ABSTRACT

Conifer needles bioaccumulate atmospheric pollutants, including trace metals, and may be used to monitor variations in atmospheric concentration. Needles were analyzed to determine whether a correlation exists between elevations and trace metal concentrations in proximity to roadways and other non-point sources. Composite samples of white spruce (Picea glauca) and balsam fir (Abies balsamea) needles were collected along hillsides in eastern and western Calgary, respectively. A combined total of 11 sites was sampled along two transects of increasing elevation. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of trace metal concentrations was completed using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and synthesized using regression analysis. The concentrations of cobalt, nickel, and calcium in the samples were found to exhibit a significant (P < 0.05) relationship with respect to elevation and proximity to roadways.

Keywords:

Trace Metal Deposition, Biomonitoring, Non-Point Sources, Atmospheric Deposition

1. Introduction

Tree species can bioaccumulate polluting particles from the atmosphere due to their distinct biological characteristics, contributing to the regulation of pollutants present in the atmosphere and are having been shown to be suitable in monitoring trace metals [1] [2] . Research on this subject indicates that the use of conifer needles in monitoring metal concentrations is an effective biomonitoring technique of atmospheric pollution [2] . Previous studies indicate that pine needles can accumulate elevated levels of trace metals beyond the concentrations that are crucial for biological growth [2] . Guardo et al. (2003) shown that conifer needles have additional resin channels enabling the uptake of metals and can be more effective in accumulating compounds relative to broad-leafed species. The use of spatial and temporal trends in atmospheric uptake has been used to establish concentrations gradients with respect to the distance from point sources [3] . Non-point sources, such as traffic, contribute to the variation in trace metal concentrations found in conifer needles [4] . External sources such as emissions and soil dusts can significantly affect the metal concentration accumulation on pine needle surfaces [5] . Furthermore, infrastructure, such as roads and buildings often increases the wind turbulence that may enhance the capture of particulates in the atmosphere [6] .

Numerous studies have demonstrated variance in trace metal uptake by species necessitating the need for uniform sampling [3] [7] [8] [9] . No literature regarding the use of P. glauca for biomonitoring is available while, A. balsamea is documented to be an effective species for determining atmospheric concentrations of trace metals through needle analysis [10] . Beckett et al. (2000) [6] indicated an increase in the capture efficiency of atmospheric pollutants with intricate branch compositions and numerous smaller needles. Atmospheric pollutant trends can also be determined as bioaccumulation is highest near the point source and gradually declines from the point of source [3] . Previous studies concerning elevation have been focused in alpine environments at elevations ranging from 1300 m to 1800 m where positive statistical correlations were observed [11] . The purpose of this study was to identify and quantify 28 trace metal concentrations in pine tree at varying elevations and proximity to roadway in an urban environment as a means to differentiate between natural and anthropogenic sources.

2. Materials & Methods

2.1. Study Sites

Mayland Heights (P. glauca) and the Valley Ridge-Bow River pathway (A. balsamea) in the eastern and western areas of the City of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, were selected s locations to examine P. glauca and A. balsamea as biomonitoring indicators. Site locations were selected based on 1) consistent coniferous species with respect to its elevation, 2) the presence of non-point sources (e.g., roadways), and 3) accessibility.

2.1.1. Mayland Heights Site

Mayland Heights is situated northeast of a major city traffic source, Highway No. 2 (Deerfoot Trail). This expressway is heavily congested during rush hours, typically in the morning and late afternoon, which is in part due to commuters heading Northbound and Southbound through Calgary. Lower traffic roadways to the southeast and north of the sampling locations are present at higher elevations, while Highway No. 2 adjoins with the lowest elevation sampling point. Pine needles were collected from six locations ranging from elevations of 1037 m to 1066 m, and located downwind of the northeasterly winds relative to location 2 (Figure 1, Table 1).

2.1.2. Valley Ridge-Bow River Pathway Site

The Valley Ridge -Bow River pathway is situated on the western edge of Calgary, south of the Bow River and north of the Trans-Canada Highway. The Trans- Canada Highway exhibits persistent traffic throughout the day, as it one of the dominant longitudinal transit ways through Calgary. Highway 201 (Stoney Trail NW) is situated east of the study area with similar traffic volumes to Highway 1. The highest site altitude adjoins Highway 201, and each site was sampling point was located at decreasing elevations relative to this expressway (Figure 2, Table 1).

