The date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) as a biomonitor of lead and other elements in arid environments

doi:10.1016/0048-9697(95)04556-G

Science of The Total Environment

Volume 168, Issue 1, 19 May 1995, Pages 1-10

https://doi.org/10.1016/0048-9697(95)04556-G Get rights and content

Abstract

The date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) has been tested as a possible biomonitor of metal pollution in Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia. The metal content (Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni, Cr and Li) was determined for washed and unwashed leaflets collected from a wide range of sites with different degrees of metal pollution (urban, suburban, highway and industrial areas) and from a rural (control) site. Differences between washed and unwashed samples revealed that metal pollutants exist as superficial contaminants, especially levels of Pb and Zn, which varied according to the metal source. However, P. dactylifera leaflets were found to be suitable biomonitors for metal pollution in Riyadh and similar arid and semi-arid environments.

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Foliage of urban vegetation can be used as a bioindicator of air pollution, including heavy metals. We measured surface and intracellular concentration of copper, zinc, lead, nickel, chromium, cobalt and cadmium in Fraxinus uhdei leaves from three urban forests of the Metropolitan Area of the Valley of Mexico (ZMVM) during the four seasons of the year and assessed its correlation with distance to nearest roads; we also compared obtained concentrations with the local atmospheric monitoring network. We performed a two-factor experimental design: factor forest with three levels (Naucalli Park, Forests and Tlalpan) and factor season with four levels, to analyze spatio-temporal differences in heavy metal concentration. Fifteen Fraxinus uhdei trees were selected per site and a foliage sample was taken. A t-test was applied for comparisons between deposits, while an analysis of variance and Tukey's test was used to compare between seasons and forest. Relationship between surface concentrations and distance to the streets surrounding the forests was obtained using the Stepwise method. The obtained results indicate that there are higher concentrations superficially than intracellular in all metals analyzed, except for nickel. Copper was highest in Parque Naucalli, lead, nickel, chromium and cadmium in Bosques Chapultepec and zinc in Bosques Tlalpan. Highest concentrations occurred in summer for copper, zinc, nickel and chromium and in winter for lead and cadmium. We found that the surface concentration of copper, zinc, lead and cadmium in the foliage is higher when trees are closer to avenues. Our research indicates that trees can be valuable bioindicators for air pollution, as they not only mirror the diverse pollution sources but also provide insights into pollutant exposure based on proximity to those sources.
Using date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) as bio-monitors of environmental quality for exposure assessment and pollution source tracking
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The entry of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) into the environment has been raised as a problem for various countries. So, this study aimed to investigate the PTEs concentration in the environment. In this cross-sectional study, Ahvaz city, the capital city of Khuzestan province, was divided into 5 areas. At each site, three-date palms were selected. Leaves and mesh fibers samples were collected from the young palm (3 years) with a maximum trunk height of 3–4 m. Plant leaves samples were separated from the middle section of the main leaves area of the plant and mesh fibers were selected from the different parts of the palm data trunk (top, middle, and bottom of the palm data trunk on all four sides of the palm). Then, data palm samples were divided into two groups of washed/unwashed. Soil samples were collected from the closest point to the palms date at a depth of 0–50 cm including at two depths (0–20 cm and 20–40 cm), and then combined to make a composite soil sample. After the preparation of samples, PTEs were measured by ICP-OES. The highest PTEs concentrations were found in industrial and high-traffic sites and the lowest was obtained at the control site. The largest bioconcentration factor (BCF) was related to copper (2.34–7.49) in mesh fibers samples and in the leaves (1.65) in the control area. Principal component analysis (PCA) results showed metal(loid)s (copper, nickel, zinc, lead, iron, arsenic, and cobalt) are mostly related to brake wear and tire of vehicles and asphalt and road dust, while the metals (Manganese, chromium, and cadmium) mostly originate from industrial sources. Palm leaves, mesh fibers, and soil can be used as a cheap biomonitoring factor for PTEs analysis, especially in industrial and high-traffic regions.
Pine needles as urban atmospheric pollution indicators: Heavy metal concentrations and Pb isotopic source identification
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Pine needles are reliable passive bio-samplers that can be used to monitor atmospheric pollution levels. This study applied Pb isotope and multivariate statistical analyses to pine needles to examine the characteristics, sources, and ecological risks of atmospheric heavy metal pollution in the cities of the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, China. The heavy metal concentrations were higher than those measured in pine needles elsewhere in the world. They were higher in the metropolitan city (Wuhan) than in the medium-sized city (Yichang) and lowest in the natural setting (Shennongjia Forestry District), which is consistent with trends in urbanization and industrialization. Principal component analysis grouped the metals into three main sets associated with industrial activities and traffic sources. The Pb composition determined the main anthropogenic Pb sources were vehicle exhaust and industrial activities related to the lead-zinc ore, only a few of which were coal combustion. Three risk assessment indexes (pollution load index, ecological risk index, and bioconcentration factor) suggest that atmospheric heavy metals in the study area pose moderate environmental and health risks.
Speciation, source identification, and risk assessments of potentially toxic metals in oil-impacted soils around petroleum products retailing stations
2022, Petroleum Research
Citation Excerpt :
Blank samples for soil were prepared. The solution was taken for heavy metals analysis using Atomic absorption spectrophotometer, Model Alpha Star 4 (ChemTech Analytical) at the Centre for Energy Research and Development, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria (Al-Shayeb et al., 1995). As, Cd, Fe, Cr, Cu, Mn, Pb, Ni, and Zn were extracted and partitioned into water-soluble, exchangeable, carbonate bound, Fe - Mn oxides bound, organic bound, and residual fractions using the technique.
