Heavy metal concentrations in timberline trees of eastern Tibetan Plateau.

Ecotoxicology

Key Laboratory of Mountain Surface Processes and Ecological Regulation, Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences & Ministry of Water Conservancy, #9, Block 4, Renminnan Road, Chengdu, 610041, China.

Published: August 2014

AI Article Synopsis

  • The study reports the concentrations of 14 heavy metals in the needles, twigs, bark, and xylem of spruce and fir trees at timberline locations in the Hengduan Mountains.
  • Twigs generally contained the highest metal concentrations, while xylem had the lowest; pollution from anthropogenic sources significantly affected metal accumulation.
  • Needles and twigs serve as effective biomonitors for ecosystem health, with twigs being particularly sensitive to heavy metal inputs.

Article Abstract

Concentrations of 14 heavy metals (Ag, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Tl, V, and Zn) in needles, twigs, bark and xylem of spruce and fir collected at the timberline of eight sites along the Hengduan Mountains, eastern Tibetan Plateau, are reported. Twigs had the highest concentration for most of elements, while xylem had the lowest concentration. The connections between elements in twigs were much richer than other organ/tissues. Pb, Ni, As, Sb, Co, Cd, Hg, Cr and Tl which are partly through anthropogenic sources and brought in by monsoon, have been accumulated in twigs and needles by wet or dry deposition in south and east sites where are within or near pollutant sources. Under moderate pollution situation, vegetation are able to adjust the nutrient element (Cu and Zn) cycle rate, thus maintain a stable concentration level. Seldom V, Ag, and Mo are from external anthropogenic sources. Needles and twigs can be used as biomonitors for ecosystem environment when needles can simply distinguish the origin of elements and twigs are more sensitive to extra heavy metal input.

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Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10646-014-1251-5DOI Listing

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