2.2. Sample Collection & Chemical Analysis

Pine needles were collected from all cardinal directions at heights of 1 to 2 meters (m) above the ground mature healthy trees displaying minimal foliage browning and signs of disease. Composite pine needle samples were collected by randomly selecting 2 to 3 individual trees at each site that were assumed to be representative of the study site. To test this assumption, a composite sample of needles at location 1 was collected with three additional samples from the individual trees.

Samples were collected on 24^th & 26^th of February 2016. Each composite sample was collected by peeling needles from the branches while removing the cuticle, and transferring into a plastic sampling bag in the field. Each bag was labeled on-site with the location, elevation, and GPS coordinates. Sampling occurred on separate days to ensure exposure time prior to preservation was consistent between locations. The needle samples were transported to the laboratory and stored in a freezer at −4˚C to prevent biological decomposition.

Needles were prepared for analysis by stripping any remaining cuticles, mixing and drying in oven at 100˚C for 16 hours. Two-grams of dried samples were then transferred into the Thermolyne F6000, Thermo Fisher Scientific (NC, USA) furnace for dry-ashing. Samples were heated at 6.6˚C/min to a final temperature of 400˚C with a dwell of 24 hours to ensure complete removal of carbon.

Following ashing, samples were digested using 10 millimeters (mls) of concentrated ultrapure nitric acid and 10 µl of hydrogen peroxide for 24 hours. The supernatant was diluted with deionized water and analysis of trace metal concentrations was completed with Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The ICP-MS was performed with an X Series 2 Thermo Fisher Scientific (MA, USA). The ICP-MS was calibrated using stock solutions of Fe, K, Ca, Na, Mg for calibration and 10 parts per million (ppm) of Ag, Al, As, Ba, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Tl, V, Zn, Th, U in 10% HNO₃, Agilent), an internal standard (single element standard, 10 μg/mL Rh in 2% HCl, Agilent) and a pine needle certified reference material (CRM-PN-A, High-purity standards Inc.). Each sample was analyzed six times and to ensure precision of data (data tightly clustered around the mean), analysis was repeated if the relative standard deviation was greater than 2%.

2.3. Statistical Analysis

Statistical analysis of elemental concentrations contained in the needle samples was completed using regression analysis and repeated measures of variance (ANOVA). Data quality analysis was completed and outliers observed within the dataset were discarded with 98% confidence using the t-test. Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r) was used to establish a relationship between elevations and trace metal concentration.

3. Results & Discussion

The range and mean concentration of 15 trace metals detected in the needles of P. glauca (Mayland Heights) and A. balsamea (Valley Ridge-Bow River pathway) conifer species are summarized in Table 2. Higher concentrations were exhibited at Mayland Heights and it is assumed that variation in traffic congestion may account for differences in metal concentration ranges for the two study areas. Mayland Heights was surrounded by major roadways with daily traffic flows of 169,000 and 79,000 vehicles relative to the 51,000 daily traffic flow adjacent to Valley Ridge-Bow River pathway [12] . Possible additional compounding factors include the northeasterly winds that pass through the city and their ability to carry certain trace metals distances up to 200 kilometers (km) [13] , thereby increasing trace metal concentrations downwind of the source [3] [14] .

3.1. Correlations

Three of the 28 trace metals analyzed displayed a statistically significant correlation between elevation and concentration (P < 0.05), indicated by Pearson’s correlation coefficient. The analysis of variance of Ca, Ni, and Co are shown in Table 3.

3.1.1. Cobalt

Concentrations of cobalt ranged from 0.18 (±0.004) milligrams per kilogram

(mg/Kg) at the highest altitude of 1066 m to 0.24 (±0.009) mg/Kg at the lowest altitude of 1037 m at Mayland Heights (Figure 3). A negative correlation between cobalt concentrations with respect to altitude (P < 0.05, R² = 0.79184) was observed mirroring the trend identified by Lin and Schuepp (1995) in A. balsamea [10] .

The linear relationship between altitude and trace-metal concentration suggests the highest concentrations are directly correlated to the increased traffic volume associated with Deerfoot Trail relative to surrounding non-point sources. Major anthropogenic sources of cobalt in the environment are typically associated with industry and mining operations [13] . The Mayland Heights study area is upwind of the major industrial sector in eastern Calgary. Although there are no cobalt mines present within 330 km of Calgary; low amounts of cobalt are present in vehicle emissions and attributed to the combustion of fossil fuels [15] .

