Concentrations of Pb, Zn, and Cu in Taraxacum spp. in relation to urban pollution

• Published in: Bulletin of environmental contamination and toxicology 1994-08, Vol.53 (2), p.204-210
• Main Authors: Cook, C.M. (University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.), Sgardelis, S.P, Pantis, J.D, Lanaras, T
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 560300 > Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology; AIR POLLUTION; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION; Biological and medical sciences; BIOLOGICAL INDICATORS; Cadmium; Chemical analysis; CHEMICAL COMPOSITION; CINC; COBRE; Contamination; COPPER; Copper - analysis; CUIVRE; Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution; Effects of pollution and side effects of pesticides on plants and fungi; ELEMENTS; Environment; Environmental impact; ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; GRECE; GRECIA; GREECE; Heavy metals; LEAD; Lead (metal); Lead - analysis; METALS; PLANTS; Plants - chemistry; PLOMB; PLOMO; POLLUTION; POLLUTION DU SOL; POLUCION DEL SUELO; Q1; RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT; Regression Analysis; Soil - analysis; Soil Pollutants - analysis; SOIL POLLUTION; Spectrophotometry, Atomic; TARAXACUM; Toxicology; TRANSITION ELEMENTS 540120 > Environment, Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-); URBAN AREAS; Urbanization; ZINC; Zinc - analysis
• ISSN: 0007-4861; 1432-0800
• DOI: 10.1007/BF00192034

The major causes of air pollution such as fuel combustion and exhaust emissions results in the deposition of toxic substances, especially heavy metals. However, little information on heavy metal effects on vegetation in urban environments are available. Therefore, a study is conducted to assess the extent of heavy metal pollution by Pb, Zn, Cu, and Cd in soils and in dandelion plants. The subject chosen for study is Taraxacum spp. due to their prolific nature and ubiquitous distribution.