ISHS Acta Horticulturae 457: Symposium on Plant Biotechnology as a tool for the Exploitation of Mountain Lands
BIOMONITORING METHOD FOR MOUNTAIN AREAS, DESIGN ASPECTS AND RESULTS |
| Authors: | G. Badino, A. Sberze, M. Gulmini, G. Ostacoli, V. Zelano, G. Magrì |
| Keywords: | Anthyllis vulneraria, Artemisia absinthium, Chrysanthemum leucanthemum, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Taraxacum officinale, heavy metals |
| Abstract:
In 1994 a pilot area was prepared at Avigliana (Susa Valley, Italy) in order to standardize an active biomonitoring method using local higher plant species as bioindicators of the heavy metal fall-out along the A32 motorway (SITAF spa). In 1995 and 1996 six herbaceous plant species (Anthyllis vulneraria L., Artemisia absinthium L., Chrysanthemum leucanthemum L., Festuca rubra L., Holcus lanatus L., Taraxacum officinale Web.) were exposed to the traffic pollution in plots located at: 7, 25, 44 and 60 m from the motorway border; their metal concentrations were then determined after one, three and five months of exposure. Control levels for the metal concentrations in the considered species were also assessed by analysing the plants before exposure and specimens raised under controlled conditions. Additionally, the metal accumulation capability of selected earthworms was investigated by feeding them on exposed plants coming from the monitoring area. Data obtained show that Pb and Zn present the more consistent and significant trend correlating with a decrease of heavy metal concentration from motorway border plots to those located at 60 m, especially for Taraxacum officinale, Chrysanthemum leucanthemum and Holcus lanatus. A seasonal increase in metal concentrations was significant for all the species and the metals considered and maximum values were found in November. The ecotoxicological tests implemented under lab conditions using earthworms showed a transfer of heavy metals along the food chain during the first 74 days of treatment; between day 74 and 152 the earthworms were able to perform some kind of detoxification process. | |
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