Developing a novel warning-informative system as a tool for environmental decision-making based on biomonitoring

[Display omitted] •National monitoring of air pollution is a mandatory requirement for many countries.•New, green methodologies are needed for the environmental decision-making process.•Common tree species were used in an innovative national biomonitoring programme.•Concentration of lead (Pb), cadmi...

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Published in:	Ecological indicators Vol. 89; pp. 480 - 487
Main Authors:	Ştefănuţ, Sorin, Manole, Anca, Ion, Mihaela C., Constantin, Marian, Banciu, Cristian, Onete, Marilena, Manu, Minodora, Vicol, Ioana, Moldoveanu, Mirela M., Maican, Sanda, Cobzaru, Ioana, Nicoară, Roxana G., Florescu, Larisa I., Mogîldea, Elena D., Purice, Dorina M., Nicolae, Claudia D., Catană, Rodica D., Teodosiu, Gabriela, Dumitrache, Cristina A., Maria, Gabriel M., Vâtcă, Ciprian, Oanţă, Melania, Öllerer, Kinga
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Elsevier Ltd 01-06-2018
Subjects:	Arsenic Cadmium Lead Monitoring Nickel Pollution thresholds Lead Cadmium Pollution thresholds Nickel Arsenic Monitoring
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Summary:	[Display omitted] •National monitoring of air pollution is a mandatory requirement for many countries.•New, green methodologies are needed for the environmental decision-making process.•Common tree species were used in an innovative national biomonitoring programme.•Concentration of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni) and arsenic (As) was measured.•BioMonRo software is a novel functional warning-informing and decision-making tool. Biomonitoring, i.e. using plant species for measuring pollution levels, has been previously explored in several locations using various protocols and organisms in the search for effective strategies and practices for monitoring and reducing the levels of pollution. Here we present a tested and functional cost-effective method of using the foliar accumulation of tree species to develop a system for the long-term monitoring of airborne heavy metal bioaccumulation at a large, national scale. A total number of 1230 leaf samples have been collected during a vegetation season in 410 sampling locations scattered across Romania. Concentration levels were determined using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. Data from literature were used as reference values for the natural concentration of heavy metals in plants. Values exceeding these levels were considered as indicators of pollution, and used to define pollution thresholds. The maximum amounts measured in the collected samples were 152 mg kg−1 dry weight for lead, 25.65 mg kg−1 dry weight for cadmium, 65.51 mg kg−1 dry weight for nickel and 4.81 mg kg−1 dry weight for arsenic. For analysing and communicating the findings, the BioMonRo software has been developed as a novel tool for warning-informing and decision-making. The software, now implemented by the Ministry of Environment for monitoring environmental quality, uses concentration data to build up national heavy metal pollution maps and can generate reports, which are automatically sent to various stakeholders. Based on our findings, we consider that tree species are efficient biomonitors, and similar methods could be successfully used in extensive biomonitoring programmes (national, regional or European), and for informing authorities.
ISSN:	1470-160X 1872-7034
DOI:	10.1016/j.ecolind.2018.02.020