Leaves of Phragmites australis as potential atmospheric biomonitors of Platinum Group Elements.
The increasing emissions of Platinum Group Elements (PGEs), namely Pt, Pd and Rh, may pose a significant risk to ecosystem processes and human health. A periodic assessment of PGEs distribution in the environment is thus of the utmost importance for the implementation of timely measures of mitigation. Although several studies have quantified PGEs in different life forms such as mammals, birds, fish, crustaceans, algae, mosses and even human beings, data about vascular plants need further surveys. This study aimed to test the suitability of the grass Phragmites australis (common reed) as a biomonitor of PGEs atmospheric pollution. The results showed that Pd and Pt concentrations in leaves are significantly higher in urban areas. In particular, Pd showed the highest range of values in line with current studies that consider palladium as the main element of traffic-related pollution. Overall, the leaves of Phragmites australis reflected the different gradient of PGEs emissions, and may thus be considered as potential biomonitors of atmospheric pollution.
['Bonanno|Giuseppe|G|', 'Pavone|Pietro|P|']
D000393:Air Pollutants D000818:Animals D004784:Environmental Monitoring D006801:Humans D010165:Palladium D018515:Plant Leaves D010984:Platinum D006109:Poaceae D012238:Rhodium D012802:Sicily
Phragmites australis Biomonitoring Platinum Group Elements Atmospheric pollution Urban areas Italy