Trace element concentrations in soils along urbanization gradients in the city of Wien, Austria

Urban soil is an important component of urban ecosystems. This study focuses on heavy metal contamination in soils of Wien (Austria) and results are compared to those for a few large European cities. We analysed the elemental contents of 96 samples of topsoil from urban, suburban and rural areas in Wien along a dynamic (floodplain forest) and a stable (oak–hornbeam forest) urbanization gradient. The following elements were quantified using ICP-OES technique: Al, As, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Pb, P, S and Zn. For heavy metals PI (pollution index) values were used to assess the level of pollution. The PI values indicated high level of pollution by Pb in the suburban and rural area of stable gradient and in the urban area of dynamic gradient; moderate level of pollution was indicated for Cd in the urban area of stable gradient. The level of pollution was moderate for Co in the suburban and rural area of the stable gradient, and for Cu in suburban area of stable gradient, and urban area of dynamic gradient. The pollution level of Zn was moderate in all areas. Urban soils, especially in urban parks and green areas may have a direct influence on human health. Thus, the elemental analysis of soil samples is one of the best ways to study the effects of urbanization. Our results indicated that the heavy metal contamination was higher in Wien than in a few large European cities.     

Assessment of the effects of urbanization on trace elements of toe bones

Amphibians, particularly frogs and toads, are increasingly used as bioindicators of contaminant accumulation in pollution studies. We developed an analytical technique to analyse their elemental contents based on a small amount of toe bone samples. This method is environment-friendly as, unlike traditional methods, it is not necessary to kill animals during sampling. Using this technique, we explored the effects of urbanization on the elemental contents of toe bones. Bufo bufo specimens were collected from an urban and two rural ponds. The ratios of Ca and P at the ponds were: 20.5% Ca and 14.6% P at the urban pond and 30.4% and 29.6% Ca, 22.4% and 21.7% P at the rural ponds, respectively. For the other elements, the following percentage ratios were found: 0.7% B, 0.3% Mg and 0.06% Zn at the urban pond and 1.1% and 0.4% B, 0.4% Mg and 0.05% Zn at the rural ponds, respectively. Canonical discriminant analysis indicated the separation of the urban and the rural ponds based on the elemental concentrations of toe bones. Significant differences were found between the concentrations of Ca, P, Mg, B and Zn at the urban and the rural ponds (p?相似文献   

Air pollution assessment based on elemental concentration of leaves tissue and foliage dust along an urbanization gradient in Vienna

Foliage dust contains heavy metal that may have harmful effects on human health. The elemental contents of tree leaves and foliage dust are especially useful to assess air environmental pollution. We studied the elemental concentrations in foliage dust and leaves of Acer pseudoplatanus along an urbanization gradient in Vienna, Austria. Samples were collected from urban, suburban and rural areas. We analysed 19 elements in both kind of samples: aluminium, barium, calcium, copper, iron, potassium, magnesium, sodium, phosphor, sulphur, strontium and zinc. We found that the elemental concentrations of foliage dust were significantly higher in the urban area than in the rural area for aluminium, barium, iron, lead, phosphor and selenium. Elemental concentrations of leaves were significantly higher in urban than in rural area for manganese and strontium. Urbanization changed significantly the elemental concentrations of foliage dust and leaves and the applied method can be useful for monitoring the environmental load.     

Capturing the dynamics of leader–follower interactions: Stalemates and future theoretical progress

Despite being based on the premise of a dynamic interpersonal process, studies on leader–member exchange theory often fail to acknowledge its dyadic and dynamic nature. We discuss how the interpersonal affect dynamics literature—and particularly its focus on the emergence of relationship patterns—may advance research on leader–follower interactions.     

Edible,Antioxiadant Films from Ultrasonically Extracted Plantago psyllium Seed Husk Flour Mucilage

Journal of Polymers and the Environment - In this study ultrasonic assisted extraction was applied to obtain film forming mucilage from Plantago psyllium seed husk flour. The ultrasonically...