Pine needles as sensors of atmospheric pollution

Neutron Activation Analysis of pine needles from trees growing in areas of relatively high and low airborne pollution has been performed. Needles of three different species, and from several sequential year's crops, have been studied. The purpose of the study was to determine the type of distribution governing the elemental concentrations, the inter-and intrasite differences, and the degree of dependence on soil vs airborne elemental sources. A log normal distribution was found for those elements considered to be well determined. The results indicate that pine needles can be used as an air pollution monitor provided that sufficient sampling is done to compensate for natural variation in elemental concentrations.