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Anderson J, Caron F, Beckett P, Spiers G, Lévesque N, Charbonneau G, Halvorson B, Dufour H, Lock A. Distribution of metals and radionuclides in the lichens Cladonia rangiferina and C. mitis from the past uranium mining region of Elliot Lake, Ontario, Canada. Heliyon 2022; 8:e11863. [PMID: 36544830 PMCID: PMC9761608 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e11863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study was performed in the Elliot Lake area (Ontario, Canada), a site of uranium mining and milling for nearly 40 years between 1950's and 1990's. Although mining activities ceased in the mid-1990's, the site hosts several tailings management areas (TMAs) which are under ongoing rehabilitation and monitoring. Several surveys using lichens as a biomonitoring tool were completed in the 1980s and the 1990s to assess the levels of contaminants. The present survey aimed to re-visit the historical surveys, and to determine the current status of environmental recovery of the area. Our survey consisted of sampling two lichen species, Cladonia rangiferina and C. mitis, in an area covering up to 50 km from the former mining operation and the TMAs. The results reported in this work indicated that the levels of metals and radionuclides, diagnostic of mining operations, have decreased over time: particularly, the U, Th and Pb levels in both lichen species dropped by about two orders of magnitude by the 2020's compared to the 1980's. Likewise, the Cs-137 levels in both lichen species reflect present day global background. The study provides a new set of present-day regional baseline elemental concentrations for other metals that are associated with mining (Cd, As, Ti, Cs). Finally, there were weak but statistically significant differences in the levels of some elements (U, Th, Cd) between the two lichens, suggesting these two species might have different capture mechanisms or retention abilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Anderson
- Testmark Laboratories Ltd, 7 Margaret St. Garson, ON P3L 1E1 Canada,Harquail School of Earth Sciences, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Rd., Sudbury, ON, P3E 2C6 Canada
| | - F. Caron
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Royal Military College of Canada, 13 General Crerar Cr Kingston, ON, K7K 7B4 Canada,Corresponding author.
| | - P. Beckett
- Vale Living with Lakes Centre, Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON, P3E 2C6 Canada
| | - G.A. Spiers
- Vale Living with Lakes Centre, Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON, P3E 2C6 Canada
| | - N. Lévesque
- School of Natural Sciences, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Rd. Sudbury, ON, P3E 2C6 Canada
| | - G.M. Charbonneau
- Testmark Laboratories Ltd, 7 Margaret St. Garson, ON P3L 1E1 Canada
| | - B. Halvorson
- Testmark Laboratories Ltd, 7 Margaret St. Garson, ON P3L 1E1 Canada
| | - H. Dufour
- Harquail School of Earth Sciences, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Rd., Sudbury, ON, P3E 2C6 Canada
| | - A. Lock
- School of Natural Sciences, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Rd. Sudbury, ON, P3E 2C6 Canada
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Dragović S. Artificial neural network modeling in environmental radioactivity studies - A review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 847:157526. [PMID: 35872202 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 07/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The development of nuclear technologies has directed environmental radioactivity research toward continuously improving existing and developing new models for different interpolation, optimization, and classification tasks. Due to their adaptability to new data without knowing the actual modeling function, artificial neural networks (ANNs) are extensively used to resolve the tasks for which the application of traditional statistical methods has not provided an adequate response. This study presents an overview of ANN-based modeling in environmental radioactivity studies, including identifying and quantifying radionuclides, predicting their migration in the environment, mapping their distribution, optimizing measurement methodologies, monitoring processes in nuclear plants, and real-time data analysis. Special attention is paid to highlighting the scope of the different case studies and discussing the techniques used in model development over time. The performances of ANNs are evaluated from the perspective of prediction accuracy, emphasizing the advantages and limitations encountered in their use. The most critical elements in model optimization were identified as network structure, selection of input parameters, the properties of input data set, and applied learning algorithm. The analysis of strategies and methods for improving the performance of ANNs has shown that developing integrated and hybrid artificial intelligent tools could provide a new path in environmental radioactivity modeling toward more reliable outcomes and higher accuracy predictions. The review highlights the potential of neural networks and challenges in their application in environmental radioactivity studies and proposes directions for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Snežana Dragović
- "VINČA" Institute of Nuclear Sciences - National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Mike Petrovića Alasa 12-14, 11351 Belgrade, Serbia.
