Nature-Based Options for Improving Urban Environmental Quality: Using Black Poplar Trees for Monitoring Heavy Metals Pollution in Urbanized Contexts

Gilda Perri, Domenico Gargano (), Luciana Randazzo, Sergio Calabrese, Lorenzo Brusca, Ilaria Fuoco, Carmine Apollaro and Mauro Francesco La Russa
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Gilda Perri: Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, 87030 Rende, Italy
Domenico Gargano: Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, 87030 Rende, Italy
Luciana Randazzo: Department of Earth and Marine Sciences, University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 22, 90123 Palermo, Italy
Sergio Calabrese: Department of Earth and Marine Sciences, University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 22, 90123 Palermo, Italy
Lorenzo Brusca: Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV), Via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy
Ilaria Fuoco: Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, 87030 Rende, Italy
Carmine Apollaro: Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, 87030 Rende, Italy
Mauro Francesco La Russa: Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, 87030 Rende, Italy

Resources, 2024, vol. 13, issue 6, 1-14

Abstract: Several researchers recognize the importance of plants as effective tools for environmental biomonitoring. The black poplar ( Populus nigra L.) often emerges as a useful bioindicator of air quality in urban environments, where this tree species is widely employed for urban areas. Here, we used ICP-MS analysis to assess the presence and concentration of trace elements, with a special focus on heavy metals (HMs), in black poplar leaves and soil samples from three urbanized sites showing varying degrees of environmental quality. Specifically, the foliar concentrations of Zn (173.3 ppm), Cd (0.7 ppm), Co (1.1 ppm) and As (0.2 ppm) exceeded reference values for unpolluted sites, indicating potential environmental hazards. Additionally, we correlated the foliar concentrations of HMs with those quantified in soil and with air quality data provided by the regional air quality-monitoring network. Subsequently, we estimated the values of foliar fluctuating asymmetry, and evaluated their relationships with HM concentrations in both leaves and soil. Our results suggest that element concentrations in black poplar leaves are related to soil contamination and atmospheric quality, and the extent depends on the proximity to relevant pollution sources. Furthermore, the study species showed a pronounced accumulation capacity for some HMs (i.e., Zn, Cd) commonly found in particulate matter. The extent of foliar fluctuating asymmetry is related to atmospheric quality and HM soil concentration, possibly because of the growth anomalies induced by this kind of environmental contamination. Overall, our data indicate the study species can supply an effective biomonitoring service in urbanized contexts, offering valuable insights into the occurrence and biological implications of heavy metal contamination.

Keywords: air quality; biomonitoring; ecosystem services; environmental quality; soil pollution; urban forestry (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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