Preceding studies have shown that background levels of cobalt in plant tissue near roadways are generally <1 ppm and are largely attributed to metabolic processes in organisms at low concentrations [16] , while uncontaminated areas range from 0.4 - 0.8 parts per trillion (ppt) [17] . The dominant intake method of cobalt is unclear, with its introduction through the root system favored [9] [18] and contested due to low transfer potential attributed to minimal bioavailability of cobalt [8] . Despite the correlation of cobalt with its proximity to roadways, a strong correlation (R² < 40%) between cobalt and other vehicle exhaust metals (copper, nickel and lead) was not found suggesting sources other than traffic exhaust were potential contributors. Additionally, spatial characteristics including tree spacing, surface area, and surrounding vegetation may affect the uptake or deposition of atmospheric particles [6] .

3.1.2. Nickel

Nickel displayed a positive correlation (P < 0.05) between concentrations with respect to elevation at Valley Ridge-Bow River site (Figure 4). Nickel is a common exhaust emission with concentrations decreasing with distances from roadways [4] [19] [20] [21] [22] ; additional sources are linked to the tire-wear and deterioration of brake linings on vehicles [20] . Snowmelt beneath tree canopies has been correlated with increased nickel concentrations while in proximity to point-source pollution [23] . With exposure to the roadway increasing with elevation due to decreased foliage density, sites at higher elevations have snow

piles more exposed to vehicle emissions that consequently melt and enter the soil profile and root system. Baseline studies in other regions have reported con- centrations not exceeding 5 ppm [17] , with toxicity occurring at 10 - 15 ppm [24] .

When comparing the nickel concentrations to other potential elements from vehicle exhaust (e.g., copper and lead), a statistically significant correlation was not observed. The absence in appearance of uniform deposition of these elements may be related to their translocation within the tree. Copper and nickel are phloem-mobile elements and may be translocated from older to younger needles [5] . Additionally uptake of these elements may slow as the tree ages, so accumulation may be less in older trees/needles. As nickel is highly bioavailable, the observed concentrations may reflect the levels in the soil, as foliage is a sink from uptake in the root systems [17] .

3.1.3. Calcium

Calcium concentrations from the Valley Ridge-Bow River site displayed a positive correlation (P < 0.05) with elevation (Figure 5). Calcium is associated with traffic sources, with concentrations expected to decrease sharply to background with distance from the roadway [4] [19] [20] [21] [22] . Previous bioindicator studies identified elevated concentrations of calcium in pine needles originating from road salts used for de-icing [21] which correlates to the sodium chloride and calcium chloride mix used by the City of Calgary [25] .

The dominant source of calcium is linked to calcium carbonate in atmospheric dust particles and biogenic origins [26] , with conifer species accumulating larger concentrations relative to other higher vegetation (plants having well-de- veloped vascular tissues) [27] . Calcium is naturally present in conifer species as it acts as a regulator of stresses such as freezing conditions [28] .

4. Conclusions

The main purpose of this study was to examine the influence of elevation on metal composition of pine needles in proximity to roadways as a means to differ-

rentiate between natural and anthropogenic sources. With regards to elevation, a correlation between proximity to roadway and concentrations for cobalt, nickel and calcium is suggested. Variability between the two study locations was evident due to the proximity to roadways and varied daily with traffic volumes. However a combination of factors including uptake, translocation, and age of trees could affect trace metal bioaccumulation in conifer needles.

While the use of tree needles to examine the impact of trace metal and potential sources, the study highlights the need to understand the site specific conditions e.g. age of trees, soil properties and background concentrations at a location to determine contribution of atmospheric deposition (from both point and non-point emission sources) and soil uptake.

Acknowledgements

The author would like to thank Glenn Harahsym and Nadin Boegelsack for assistance in various aspects of the laboratory analysis. This study was funded by the Faculty of Science & Technology at Mount Royal University.

Cite this paper

Brown, G., Luu, I. and O’Sullivan, G. (2017) Trace Metal Con- centrations in Pine Needles at Varying Ele- vation in Proximity to Roadways in an Urban Environment. Journal of Environmental Protection, 8, 733-743. https://doi.org/10.4236/jep.2017.86047

References