A novel screening method to identify air pollution by genotoxic compounds.

Genotoxic compounds, as common contaminants of the air environment, are of interest in air pollution monitoring. There are several methods to determine the level of these contaminants in different localities, many of which may be difficult to access with the use of conventional active and passive samplers. In the present study, the needles Pinus mugo Turra and Picea abies were used to monitor sampling localities in Austria, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. Needles were extracted and chemical analysis and the genotoxicity bioassay SOS chromotest were used to obtain complex information about the chemical mixture of pollutants present and their genotoxic effects. The SOS chromotest method was optimized by using a CPRG chromogenic substrate to reduce the false positive genotoxic effect of needle extracts. Pinus mugo Turra and Picea abies were identified as suitable passive sampling matrices for long-term air monitoring using the same plants sampled at the same time. The presented study brings an innovative method for the fast screening and identification of localities loaded by genotoxic active air contaminants.

Towards improved comparability of studies addressing atmospheric concentrations of semivolatile organic compounds based on their sequestration in pine needles.

Coniferous needles can be used as a passive air sampler of semivolatile organic compounds (SVOC) and an indicator of atmospheric pollution patterns and trends. There is limited information on whether different parts of the plant (e.g., foliage leaves, dwarf shoots, twig, etc.) contain different levels of SVOC. Only few studies have compared levels of SVOC surface layer of wax and to their total content in all needle tissues and what affects an uptake and distribution of SVOC. It is important to have better understanding of the extent to which sampling and sample preparation procedures affect measured levels of SVOC in pine needles and reduce comparability of data from samples processed in different ways. In the present study, we assessed an impact of various sampling and sample preparation techniques on the levels of SVOC in Pinus sylvestris needles. While the impact of various storing, washing and drying methods was not significant, presence of dwarf shoots in the sample or structural damage of needles affected the results significantly. Results show that levels of SVOC in dwarf shoots are 2-8 times higher than those in foliage leaves. Therefore, dwarf shoots must be carefully removed before foliage leaves extraction to improve comparability of results. There were different patterns in SVOC on the surface of the foliage leaves compared to the whole leaves. An uptake of these substances by the surface wax as well as their occurrence in the internal structure was of function of the physico-chemical properties of the substances (log Kow, molar weight).

Pine Needles for the Screening of Perfluorinated Alkylated Substances (PFASs) along Ski Tracks.

Perfluorinated alkylated substances (PFASs) are today considered persistent, toxic, and bioaccumulative contaminants. Perfluorooctansulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) are currently listed as priority substances under the UNEP global convention for the regulation of POPs. A previous study reported higher levels of PFASs in pine needles near ski areas. Their application as stain repellents in modern outdoor clothes and in ski waxes is assumed to be a potential source. Pine trees (Pinus mugo in Slovakia and Pinus sylvestris in Norway) were chosen for sampling in ski resorts. Relative distributions, overall concentrations, trend estimates, elevation patterns, and distance from primary sources were assessed. PFOA was the predominant PFAS constituent in pine needles from Slovakia (8-93%). In Norway, the most-abundant PFAS was perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA: 3-66%). A difference in product composition (particularly in ski waxes) and differences in Norwegian and Slovakian regulations are considered to be the primary reason for these differences. Open application of PFOA in industry and products has been banned in Norway since 2011. The replacement of PFOA with short-chain substitutes is thus considered the reason for the observed pattern differences in the analyzed pine needles. Regular monitoring and screening programs are recommended.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in herbaceous Centaurium erythraea affected by various sources of environmental pollution.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are persistent xenobiotics with harmful effects on humans and wildlife. Their levels in the environment and accumulation in biota must be carefully controlled especially in species harvested from wild populations and commonly used as medicines. Our objective has been to determine PBDE concentrations (BDEs 28, 47, 66, 85, 99, 100, 153, 154, 183 and 209) in Centaurium erythraea collected at sites with various levels of environmental pollution. PBDE congener profiles in C. erythraea were dominated by BDE209, which accounted for 47-89% of the total PBDE burden in the plants. Principal Component and Classification Analysis, which classifies the concentration of PBDEs in C. erythraea, allowed us to distinguish the pattern of these compounds characteristic for the origin of pollution: BDEs 28, 47, 66, 85, 99, 100 for lignite and general chemical industry and the vicinity of an expressway and BDEs 183 and 209 for a thermal power plant and ferrochrome smelting industry. Careful selection of sites with C. erythraea for medicinal purposes is necessary as this herb can accumulate PBDEs while growing at polluted sites.