Biomonitoring of toxic compounds of airborne particulate matter in urban and industrial areas

Publication Type
Book chapter
Authors
Klumpp, A., Ro-Poulsen, H.
Year of publication
2010
Published in
Urban Airborne Particulate Matter - Origin, Chemistry, Fate and Health Impacts
Editor
Zereini, F., Wiseman, C. L. S.
Pubisher
Springer Verlag , Berlin Heidelberg
Series/labeling
Environmental Science and Engineering
ISBN / ISSN / eISSN
978-3-642-12277-4
Page (from - to)
467-481
Abstract

The toxicity and ecotoxicity of airborne particulate matter is determined by its physical features, but also by its chemical composition. The standardised exposure of accumulative bioindicator plants is suggested as an efficient and reliable tool to assess and monitor effects of particulate matter on man and environment. Two widely applied biomonitoring procedures, namely the standardised ryegrass exposure for monitoring of trace metals, and the standardised exposure of curly kale for monitoring of PAH compounds, is presented taking examples from a Europe-wide biomonitoring study conducted in eleven European cities. The presented studies proved the suitability of the procedures applied and demonstrated the high relevance of traffic emissions for particle-bound trace metal and PAH pollution in urban areas. Recommendations for the further standardisation of methods and wider application of these methods in environmental monitoring programmes are made.

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