Biomonitoring of trace element air contamination at sites in Campania (Southern Italy).

Surface soils and one-year-old Quercus ilex L. leaves were investigated for element concentrations to evaluate the air quality of some sites in Campania (Southern Italy). Sampling was carried out at 7 natural and 7 urban sites from September 1998 to February 1999. The investigated elements were Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, V and Zn. At the urban sites, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni and Pb Leaf concentrations were on average two fold higher than at the natural sites. Cu, Pb and Zn soil concentrations were also higher at the urban sites. On the contrary, Cd, Cr and Mn soil concentrations were significantly lower than at the natural sites. Leaf and soil element concentrations were positively correlated for Cu and Pb, and negatively correlated for Cr. Both leaves and soil element accumulations showed a conspicuous deposition of Cu, Pb and Zn at the urban sites of Campania.