Vol. 8, No 1, 2010 pp. 1 - 13
DOI 10.2298/FUPCT1001001T
UDC 621.385.833 + 77.026.34 : 546.30 + 581.45 621.385.833 + 77.026.34 : 546.19 + 581.45

TRACE ELEMENT CONTENT IN URBAN TREE LEAVES AND SEM-EDAX CHARACTERISATION OF DEPOSITED PARTICLES
Milica Tomašević, Mira Aničić
Institute of Physics, University of Belgrade, Pregrevića 118, Belgrade, Serbia

Abstract. Leaves of common deciduous trees: Aesculus hippocastanum and Tilia spp. from three parks within the urban area of Belgrade (Serbia) were studied as biomonitors of trace elements (V, Cr, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb) air pollution. Using a scanning SEM-EDAX, the size, size distribution, morphology and chemical composition of individual particles were examined on adaxial and abaxial surfaces of the leaves. Morphological and chemical composition indicated that the most abundant particles were soot and dust with minor constituents such as Pb, Zn, Ni, V, Cd, Ti, As, and Cu. Total element concentrations in the leaves were determined by ICP-OES and ICP-MS. This investigation included spatial, seasonal, and temporal variations in leaves of the selected species. The leaves of A. hippocastanum showed a significantly higher elements concentration and more consistency in trend of element accumulation during the vegetation season in the period 2002-2006 than Tilia spp., so it may be considered as a more suitable species for the assessment of trace element atmospheric pollution, especially Pb and Cu which correlated with the bulk deposition data.
Key words: deciduous tree leaves, particles deposition, SEM-EDAX, trace element, ICP-OES, ICP-MS
SADRŽAJ ELEMENATA U TRAGOVIMA U LISTOVIMA DRVEĆA I SEM-EDAX ANALIZA FIZIČKO-HEMIJSKIH KARAKTERISTIKA DEPONOVANIH ČESTICA
U ovom radu je ispitivana mogućnost primene listova listopadnog drveća divljeg kestena (Aesculus hippocastanum) i lipe (Tilia spp.), često zastupljenih u parkovima Beograda, u biomonitoringu zagađenosti vazduha elementima u tragovima (V, Cr, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd i Pb). Ispitivanja oblika, veličine, kao i raspodele po veličinama čestica deponovanih na površinama listova rađena su korišćenjem metoda SEM-EDAX. Morfološka analiza, kao i analiza hemijskog sastava čestica, na licu i naličju listova, ukazala je na većinsko prisustvo čađi i prašine sa manjim doprinosom elemenata kao što su Pb, Zn, Ni, V, Cd, Ti, As i Cu. Ukupan sadržaj elemenata u listovima određivan je metodama ICP-OES i ICP-MS. Ovo istraživanje je obuhvatilo analizu sezonske, prostorne i vremenske promene sadržaja elemenata u listovima ispitivanih vrsta. Listovi A. hippocastanum su više akumulirali određivane elemente i pokazali veću pravilnost u akumulaciji tokom vegetacione sezone u višegodišnjem periodu (2002-2006) u odnosu na Tilia spp. Stoga se A. hippocastanum može smatrati pogodnijim biomonitorom za procenu zagađenosti vazduha elementima u tragovima, naročito sa Pb i Cu, što je u saglasnosti sa rezultatima merenja ukupne atmosferske depozicije.
Ključne reči: listovi listopadnog drveća, atmosferska depozicija čestica, SEM-EDAX, elementi u tragovima, ICP-OES, ICP-MS