TY - JOUR
T1 - Relationship between levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in pine needles and socio-geographic parameters
AU - Fernandez Varela, Raquel
AU - Ratola, Nuno
AU - Alves, Arminda
AU - Amigo Rubio, Jose Manuel
PY - 2015/6/1
Y1 - 2015/6/1
N2 - The ability of pine needles to capture polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from the surrounding air is well known. In this work the current knowledge of this affinity will be enhanced, investigating the plausible links between the concentrations of PAHs found in pine needles collected in different sites in Portugal, and several socio-geographic variables with environmental relevance. Canonical correlation analysis (CCA) has proven to be a suitable and innovative technique to look for relationships within environmental datasets. In the current work, CCA will simultaneously include chemical information (concentration of PAHs found in pine needles) and socio-geographic information associated to the sampling areas. In order to be more robust in these conclusions, Pinus pinea and Pinus pinaster species were considered separately, allowing an accurate direct comparison between them. The information concerning the different seasons and land occupation was also taken into account. Our results demonstrate how CCA can be a useful tool in environmental impact assessment, and highlight the importance of pine needles as trustful biomonitors of the influence of socio-geographic parameters on the levels of PAHs in a given area.
AB - The ability of pine needles to capture polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from the surrounding air is well known. In this work the current knowledge of this affinity will be enhanced, investigating the plausible links between the concentrations of PAHs found in pine needles collected in different sites in Portugal, and several socio-geographic variables with environmental relevance. Canonical correlation analysis (CCA) has proven to be a suitable and innovative technique to look for relationships within environmental datasets. In the current work, CCA will simultaneously include chemical information (concentration of PAHs found in pine needles) and socio-geographic information associated to the sampling areas. In order to be more robust in these conclusions, Pinus pinea and Pinus pinaster species were considered separately, allowing an accurate direct comparison between them. The information concerning the different seasons and land occupation was also taken into account. Our results demonstrate how CCA can be a useful tool in environmental impact assessment, and highlight the importance of pine needles as trustful biomonitors of the influence of socio-geographic parameters on the levels of PAHs in a given area.
U2 - 10.1016/j.jenvman.2015.03.019
DO - 10.1016/j.jenvman.2015.03.019
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 25794966
SN - 0301-4797
VL - 156
SP - 52
EP - 61
JO - Journal of Environmental Management
JF - Journal of Environmental Management
ER -