A biomonitoring study to detect atmospheric fluoride in Egypt: Passive, biomonitoring | ||
| Journal of Pest Control and Environmental Sciences | ||
| Volume 7, Issue 1, April 1999, Pages 37-70 PDF (2.16 M) | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/jpces.1999.462090 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Samia A. Madkour* 1; Ashraf A. Zahran2 | ||
| 1Dept Agric Botany Fac. Agric, Alexandria Univ., Damanhour Egypt | ||
| 2Dept of Environmental Studies, Institute of Graduate Studies and Research, Alexandria Univ, Alexandria, Egypt. | ||
| Abstract | ||
| The Egyptian Copper works at Hagar-EL-Noatia east of Alexandria produces High fluoride emissions which have been responsible for damage to vegetation in the area close to the plant. This study attempted to monitor gaseous and particulate fluoride (F) through the use of indigenous plants as bioindicators and bioaccumulators (monitors). Foliage samples were collected from dominant tree species located up to. 3 km downwind from the smelter and, were analyzed after washing for their fluoride concentrations. Among the native trees studied casuarina was the most efficient bio-accumulator of gaseous fluoride followed by eucalyptus, willow and ficus. High fluoride levels which exceeded the normal background (10 µg F/g) were confined to an area 0.5 km radius. Visible injury symptoms occurred on relatively sensitive species, native eucalyptus trees and cultivated grape vines were among the most sensitive species sampled. Fluoride levels in vegetation and air decreased with increasing distance from the smelter. Atmospheric fluoride concentrations up to 0.8 µg F/m3 was recorded occasionally near the smelter but concentration generally ranged from 0.3-0.5 μg F/m3. A temporal trend was also observed with both gaseous fluoride accumulation inside and particulate deposition on the surface of the foliage with a significant decrease in the summer (June-July) and marked increase in the fall (October-November). Meteorological factors influencing fluoride transport and dispersion were discussed as possible causes for this pattern. Fluoride accumulation in soil was also monitored and was found to depend on climatic variations. It was concluded that casuarina and eucalyptus can be considered as good candidates in future biomonitoring efforts and that grapevines should not be cultivated in the area in view of their high sensitivity to F. | ||
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