Benzo[e]pyrene in leaves of poplars from the Saartal
Decreasing contamination since the early 1990s
Benzo[e]pyrene is a product of combustion of fossil fuels and other organic material. It is environmentally persistent and accumulates in organisms.
Concentrations of benzo[e]pyrene in and on leaves of lombardy poplars from the Saartal have declined significantly since the early 1990s. This indicates that atmospheric benzo[e]pyrene pollution has decreased due to improved emission protection.
![Benzo[e]pyrene in leaves of lombardy poplars from the Saartal](/upb_static/fck/images/chart_en_Benzo(e)pyren_Pappel_Saartal.png "Benzo[e]pyrene in leaves of lombardy poplars from the Saartal")
Fig. 1: Benzo[e]pyrene in leaves of lombardy poplars from the Saartal Zoom in
Recommended profiles
Specimen
| Lombardy poplar | A deciduous tree typical of ecosystems close to dense conurbations and an indicator for the characterisation of the immission situation during the vegetation period. |
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Analytes
| Benzo[e]pyrene | Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon with five connected six-membered rings |
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Sampling area
| Saarländischer Verdichtungsraum | Important, old-industrialised conurbation in Germany. |
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