Journal article
Evaluating deciduous tree leaves as biomonitors for ambient particulate matter pollution in Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Environmental monitoring and assessment, v 191(12), pp 711-22
01 Dec 2019
PMID: 31676989
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) air pollution varies spatially and temporally in concentration and composition and has been shown to cause or exacerbate adverse effects on human and ecological health. Biomonitoring using airborne tree leaf deposition as a proxy for particulate matter (PM) pollution has been explored using a variety of study designs, tree species, sampling strategies, and analytical methods. In the USA, relatively few have applied these methods using co-located fine particulate measurements for comparison and relying on one tree species with extensive spatial coverage, to capture spatial variation in ambient air pollution across an urban area. Here, we evaluate the utility of this approach, using a spatial saturation design and pairing tree leaf samples with filter-based PM2.5 across Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with the goal of distinguishing mobile and stationary sources using PM2.5 composition. Co-located filter and leaf-based measurements revealed some significant associations with traffic and roadway proximity indicators. We compared filter and leaf samples with differing protection from the elements (e.g., meteorology) and PM collection time, which may account for some variance in PM source and/or particle size capture between samples. To our knowledge, this study is among the first to use deciduous tree leaves from a single tree species as biomonitors for urban PM2.5 pollution in the northeastern USA.
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Details
- Title
- Evaluating deciduous tree leaves as biomonitors for ambient particulate matter pollution in Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Creators
- Sara E. Gillooly - Harvard UniversityDrew R. Michanowicz - University of PittsburghMike Jackson - University of MinnesotaLeah K. Cambal - University of PittsburghJessie L. C. Shmool - University of PittsburghBrett J. Tunno - University of PittsburghSheila Tripathy - University of PittsburghDaniel J. Bain - University of PittsburghJane E. Clougherty - University of Pittsburgh
- Publication Details
- Environmental monitoring and assessment, v 191(12), pp 711-22
- Publisher
- Springer Nature
- Number of pages
- 22
- Grant note
- Heinz Endowments University of Pittsburgh Central Research Development Funds; University of Pittsburgh University of Minnesota Institute for Rock Magnetism fellowship award University of Pittsburgh Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Funds
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Dana and David Dornsife School of Public Health; Drexel University; Environmental and Occupational Health
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000494714400004
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85074247557
- Other Identifier
- 991020099919804721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Environmental Sciences