Biomedical subjects

Anna Alfani

Publications and source records attributed to Anna Alfani.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Temporal variations in PAH concentrations in Quercus ilex L. (holm oak) leaves in an urban area.

Temporal variations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations in leaves of a Mediterranean evergreen oak, Quercus ilex L., were investigated in order to assess the suitability of this species to biomonitor PAH air contamination. Leaf samples were collected at six sites of the urban area of Naples (Italy) and at a control site in the Vesuvius National Park, in May and September 2001, and in January and May 2002. PAH extraction was conducted by sonication in dichloromethane-acetone and quantification by GC-MS. In winter, leaf total PAH concentrations showed, at all the urban sites, values 2-fold higher than in all the other samplings, reflecting the temporal trend reported for PAH air contamination in the Naples urban area. Moreover, leaf PAH concentrations showed, at all the urban sites, a decrease in May 2002 after the winter accumulation. At the control site leaf PAH concentrations showed lower values and smaller temporal variations than at the urban sites. The findings support the suitability of Q. ilex leaves to monitor temporal variations in PAH contamination. The highest winter concentrations of total PAHs were due to the medium molecular weight PAHs that increased with respect to both low and high molecular weight PAHs. The medium molecular weight PAHs showed the same temporal trend both at the urban and remote sites.

Cities↗

PubMed2004

Assessment of macro and microelement accumulation capability of two aquatic plants.

The concentrations of four macroelements (C, N, P, S) and eight trace metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn) were measured in the leaves and roots of the emergent plant, Phragmites communis Trin., and in the shoots and roots of the submersed Najas marina L., taken from Lake Averno (Naples, Italy). Phragmites communis leaves showed higher concentrations of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus than roots, while the roots exhibited significantly higher concentrations of sulphur and trace metals. Najas marina roots also showed higher concentrations of sulphur and trace metals than shoots, but these differences were less marked than in Phragmites communis except for sulphur. Sulphur was the only macronutrient to show the highest concentrations in the roots. Phragmites communis roots had higher values of Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn and Ni than Najas marina roots. By contrast, Cd, Cr, Fe, Ni, Pb and Zn concentrations were higher in Najas marina shoots than in Phragmites communis leaves. Phragmites communis, available through the year, showing high capability to accumulate trace metals in the roots, appears a good monitor of lake contamination, better than Najas marina.

Alismatales↗

PubMed2004

Trace element analyses in an epiphytic lichen and its bark substrate to assess suitability for air biomonitoring.

Total concentrations of Cd, Cr, Fe, Ni, Pb and Zn were compared from October 1996 to April 1998 in Physcia biziana (Massal.) Zhalbr. v. leptophylla Vezda and in the bark of Quercus ilex L. sampled from the same trees at an urban park. Trace metal concentrations were also measured in the bark covered by the lichen thalli. The lichens showed significantly higher Cr, Fe, Ni and Zn concentrations than both uncovered and covered barks. By contrast, both types of barks had higher concentrations of Cd and Pb than lichens. Trace elements showed a wide temporal variation of concentrations both in the lichens and barks. No relationship was found between the analysed matrices as regards the time course of trace element concentrations.

Air Pollutants↗

PubMed2003

Biomonitoring of trace element air contamination at sites in Campania (Southern Italy).

Surface soils and one-year-old Quercus ilex L. leaves were investigated for element concentrations to evaluate the air quality of some sites in Campania (Southern Italy). Sampling was carried out at 7 natural and 7 urban sites from September 1998 to February 1999. The investigated elements were Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, V and Zn. At the urban sites, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni and Pb Leaf concentrations were on average two fold higher than at the natural sites. Cu, Pb and Zn soil concentrations were also higher at the urban sites. On the contrary, Cd, Cr and Mn soil concentrations were significantly lower than at the natural sites. Leaf and soil element concentrations were positively correlated for Cu and Pb, and negatively correlated for Cr. Both leaves and soil element accumulations showed a conspicuous deposition of Cu, Pb and Zn at the urban sites of Campania.

Air Pollutants↗

PubMed2003

Changes in soil and leaf trace element concentrations: a study in Naples city centre.

The spatial and temporal changes of trace element concentrations in leaves and soils of an urban area were investigated simultaneously. For this purpose, in May and September 2001 and in January and May 2002, samples of Quercus ilex leaves and surrounding soils were taken at 5 sites in central Naples and on Mt. Vesuvius, a remote area, as control. The contents of Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, V and Zn were analysed in both matrices by atomic absorption spectrometry. The urban sites in Naples showed different spatial trends of contamination depending on each element. The highest leaf concentrations of Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, V and Zn were measured at the sites affected by a high traffic flow. The highest Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn soil concentrations were measured at different urban sites. The remote soil showed the highest values of Cr and V. The significant correlations between Pb and Zn in each matrix and between leaf and soil Pb and Zn concentrations suggest a common origin and an influence of wet and dry airborne deposition upon foliage and soils. Cd, Pb and Zn concentrations decreased and Cr increased from May 2001 to May 2002 in both matrices. The season and sampling period do not seem to affect trace element concentrations of Q. ilex mature leaves.

Cities↗