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3
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Gioda A, Beringui K, Justo EPS, Ventura LMB, Massone CG, Costa SSL, Oliveira SS, Araujo RGO, Nascimento NDM, Severino HGS, Duyck CB, de Souza JR, Saint Pierre TD. A Review on Atmospheric Analysis Focusing on Public Health, Environmental Legislation and Chemical Characterization. Crit Rev Anal Chem 2021; 52:1772-1794. [PMID: 34092145 DOI: 10.1080/10408347.2021.1919985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Atmospheric pollution has been considered one of the most important topics in environmental science once it can be related to the incidence of respiratory diseases, climate change, and others. Knowing the composition of this complex and variable mixture of gases and particulate matter is crucial to understand the damages it causes, help establish limit levels, reduce emissions, and mitigate risks. In this work, the current scenario of the legislation and guideline values for indoor and outdoor atmospheric parameters will be reviewed, focusing on the inorganic and organic compositions of particulate matter and on biomonitoring. Considering the concentration level of the contaminants in air and the physical aspects (meteorological conditions) involved in the dispersion of these contaminants, different approaches for air sampling and analysis have been developed in recent years. Finally, this review presents the importance of data analysis, whose main objective is to transform analytical results into reliable information about the significance of anthropic activities in air pollution and its possible sources. This information is a useful tool to help the government implement actions against atmospheric air pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Gioda
- Departamento de Química, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Karmel Beringui
- Departamento de Química, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Elizanne P S Justo
- Departamento de Química, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Luciana M B Ventura
- Departamento de Química, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.,Instituto Estadual do Ambiente (INEA), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Carlos G Massone
- Departamento de Química, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Silvânio Silvério Lopes Costa
- Núcleo de Petróleo e Gás, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, São Cristóvão, SE, Brazil.,Departamento de Química Analítica, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brazil
| | - Sidimar Santos Oliveira
- Departamento de Química Analítica, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brazil
| | - Rennan Geovanny Oliveira Araujo
- Departamento de Química Analítica, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brazil.,Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia do CNPq - INCT de Energia e Ambiente, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brazil
| | - Nivia de M Nascimento
- Departamento de Química, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.,Departamento de Geoquímica e Departamento de Química Analítica, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
| | - Hemmely Guilhermond S Severino
- Departamento de Geoquímica e Departamento de Química Analítica, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
| | - Christiane B Duyck
- Departamento de Geoquímica e Departamento de Química Analítica, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
| | - Jefferson Rodrigues de Souza
- Laboratório de Ciências Químicas, Universidade Estadual Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro (UENF), Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - Tatiana D Saint Pierre
- Departamento de Química, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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Cecconi E, Fortuna L, Peplis M, Tretiach M. Element accumulation performance of living and dead lichens in a large-scale transplant application. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:16214-16226. [PMID: 33274399 PMCID: PMC7969570 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-11797-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
In bioaccumulation studies, sample devitalization through acid washing or oven drying is commonly applied to enhance the element accumulation efficiency of moss sample. Such aspect, however, has never been considered in biomonitoring surveys using lichens. In this study, the trace element accumulation performance of living (L) and dead (D) samples of the lichen Pseudevernia furfuracea was compared by a side-by-side transplanting at 40 sites in a large, mixed land use area of NE Italy for 8 weeks. Devitalization was achieved without any physico-chemical treatments, by storing lichen samples in a dark cool room for 18 months. Health status of lichens was assessed before and after the sample exposure by chlorophyll fluorescence emission. Although elemental analysis of the two exposed sample sets revealed a similar trace element pollution scenario, the content of 13 out of the 24 selected elements was higher in D samples. By expressing results as exposed-to-unexposed (EU) ratio, D samples show a higher bioaccumulation signal in 80% of transplant sites for Al, Ca, Fe, Hg, Pb and Ti. Overall, the health status of lichen samples might lead to interpretational discrepancies when EU ratio is classified according to the recently proposed bioaccumulation scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elva Cecconi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Fortuna
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 1, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Marco Peplis
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Mauro Tretiach
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127, Trieste, Italy.
