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Traffic pollution affects tree-ring width and isotopic composition of Pinus pinea
Giovanna Battipaglia1, Fabio Marzaioli, Carmine Lubritto
1WSL Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research, CH-8903 Birmensdorf, Switzerland. giovanna.battipaglia@wsl.ch
The Science of the Total Environment
|October 27, 2009
Summary
Radiocarbon dating, combined with tree ring analysis, reveals how traffic pollution impacts trees. This method effectively tracks environmental stress from traffic exhaust in urban areas.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Radiocarbon Dating
- Dendrochronology
Background:
- Urban trees are exposed to significant pollution from traffic exhaust.
- Understanding the impact of this pollution on tree health and growth is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of traffic pollution on *Pinus pinea* trees using radiocarbon and stable isotope analysis.
- To establish a time-related trend of pollution effects on tree growth residuals since 1980.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of tree rings and needles from *Pinus pinea* adjacent to major roads.
- Radiocarbon ((14)C) dating and stable isotope analysis (delta(13)C, delta(15)N).
- Estimation of time-related trends in tree growth residuals.
Main Results:
- A consistent decrease in tree ring width was observed starting from 1980.
- A slight increase in delta(13)C values indicated environmental stress.
- An increasing dilution effect of fossil fuels on atmospheric (14)C was detected, linked to increased traffic exhaust.
Conclusions:
- Radiocarbon analysis is a sensitive tool for detecting disturbances caused by traffic exhaust at both small and large scales.
- Tree ring and isotope analysis can effectively monitor the impact of urban pollution on trees.
- The study highlights the long-term effects of traffic pollution on urban tree health.
