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Dendroanalysis: a tool for biomonitoring environmental pollution?

C Nabais1, H Freitas, J Hagemeyer

  • 1Departamento de Botânica, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal. cnabais@gemini.ci.uc.pt

The Science of the Total Environment
|September 4, 1999
PubMed
Summary

Dendroanalysis uses tree rings to track pollution, but element mobility and growth rates can alter patterns. Caution is advised when using tree rings for retrospective heavy metal pollution biomonitoring.

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Area of Science:

  • Environmental Science
  • Biomonitoring
  • Geochemistry

Background:

  • Trees in temperate regions form annual growth rings, enabling accurate dating.
  • Wood samples can be analyzed for heavy metal content to create a chronological record of environmental pollution.
  • This retrospective biomonitoring method is termed dendroanalysis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the reliability of dendroanalysis for retrospective biomonitoring of heavy metal pollution.
  • To investigate the assumptions and limitations of using tree rings as a chronological record of trace elements.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of heavy metal content in tree ring samples of different ages.
  • Comparison of radial element distribution patterns within and between trees.

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  • Assessment of potential factors affecting element distribution, such as element mobility and tree growth rates.

    • Main Results:

    • Some studies show good correlation between tree ring heavy metal data and industrial/traffic pollution records.
    • Other studies indicate limitations due to element mobility within tree tissues (e.g., ray parenchyma cells).
    • Tree ring growth rates can influence element concentrations, with slower growth potentially leading to higher concentrations.

    Conclusions:

    • Dendroanalysis has potential for retrospective biomonitoring but requires careful consideration of influencing factors.
    • Element mobility and variations in tree growth rates can alter radial element distribution patterns.
    • The use of heavy metal patterns in tree rings for chronological pollution records should be approached with caution.