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Two lichens differing in element concentrations have similar spatial patterns of element concentrations responding to road traffic and soil input. Sci Rep 2020; 10:19001. [PMID: 33149251 PMCID: PMC7642413 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-76099-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Two epiphytic lichens (Xanthoria alfredii, XAa; X. ulophyllodes, XAu) and soil were sampled at three sites with varied distances to a road in a semiarid sandland in Inner Mongolia, China and analyzed for concentrations of 42 elements to assess the contribution of soil input and road traffic to lichen element burdens, and to compare element concentration differences between the two lichens. The study showed that multielement patterns, Fe:Ti and rare earth element ratios were similar between the lichen and soil samples. Enrichment factors (EFs) showed that ten elements (Ca, Cd, Co, Cu, K, P, Pb, S, Sb, and Zn) were enriched in the lichens relative to the local soil. Concentrations of most elements were higher in XAu than in XAa regardless of sites, and increased with proximity to the road regardless of lichen species. These results suggested that lichen element compositions were highly affected by soil input and road traffic. The narrow-lobed sorediate species were more efficient in particulate entrapment than the broad-lobed nonsorediate species. XAa and XAu are good bioaccumulators for road pollution in desert and have similar spatial patterns of element concentrations for most elements as response to road traffic emissions and soil input.
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Demková L, Árvay J, Bobuľská L, Hauptvogl M, Michalko M, Michalková J, Jančo I. Evaluation of Soil and Ambient Air Pollution Around Un-reclaimed Mining Bodies in Nižná Slaná (Slovakia) Post-Mining Area. TOXICS 2020; 8:E96. [PMID: 33137994 PMCID: PMC7712757 DOI: 10.3390/toxics8040096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Revised: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Thirty soil samples were taken, and the same number of moss (Dicranum scoparium) and lichen (Pseudevernia furfuracea) bags were exposed to detect environmental pollution in the former mining area Nižná Slaná. Soil and ambient air are influenced by hazardous substances, which leak from old mining bodies due to insufficient or completely missing reclamation. The total content of the risk elements (As, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Sb, Se, Pb, Zn) was determined in soil, moss, and lichen samples and in the bodies of Leccinum pseudoscabrum. Biological (soil enzymes-urease, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, fluorescein diacetate (FDA), ß-glucosidase) and chemical properties (pH) were determined in soil samples. Contamination factor (Cf), degree of contamination (Cd), pollution load index (PLI), and enrichment factor (EF) were used for soil and relative accumulation factor (RAF) for air quality evaluation. Contamination factor values show serious pollution by Cd, Fe, Hg, and Mn. Pollution load index confirmed extremely high pollution almost at all evaluated areas. Soil enzymes reacted to soil pollution mostly by decreasing their activity. Mosses and lichens show differences in the accumulation abilities of individual elements. Regular consumption of L. pseudoscabrum would provide the dose of Cd and Hg below the limit of provisional weekly intake. Based on the bioaccumulation index (BAF) values, L. pseudoscabrum can be characterized as an Hg accumulator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lenka Demková
- Department of Ecology, Faculty of Humanities and Natural Sciences, University of Prešov, 17. Novembra 1, 08001 Prešov, Slovakia;
| | - Július Árvay
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 94976 Nitra, Slovakia; (J.Á.); (I.J.)
| | - Lenka Bobuľská
- Department of Ecology, Faculty of Humanities and Natural Sciences, University of Prešov, 17. Novembra 1, 08001 Prešov, Slovakia;
| | - Martin Hauptvogl
- Department of Sustainable Development, Faculty of European Studies and Regional Development, Slovak Agricultural University in Nitra, 94976 Nitra, Slovakia;
| | - Miloslav Michalko
- Department of Geography and Applied Geoinformatics, University of Prešov, 17. Novembra 1, 08116 Prešov, Slovakia; (M.M.); (J.M.)
| | - Jana Michalková
- Department of Sustainable Development, Faculty of European Studies and Regional Development, Slovak Agricultural University in Nitra, 94976 Nitra, Slovakia;
| | - Ivona Jančo
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 94976 Nitra, Slovakia; (J.Á.); (I.J.)
