Assessment of quality of air in Palermo by chemical (ICP-OES) and cytological analyses on leaves of Eucalyptus camaldulensis

In this work, we studied the influence of air pollution on the morpho-structural, biochemical and chemical composition of Eucalyptus camaldulensis leaves. Analyses were carried out on 22 samples collected in Palermo (Italy) area. Considering the mean concentrations (in unwashed leaves) of investigated metals, nutrient elements as Fe (214 mg kg(-1) dry weight (d.w.)), Mn (160 mg kg(-1) d.w.) and Zn (39 mg kg(-1) d.w.) were the most abundant, whereas Pb (5.6 mg kg(-1) d.w.) and Cd (0.072 mg kg(-1) d.w.) showed the lowest concentrations. The values of metal pollution index (MPI) ranged from 6.0 (station no. 15) to 25 (station no. 8) and from 4.0 (station no. 16) to 17 (stations no. 7 and no. 1…

The PAH composition of surface sediments from Stagnone coastal lagoon, Marsala (Italy)

Abstract This paper examines the presence, distribution, nature and sources of 22 Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are important environmentally and toxicologically, in sediments from the Stagnone coastal lagoon at Marsala (Italy). Analysis was performed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) with selected ion monitoring (SIM). The total concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons ranged from 72 to 18381 μg/kg of dry matrix. The relative standard deviation (RSD) of the replicates on the concentrations of individual compounds ranged from 5% to 20%. The accuracy of method was estimated by analyzing “blank” samples added of known quantities of analytes and the recover percent…

LEAVES OFNERIUM OLEANDERL. AS BIOACCUMULATORS OF POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS (PAH) IN THE AIR OF PALERMO (ITALY): EXTRACTION AND GC-MS ANALYSIS, DISTRIBUTION AND SOURCES

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) were determined in the leaves of Nerium oleander L. an evergreen plant that occurs widely in both urban and rural areas, to monitor the degree of pollution in the urban area of Palermo (Italy) compared to remote areas. Twenty sites (urban roadside, urban, urban park, suburban and rural) in and around Palermo city were investigated. The purpose of this research was to investigate concentration levels and distribution patterns and relate them to possible sources. Analysis of 19 PAH was performed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GCMS) using selected ion monitoring (SIM). The total amount of PAH ranged from 10 to 166 μg/Kg d.w. Each source gives ri…

How building an underwater pipeline connecting Libya to Sicilian coast is affecting environment: polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sediments; monitoring the evolution of the shore approach area of the Gulf of Gela (Italy)

The purpose of this study was to determine the variation of concentrations and distribution of PAHs in the sediments of the Gela coastal area (Italy) caused by the construction of an underwater pipeline connecting Libya to Sicilian coast. The receiving terminal of offshore pipeline, crossing the Mediterranean Sea, 516 Km long, up to 1127 meters deep, is located in Gela (Sicily, Italy). No bibliographic data regarding hydrocarbons are available for this area. In this paper we report the results of analysis on the water and organic along PAHs.The total concentrations of 16 PAHs in the sediments, analyzed during five surveys, ranged from 2.4 to 434 microg/kg of dry weight. The highest concentr…

Absorption of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by pinus bark: analytical method and use for environmental pollution monitoring in the Palermo area (Sicily, Italy)

Abstract In the light of using biomaterial as pollutants sorbents for the environmental biomonitoring, we report here the results of the absorption of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by pine bark. Quantitative analysis of 19 different polycyclic aromatic compounds was performed, after Soxhlet extraction in dichloromethane, by means GC–MS technique. Pinus was chosen due to its wide distribution in the Mediterranean area. The passive absorption of PAH by pine bark in the metropolitan areas allowed us to evaluate the air quality of Palermo. The obtained results showed a very high range of PAHs concentrations, from 33 μg/kg (bark dry weight), as ΣPAHs, at the control site to 1015 μg/kg …

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in coffee brew samples: analytical method by GC-MS, profile, levels and sources.

Roasting is a crucial step for the production of coffee, as it enables the development of color, aroma, and flavor, which are essential for the characterization of the coffee quality. At the same time, roasting may lead to the formation of not desirable compounds, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). In this paper, we report a method for PAHs determination in coffee brew, based on saponification and liquid-liquid extraction with small volumes of hexane, with exclusion of further processes of purification since we analyze the extract by gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detectors in the single ion monitoring mode (SIM). The total concentration of the 28 compounds investi…

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sediments: Monitoring the evolution of the shore approach area of the Gulf of Gela

Composition, distribution, and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sediments of the gulf of Milazzo (Mediterranean Sea, Italy)

This article describes the characterization of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sediments of Milazzo Gulf (Italy) located in front of an oil refinery and a power plant. The investigated area is characterized by urban and industrial activities. The sixteen PAHs identified by the USEPA, as requiring priority monitoring, and other non USEPA listed PAHs, namely perylene and some methyl derivatives, were investigated The total PAHs concentrations, expressed as ∑ 19 PAH ranges from 5.6–7402 μg/Kg d.w., with a mean value of 492 μg/Kg d.w. The concentrations of PAHs found in 64 out of 67 samples were lower than the effect range low (ERL = 2460 μg/Kg) concentration, while the remaining sam…

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) in Volcano island (Aeolian archipelago) mud utilized for therapeutic purpose

This paper examines the possible presence, distribution, nature and sources of 18 Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) as constituents of the mud pools collected in Vulcano Aeolian Island. PAH are important from environmental and toxicological point of view. Analysis was performed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) in selected ion monitoring (SIM). The total concentration of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons ranged from 112 to 154 μ g/Kg of dry matrix. The volcanic mud, used for therapeutic purposes, are moderately contaminated.