A biomonitoring survey, above treeline level, using two endemic species (Senecio aethnensis and Rumex aethnensis) was performed on Mt. Etna, in order to evaluate the dispersion and the impact of volcanic emissions. Samples of leaves were collected in summer 2008 from 30 sites in the upper part of the volcano (1500-3000 m a.s.l). Acid digestion of samples was carried out with a microwave oven, and 44 elements were analysed by using plasma spectrometry (ICP-MS and ICP-OES). The highest concentrations of all investigated elements were found in the samples collected closest to the degassing craters, and in the downwind sector, confirming that the eastern flank of Mt. Etna is the most impacted by volcanic emissions. Leaves collected along two radial transects from the active vents on the eastern flank, highlight that the levels of metals decreas one or two orders of magnitude with the distance from the source. This variability is higher for volatile elements (As, Bi, Cd, Cs, Pb, Sb, Tl) than for more refractory elements (Al, Ba, Sc, Si, Sr, Th, U). The two different species of plants do not show significant differences in the bioaccumulation of most of the analyzed elements, except for lanthanides, which are sistematically enriched in Rumex leaves. The high concentrations of many toxic elements in the leaves allow us to consider these plants as highly tolerant species to the volcanic emissions, and suitable for biomonitoring researches.

CALABRESE, S., BELLOMO, S., BRUSCA, L., D’ALESSANDRO, W., DI MAIO, G., PARELLO, F., et al. (2009). Biomonitoring of volcanogenic trace elements using two endemic species (Senecio aethnensis and Rumex aethnensis) on Mt. Etna.. ??????? it.cilea.surplus.oa.citation.tipologie.CitationProceedings.prensentedAt ??????? Volcanoes, Landscape and Cultures - First World Conferences, Catania, Italy.

Biomonitoring of volcanogenic trace elements using two endemic species (Senecio aethnensis and Rumex aethnensis) on Mt. Etna.

CALABRESE, Sergio;PARELLO, Francesco;SAIANO, Filippo
2009-01-01

Abstract

A biomonitoring survey, above treeline level, using two endemic species (Senecio aethnensis and Rumex aethnensis) was performed on Mt. Etna, in order to evaluate the dispersion and the impact of volcanic emissions. Samples of leaves were collected in summer 2008 from 30 sites in the upper part of the volcano (1500-3000 m a.s.l). Acid digestion of samples was carried out with a microwave oven, and 44 elements were analysed by using plasma spectrometry (ICP-MS and ICP-OES). The highest concentrations of all investigated elements were found in the samples collected closest to the degassing craters, and in the downwind sector, confirming that the eastern flank of Mt. Etna is the most impacted by volcanic emissions. Leaves collected along two radial transects from the active vents on the eastern flank, highlight that the levels of metals decreas one or two orders of magnitude with the distance from the source. This variability is higher for volatile elements (As, Bi, Cd, Cs, Pb, Sb, Tl) than for more refractory elements (Al, Ba, Sc, Si, Sr, Th, U). The two different species of plants do not show significant differences in the bioaccumulation of most of the analyzed elements, except for lanthanides, which are sistematically enriched in Rumex leaves. The high concentrations of many toxic elements in the leaves allow us to consider these plants as highly tolerant species to the volcanic emissions, and suitable for biomonitoring researches.
2009
Volcanoes, Landscape and Cultures - First World Conferences
Catania, Italy
11-14 Novembre 2009
2009
1
CALABRESE, S., BELLOMO, S., BRUSCA, L., D’ALESSANDRO, W., DI MAIO, G., PARELLO, F., et al. (2009). Biomonitoring of volcanogenic trace elements using two endemic species (Senecio aethnensis and Rumex aethnensis) on Mt. Etna.. ??????? it.cilea.surplus.oa.citation.tipologie.CitationProceedings.prensentedAt ??????? Volcanoes, Landscape and Cultures - First World Conferences, Catania, Italy.
Proceedings (atti dei congressi)
CALABRESE, S; BELLOMO, S; BRUSCA, L; D’ALESSANDRO, W; DI MAIO, G; PARELLO, F; SAIANO, F
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10447/45230
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