Fluoranthene in spruce shoots from the Saarländischer Verdichtungsraum and the Nationalpark Bayerischer Wald
Considerable differences in contamination between a region with high anthropogenic impact and a semi-natural environment
Fluoranthene contamination originates mostly from combustion of fossil fuels. Accordingly, its environmental concentrations are higher in the vicinity of industry and conurbations than in regions with low anthropogenic impact. It is environmentally persistent and has a high potential for bioaccumulation.
The effect of different environmental contaminations can well be observed in spruce shoots from the Saarland sampling site Warndt and from the National Park Bayerischer Wald with considerable higher fluoranthene levels in Warndt-spruce. Since the mid 1980s, however, contamination of spruce from the Warndt has significantly decreased. This is probably related to improved emission protection on one hand and to the shut-down of the Völklinger Ironworks on the other hand. In contrast, fluoranthene levels in spruce from the Bavarian Forest are low and remain more or less stable throughout the study period.
Recommended profiles
Specimen
| Common spruce | A major primary producer in semi-natural and anthropogenic affected ecosystems. |
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Analytes
| Fluoranthene | Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon with three six-membered rings and one five-membered ring |
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Sampling area
| Saarländischer Verdichtungsraum | Important, old-industrialised conurbation in Germany. |
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| NP Bayerischer Wald | The Bavarian Forest National Park is Germany's first national park. |