The present study was carried out to investigate the speciation, source identification, and risk assessment of potentially toxic elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in soils around petroleum product retailing stations in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. The results of the study indicated that Cr had the highest mean concentration (36.9 ± 0.8 μg/g) while As (15.2 ± 0.3 μg/g) had the lowest. The contamination factor and geo-accumulation index suggested that the soils were contaminated with all the studied metals except for Cd. The concentrations of all elements, except Cd, were higher in oil-impacted soils than in control soils. Speciation showed that the elements had relatively high bioavailability and mobility potential. Source identification using hierarchical cluster analysis and principal component analysis showed that atmospheric deposition, weathering of parent materials, and anthropogenic influences of vehicular emissions were the possible sources of the metals in the oil-impacted soils. Ecological risk assessment indicated that the soil posed a low ecological risk. Health risk assessment showed the non-existence of associated non-carcinogenic health risks except for HI > 1 values of As, Cd, and Cr (in children) while it indicated the risk of carcinogens due to CR > 10⁻⁴ values of As, Cd, Cr, and Ni.
Using expansive grasses for monitoring heavy metal pollution in the vicinity of roads
2017, Environmental Pollution
We propose a method for monitoring heavy metal deposition in the vicinity of roads using the leaf surfaces of two expansive grass species which are greatly abundant. A principle of the proposed procedure is to minimize the number of operations in collecting and preparing samples for analysis. The monitored elements are extracted from the leaf surfaces using dilute nitric acid directly in the sample-collection bottle. The ensuing steps, then, are only to filter the extraction solution and the elemental analysis itself. The verification results indicate that the selected grasses Calamagrostis epigejos and Arrhenatherum elatius are well suited to the proposed procedure. Selected heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Pb, Ni, Cr, and Cd) in concentrations appropriate for direct determination using methods of elemental analysis can be extracted from the surface of leaves of these species collected in the vicinity of roads with medium traffic loads. Comparing the two species showed that each had a different relationship between the amounts of deposited heavy metals and distance from the road. This disparity can be explained by specific morphological properties of the two species' leaf surfaces. Due to the abundant occurrence of the two species and the method's general simplicity and ready availability, we regard the proposed approach to constitute a broadly usable and repeatable one for producing reproducible results.
Biomonitoring of atmospheric heavy metals pollution using dust deposited on date palm leaves in southwestern Iran
2016, Atmosfera
Citation Excerpt :
Date palm can survive in a wide range of temperatures (from 7 to 40 °C) and grows in almost any type of soil (Al-Shayeb et al., 1995). Although the date palm tree has been previously used for monitoring heavy metal distributions in many countries (Al-Shayeb et al., 1995; Al-Khlaifata and Al-Khashman, 2007), the dry dust deposited on the surface of its leaves has not been used to estimate air pollution levels and to examine the effects of different factors (e.g., traffic and industry) on the distribution of air-borne heavy metals. The objectives of this study were (1) to investigate the levels of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, Co, Cr, Fe, Ni and Mn) in dry dust deposited on the surface of date palm tree leaves grown in industrial, urban, and non-urban areas in the Bushehr province, (2) to assess contamination levels of heavy metals in dust samples of three areas, and (3) to identify the likely source(s) of heavy metals.
Los metales pesados presentes en el polvo causan problemas de salud en seres humanos y otros organismos. Los principales objetivos de este estudio fueron determinar: 1) las concentraciones y las fuentes de metales pesados (Zn, Cu, Pb, Fe, Ni, Cr, Co y Mn) y 2) los niveles de contaminación de metales en el polvo de Bushehr (zona urbana) y Assaluyeh (zona industrial), ubicados en la provincia de Bushehr al suroeste de Irán. Además, se estudió el transecto entre las dos ciudades como zona rural. Para ello se tomaron 50 muestras de polvo depositado sobre las hojas de palmera datilera así como 50 muestras de suelo superficial. Las concentraciones medias de metales pesados en el polvo fueron más altas que aquellas encontradas en los suelos cercanos, a excepción de Co en Assaluyeh y Pb en Bushehr. Por su parte, las concentraciones de Zn, Cu y Pb en las muestras de polvo de las zonas industrial y urbana fueron más altas que las de muestras tomadas en la zona rural. Además, los resultados indicaron un nivel de contaminación mínimo para Mn, Fe y Cr, de mínimo a moderado para Co, moderado para Ni, de moderado a significativo para Cu, significativo para Zn, y de significativo a muy alto para Pb en el polvo. Las dos principales fuentes de los diferentes metales pesados en el polvo atmosférico depositado en las hojas de palmera datilera se identificaron mediante análisis de componentes principales, análisis de clúster y análisis de correlación. Zn, Cu y Pb parecen provenir de fuentes antrópicas, mientras que las concentraciones de Fe, Ni, Cr, Co y Mn en el polvo atmosférico probablemente proceden de fuentes no antrópicas. En general, la implementación de estándares ambientales y la mejora del sistema de transporte público son acciones necesarias para reducir la emisión de contaminantes peligrosos a la atmósfera.
Heavy metals in dust are causing health problems in humans and other organisms. The main objectives of this study were to determine (1) the concentrations and the sources of heavy metals including Zn, Cu, Pb, Fe, Ni, Cr, Co and Mn, and (2) the contamination levels of metals in the dust of Bushehr (an urban area) and Assaluyeh (an industrial area) located in the province of Bushehr, southwestern Iran. Also, the transect between the two cities was investigated as a non-urban area. Fifty dust samples deposited on date palm leaves and 50 surface soil samples were collected. The mean concentrations of heavy metals in dust from the three areas were found to be higher than those of the nearby soils except for Co in Assaluyeh and Pb in Bushehr. Zn, Cu and Pb concentrations in dust samples from industrial and urban areas were higher than those in samples taken from the non-urban area. The results indicated minimal pollution levels of Mn, Fe and Cr, minimal to moderate levels of Co, moderate levels of Ni, moderate to significant levels of Cu, significant levels of Zn, and significant to very high levels of Pb in dust. The two main sources of different heavy metals in atmospheric dust deposited on date palm leaves were identified based on principal component analysis, cluster analysis and correlation analysis. Zn, Cu, and Pb seem to have anthropogenic sources, whereas Fe, Ni, Cr, Co, and Mn in atmospheric dust presumably derive from non-anthropogenic sources. In general, the implementation of environmental standards and improvement of the public transportation system are required to reduce the hazardous pollutants released into the atmosphere.

