Accumulation of airborne potentially toxic elements in Pinus sylvestris L. bark collected in three Central European medium-sized cities.

This study attempts to identify the influence of various aspects of human activities in three medium-sized Central European cities (Cottbus, Germany; Nitra, Slovakia and Slupsk, Poland) on air contamination. For comparison purposes, bark of Pinus sylvestris L. was collected from polluted and non-polluted urban areas. Nine elements: Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Ni, Cd, Cr, Pb and S were determined using microwave plasma atomic emission spectrometry, flame atomic absorption spectrometry and elementary analyzer. Results of the study showed significant differences between the cities in term of elements content in pine bark. The differences reflected well specific character of the cities and various effects of human activity. Study revealed that elements spatial variability among the cities is driven by the factor loadings character and reflects various emission sources and their impact range.

Evaluation of urban environment pollution based on the accumulation of macro- and trace elements in epiphytic lichens.

Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, zinc, nickel, copper, manganese, iron and lead accumulation properties of three epiphytic lichen species (Hypogymnia physodes (L.) Nyl., Parmelia sulcata Taylor and Xanthoria parietina (L.) Th. Fr.) were compared. An assessment of pollution of the municipal environment in Slupsk (Poland) according to macro- and trace elements was also done. Lichen samples were taken in Autumn 2013 from Betula pendula, Fraxinus excelsior, Acer platanoides, A. pseudoplatanus and Populus sp. trees. Sampling stations comprised of house development areas, green urban parks, vicinity of streets with heavy traffic and industrial enterprises. It was found that lichens represent diverse accumulation properties to pollutants according to the species. X. parietina indicated the highest bioaccumulation in relation to N, K, Mg, Zn and Fe, the thalli of H. physodes accumulated the largest amounts of Ni and Pb, while P. sulcata P and Cu. Manganese was accumulated in similar quantities by all species. Evidences acquired by the use of factor analysis proved that pollution in Slupsk municipal environment is a serious issue with three major sources domination: street dust, marine factor and residual oil combustion. The high-risk areas were detected and visualized using surface maps based on Kriging algorithm. It was seen that the highest pollution occurs in the town centre, while the smallest happened on its outskirts and in urban parks.