Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
6316592 | Environmental Pollution | 2016 | 8 Pages |
Abstract
While the potential of plants to uptake polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is widely acknowledged, empirical evidence of the effects of this process on local atmospheric PAH concentrations and human health is tenuous. We measured gaseous PAH concentrations using passive samplers in urban tree-covered areas and adjacent open, treeless areas in a near-road environment in Finland to gain information on the ability of urban vegetation to improve air quality. The ability of urban, mostly deciduous, vegetation to affect PAHs was season dependent: during summer, concentrations were significantly higher in tree-covered areas, while in the fall, concentrations in open areas exceeded those in tree-covered areas. During winter, concentrations in tree-covered areas were either lower or did not differ from those in open areas. Results of this study imply that the commonly believed notion that trees unequivocally improve air quality does not apply to PAHs studied here.
Related Topics
Life Sciences
Environmental Science
Environmental Chemistry
Authors
Viljami Viippola, Anna-Lea Rantalainen, Vesa Yli-Pelkonen, Peatta Tervo, Heikki Setälä,