Trace element biomonitoring by needles of Pinus brutia Ten. from Western Anatolia, Turkey

Abstract

The needles of Pinus brutia were used as biomonitor in Western Anatolia to investigate the levels of the trace elements (Pb, Cu, Fe, Ni and Cu) by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The samples were collected at both reference and contaminated locations, where iron was found as the priority element. Levels of Cd were similar to those in unpolluted areas, whereas high values were found for Pb, Cr, Cu, Ni and, especially, Fe.