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References (33)

Fallout of lead and uptake by crops

Atmos. Environ.

Distance-decline patterns in heavy metal contamination of soils and plants in Birmingham, England

Urban Ecol.

A preliminary analysis of the inhalable particulate lead in the ambient atmosphere of the city of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Atmos. Environ.

Inhalable particulates and meteorological characteristics of the city of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Atmos. Environ.

Effect of automobile lead pollution on Cassia tora L. and Cassia occidentalis L.

Environ. Pollut. Ser. A

A survey of zinc, lead and cadmium in soil and natural vegetation around a smelting complex

Environ. Pollut.

A study of heavy metal contamination of leaf surfaces

Environ. Pollut.

Heavy metals in small mammals in roadside environments: implications for food chains

Sci. Total Environ.

Heavy metal pollution in roadside urban parks and gardens in Hong Kong

Sci. Total Environ.

Leaf mineral composition of date palm cultivars (Phoenix dactylifera L.) in relation to growth stages

The possibility of using date palm leaves in feedstuffs for livestock

Date Palm Products

Applying biological monitors and neutron activation analysis in studies of heavy-metal air pollution

IAEA Bull.

Seasonal variations of foliar metal content in three fruit tree species

Dustfall in the city of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Atmospheric lead pollution in areas of children schools in the city of Riyadh

Cited by (89)

Surface deposits and intracellular concentration of atmospheric particles in foliage of urban forests in the Valley of Mexico

Using date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) as bio-monitors of environmental quality for exposure assessment and pollution source tracking

Pine needles as urban atmospheric pollution indicators: Heavy metal concentrations and Pb isotopic source identification

Speciation, source identification, and risk assessments of potentially toxic metals in oil-impacted soils around petroleum products retailing stations

Using expansive grasses for monitoring heavy metal pollution in the vicinity of roads

Biomonitoring of atmospheric heavy metals pollution using dust deposited on date palm leaves in southwestern Iran