1. Disentangling sources of trace element air pollution in complex urban areas by lichen biomonitoring. A case study in Milan (Italy).
- Author
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Contardo T, Vannini A, Sharma K, Giordani P, and Loppi S
- Subjects
- Air Pollution analysis, Antimony analysis, Cities, Copper analysis, Italy, Railroads, Soil, Air Pollutants analysis, Biological Monitoring methods, Environmental Monitoring methods, Lichens metabolism, Trace Elements analysis
- Abstract
In this study we investigated the bioaccumulation of selected trace elements in lichen samples transplanted for three months in Milan, Italy, with the aim of assessing the main environmental contaminants and the overall pollution load, and of disentangling the main air pollution sources as well as of estimating fluxes of element deposition. The results highlighted Cu and Sb as important contaminants and suggested a common origin for these two elements from railways and non-exhaust sources of vehicular traffic such as brake abrasion. High or very high global air pollution emerged for all study sites. Source apportionment outlined three main factors, that found reliable correlation with distance from major roads and railways, an industrial plant, and soil resuspension. Ranges of estimated mean annual element deposition rates in the study area were similar to those reported for other cities., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2020
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