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7
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Huang YP, Xiang JT, Wang CH, Ren D, Xu T. Lichen as a Biomonitor for Vehicular Emission of Metals: A Risk Assessment of Lichen Consumption by the Sichuan Snub-Nosed Monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellana). ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2019; 180:679-685. [PMID: 31146154 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2019.05.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2018] [Revised: 05/12/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Two lichen species, Usnea aciculifera and Usnea luridorufa, were used as biomonitors for the deposition of traffic-related metals in China's Shennongjia National Nature Reserve. The suitability of the two lichen species for use as biomonitors was compared. The health threat to the Sichuan snub-nosed (aka golden) monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellana) from consuming lichen with elevated metal concentrations due to vehicular traffic was then assessed. Lichens, with large surface areas and neither roots nor stomata, efficiently absorb both particulate and gaseous air pollutants. The resulting data was used to assess the effect of heavy metal accumulation on the lichens as well as the health risk imposed on the monkeys as lichen is a primary food source. Lichen samples were collected in the core area of the reserve at three locations of varying traffic intensity. A forth site in the reserve, with no proximate traffic, was used as the control. Results show: (1) lichen from high traffic sites has significantly higher concentrations of Fe, Cd, Pb Zn, and Cr than lichen collected from the control site; (2) vehicular traffic is the primary source of metals in lichen; (3) U. luridorufa collected at high traffic sites displayed decreased photosynthetic efficiency, an indication of stress; (4) intake of Cd and Pb from vehicle emissions in the Shennongjia National Nature Reserve could adversely affect snub-nosed monkey health. This research advances the science of biomonitoring, contributes to environmental protection efforts in China's nature reserves and helps improve food safety for Sichuan snub-nosed monkey, a national treasure of China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Ping Huang
- College of Biology & Pharmacy, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443002, China; Innovation Center for Geo-Hazards and Eco-Environment in Three Gorges Area, Hubei Province, Yichang, 443002, China; Engineering Research Center of Hubei Agricaltural Environment Monitoring, Hubei Province, Yichang, 443002, China
| | - Jiang-Tao Xiang
- Innovation Center for Geo-Hazards and Eco-Environment in Three Gorges Area, Hubei Province, Yichang, 443002, China; Engineering Research Center of Hubei Agricaltural Environment Monitoring, Hubei Province, Yichang, 443002, China
| | - Chuan-Hua Wang
- College of Biology & Pharmacy, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443002, China; Innovation Center for Geo-Hazards and Eco-Environment in Three Gorges Area, Hubei Province, Yichang, 443002, China
| | - Dong Ren
- Innovation Center for Geo-Hazards and Eco-Environment in Three Gorges Area, Hubei Province, Yichang, 443002, China; Engineering Research Center of Hubei Agricaltural Environment Monitoring, Hubei Province, Yichang, 443002, China
| | - Tao Xu
- College of Biology & Pharmacy, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443002, China; Innovation Center for Geo-Hazards and Eco-Environment in Three Gorges Area, Hubei Province, Yichang, 443002, China; Engineering Research Center of Hubei Agricaltural Environment Monitoring, Hubei Province, Yichang, 443002, China.
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8
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Congruence Evaluation of Mercury Pollution Patterns Around a Waste Incinerator over a 16-Year-Long Period Using Different Biomonitors. ATMOSPHERE 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/atmos10040183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
To date, there has been an ever-increasing interest in complementary air monitoring techniques, which may fill the deficiencies of air quality networks. The present work reports the results concerning five biomonitoring surveys (BSs) performed in the proximity of a waste incinerator (WI) over a 16-year period. Hg emission related to the WI activity was monitored by means of both active and passive BSs based on three photosynthetically-active biomonitors (i.e., two epiphytic lichens: Pseudevernia furfuracea and Xanthoria parietina; one vascular plant: Robinia pseudoacacia) collected or exposed before and/or after the WI installation, and after a four-month period of inactivity. Hg concentration values observed in biomonitor samples varied according to the implemented species and to the status of WI plant (active vs. inactive). Our data demonstrate that, in the same pollution scenario, P. furfuracea accumulates three times more Hg than both X. parietina and R. pseudoacacia. The results are discussed in the context of the actual European Union directives concerning air pollution monitoring and assessment, revealing that both active and passive BSs are efficient tools to provide a reliable estimation of the spatial changes of Hg concentrations in the environment.
