp and paper mills, mining facilities, and smelters) affects mortality and morbidity rates in Chile. For this, we conducted an ecological study that used Chilean communes as small-area observation units to assess mortality and morbidity. Public databases provided information on large pollution sources relevant to Chile. The large sources studied were oil- and coal-fired power plants, copper smelters, pulp and paper mills, and large mining facilities. Large sources were filtered by first year of production, type of process, and size. Mortality and morbidity data were acquired from public national databases, with morbidity being estimated from hospitalization records. Cause-specific rates were calculated for the main outcomes: cardiovascular, respiratory, cancer; and other more specific health outcomes. The impact of the large pollution sources was estimated using Bayesian models that included spatial correlation, overdispersion, and other covariates. Large and significant increases in health risks (around 20%–100%) were found for communes with power plants and smelters for total, cardiovascular, respiratory, all-cancer, and lung cancer mortality. Higher hospitalization rates for cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, cancer, and pneumonia (20–100%) were also found for communes with power plants and smelters. The impacts were larger for men than women in terms of both mortality and hospitalizations. The impacts were also larger when the sources were analyzed as continuous (production volume) rather than dichotomous (presence/absence) variables. In conclusion, significantly higher rates of total cardiovascular, respiratory, all-cancer and lung cancer mortality and cardiovascular, respiratory, cancer and pneumonia hospitalizations were observed in communes with power plants and smelters.     

Cypress tree (Cupressus semervirens L.) bark as an indicator for heavy metal pollution in the atmosphere of Amman City,Jordan

Bio-monitoring of air quality in Amman City was investigated by analyzing 36 cypress tree (Cupressus semervirens L.) bark samples from three sites of different anthropogenic activities at the end of summer season 2001. Cypress barks were found to be a good bio-indicator for air pollution in arid regions. Variation in Pb, Zn, Mn, Cr, Ni, Cd, and Cu contents between sites was observed due to different types of activities. Traffic emissions were found to be the main source of heavy metal pollution in the atmosphere of Amman. Lead content was found to be the highest in highly traffic density areas. The industrial part of the city was characterized by high Zn, Mn, Cr, Ni, and Co contents. No significance variations were found in pH values of the bark between the sites. This was attributed to buffering effect of carbonate in the atmosphere originated from soil of the area.     

Lipid peroxidation rates in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Taraxacum officinale</Emphasis> Wigg. and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vicia cracca</Emphasis> L. from biotopes with different levels of soil pollution with heavy metals

The rates of lipid peroxidation (LPO) have been studied in Taraxacum officinale Wigg. (Asteraceae) and Vicia cracca L. (Fabaceae) from urban ecosystems with different levels of soil pollution with heavy metals (HMs), including Pb, Zn, Cu, and Cr. The former species responds to the increased HM contents by intensification of LPO processes, with their parameters correlating with the concentrations of Pb, Zn, and Cu in the soil. In the latter species from the same biotopes, conversely, LPO homeostasis remains actually undisturbed.     

Metal levels in sugar cane (Saccharum spp.) samples from an area under the influence of a municipal landfill and a medical waste treatment system in Brazil

In July 2003, duplicated samples of roots, stems and leaves of sugar cane (Saccharum spp.) were collected in 25 points of an area under direct influence of the municipal landfill site (MLS) and medical waste treatment system (MWTS) of Ribeirao Preto, S?o Paulo, Brazil. Cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The following concentrations (mg/kg) were found in roots: Cd, 0.22+/-0.12; Cr, 64.3+/-48.7; Cu, 140.6+/-27.7; Hg, 0.04+/-0.02; Mn, 561.6+/-283.3; Pb, 7.9+/-2.1 and Zn, 177.4+/-64.9. For some metals, these levels are higher than the concentrations previously reported for different plants, reaching, in some cases, values that might be considered toxic for vegetables. Metal levels in stems were 80-90% of those found in roots, while the concentrations detected in leaves were significantly lower than those in roots. The present results suggest that MLS and MWTS activities might have been increasing metal concentrations in edible tissues of sugar cane grown in the area under their influence. Moreover, the traditional agricultural practices in the production of sugar cane could be also another determinant factor to reach the current metal levels. The results of this study indicate that sugar cane is a crop that is able to grow in areas where metals in soils are accumulated.