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Cecconi E, Incerti G, Capozzi F, Adamo P, Bargagli R, Benesperi R, Candotto Carniel F, Favero-Longo SE, Giordano S, Puntillo D, Ravera S, Spagnuolo V, Tretiach M. Background element content in the lichen Pseudevernia furfuracea: a comparative analysis of digestion methods. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2019; 191:260. [PMID: 30949767 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-019-7405-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2018] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
In bioaccumulation studies, the interpretation of pollutant contents in the target biomonitor has to be performed by assessing a deviation from an unaltered reference condition. A common strategy consists in the comparison with background element content (BEC) values, often built up by uncritically merging methodologically heterogeneous data. In this respect, the acid digestion of samples was identified as a major step affecting BEC data. Here, the analytical outcomes of two acid mixtures were compared on a set of matched paired samples of the lichen Pseudevernia furfuracea, a widely used biomonitor for which BEC values based on partial digestion were previously provided. The standard reference material BCR 482 (P. furfuracea) was used to validate analytical procedures consisting of either a HF total mineralization or an aqua regia partial one, both associated to ICP-MS multi-element analysis. In particular, the performance of the procedures was evaluated by comparing analytical results of field samples with the accuracy obtained on BCR aliquots (measured-to-expected percentage ratio). The total digestion showed a better performance for Al, As, Ba, Ca, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Se, Sn, and Zn, whereas the opposite was found for Cr, Co, P, and S. Moreover, new BEC values were provided for P. furfuracea using a consolidated statistical approach, after a total sample digestion with hydrofluoric acid. The multivariate investigation of the background variability of 43 elements in 57 remote Italian sites led to the identification of geographically homogeneous areas for which BEC values are provided for use as reference in biomonitoring applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elva Cecconi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Guido Incerti
- Department of Agri-Food, Environmental and Animal Sciences (Di4A), University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Fiore Capozzi
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Paola Adamo
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Roberto Bargagli
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | | | - Fabio Candotto Carniel
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | | | | | - Domenico Puntillo
- Natural History Museum and Botanical Garden, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Sonia Ravera
- Department of Biosciences and Territory (DiBT), University of Molise, Pesche, Isernia, Italy
| | - Valeria Spagnuolo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Mauro Tretiach
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127, Trieste, Italy.
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10
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New Interpretative Scales for Lichen Bioaccumulation Data: The Italian Proposal. ATMOSPHERE 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/atmos10030136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The interpretation of lichen bioaccumulation data is of paramount importance in environmental forensics and decision-making processes. By implementing basic ideas underlying previous interpretative scales, new dimensionless, species-independent “bioaccumulation scales” for native and transplanted lichens are proposed. Methodologically consistent element concentration datasets were populated with data from biomonitoring studies relying on native and transplanted lichens. The scale for native lichens was built up by analyzing the distribution of ratios between element concentration data and species-specific background concentration references (B ratios), herein provided for Flavoparmelia caperata and Xanthoria parietina (foliose lichens). The scale for transplants was built up by analyzing the distribution of ratios between element concentration in exposed and unexposed samples (EU ratio) of Evernia prunastri and Pseudevernia furfuracea (fruticose lichens). Both scales consist of five percentile-based classes; namely, “Absence of”, “Low”, “Moderate”, “High”, and “Severe” bioaccumulation. A comparative analysis of extant interpretative tools showed that previous ones for native lichens suffered from the obsolescence of source data, whereas the previous expert-assessed scale for transplants failed in describing noticeable element concentration variations. The new scales, based on the concept that pollution can be quantified by dimensionless ratios between experimental and benchmark values, overcome most critical points affecting the previous scales.
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