Skip to main content

Biomonitoring of Environmental Pollution Using Dielectric Properties of Tree Leaves

Environmental Monitoring and Assessment volume 133, pages 69–78 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

In the present work, dielectric measurements were performed in plane-tree leaves collected from a polluted urban site and a natural unpolluted one, in order to investigate the sensitivity of dielectric relaxation spectroscopy to the detection of heavy metals pollution. Although heavy metal concentrations at the urban site are not found considerable higher than those at the natural site, the two samples exhibit different features in the recorded dielectric spectra. Evaluation of experimental data suggests that the dielectric modulus (M*(ω)) representation is the most suitable for accenting the different dielectric relaxation processes of each sample. The imaginary part of dielectric modulus M″(ω) was fitted using a three-term Havriliak–Negami relaxation function, with fitting parameters, which depend on the concentrations of heavy metals. The lower frequency relaxation process is attributed to the ionic conductivity of the samples, while the two others are due to different charge transport mechanisms of α-response. The investigation of plane-tree leaves in terms of their dielectric properties can be considered as a promising biomonitoring for environmental pollution.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

43,34 €

Price includes VAT (Finland)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

References

  • Alaimo, M. G., Lipani, B., Lombardo, M. G., Orecchio, S., Turano, M., & Melati, M. R. (2000). The mapping of stress in the predominant plants in the city of Palermo by lead dosage. Aerobiologia, 16, 47–54.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alfani, A., Baldantoni, D., Maisto, G., Bartoli, G., & Virzo De Santo, A. (1997). Time and site integrated biomonitoring of Pb, Cr, Fe, Cu, V and Cd in the urban area of Naples. Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology, 11, 176–178.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Alfani, A., Baldantoni, D., Maisto, G., Bartoli, G., & Virzo De Santo, A. (2000). Temporal and spatial variation in C, N, S and trace element contents in the leaves of Quercus ilex within the urban area of Naples. Environmental Pollution, 109, 119–129.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Alfani, A., Bartoli, G., Rutigliano, F. A., Maisto, G., & Virzo De Santo, A. (1996). Trace metal biomonitoring in the soil and the leaves of Quercus ilex in the urban area of Naples. Biological Trace Element Research, 51, 117–131.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Alfani, A., Maisto, G., Iovieno, P., Rutigliano, F. A., & Bartoli, G. (1996). Leaf contamination by atmospheric pollutants as assessed by elemental analysis of leaf tissue, leaf surface deposit and soil. Journal of Plant Physiology, 148, 243–248.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Broadhurst, M. G., Chiang, C. K., Wahlstrand, K. J., Hill, R. M., Dissado, L. A., & Pugh, J. (1987). The dielectric properties of biological tissue (crassula portulacea) from 10−2 to 109 Hz. Journal of Molecular Liquids, 36, 65–73.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Czuba, M., & Kraszewski, A. (1994). Long-term cadmium exposure accelerates oxidant injury: significance of bound/free water states during long-term metal stress. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 29, 330–348.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Donth, E. (1992). Relaxation and thermodynamics in polymers. Berlin: Akademie Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • Elliott, S. R. (1994). Use of the modulus formalism in the analysis of ac conductivity data for ionic glasses. Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids, 170, 97–100.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Frohlich, H. (1958). Theory of dielectrics. Oxford: Clarendon.

    Google Scholar 

  • Georgeaud, V. M., Rochette, P., Ambrosi, J. P., Vandamme, D., & Williamson, D. (1997). Relationship between heavy metals and magnetic properties in a large polluted catchment: the Etang de Berre (south of France). Physics and Chemistry of Earth, 22, 211–214.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Granier, L., & Chevreuil, M. (1992). On the use of tree leaves as bioindicators of the contamination of air by organochlorines in France. Water, Air and Soil Pollution, 64, 575–584.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Havriliak, S., & Negami, J. (1966). A complex plane analysis of α-dispersions in some polymer systems. Journal of Polymer Science, C14, 99–117.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hill, R. M., Dissado, L. A., & Pathmanathan, K. (1987). The low-frequency dielectric properties of leaves. Journal of Biological Physics, 15, 2–16.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hill, R. M., Dissado, L. A., Pugh, J., Broadhurst, M. G., Chiang, C. K., & Wahlstrand, K. J. (1986). The dielectric response of portulacaceae (Jade) leaves over an extended frequency range. Journal of Biological Physics, 14, 133–135.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jonscher, A. K. (1983). Dielectric relaxation in solids. London: Chelsea Dielectrics.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jonscher, A. K. (1999). Dielectric relaxation in solids. Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics, 32, R57–R70.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kaya, A. (2001). Electrical spectroscopy of kaolin and bentonite slurries. Turkish Journal of Engineering and Environmental Sciences, 25, 345–354.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kaya, A., & Fang, H.-Y. (1997). Identification of contaminated soils by dielectric constant and electrical conductivity. Journal of Environmental Engineering, 123(2), 169–177.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kremer, F., & Schönhals, A. (Eds.) (2002). Broadband dielectric spectroscopy. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lux, F. (1993). Models proposed to explain the electrical conductivity of mixtures made of conductive and insulating materials. Journal of Materials Science, 28, 285–301.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Luyssaert, S., Raitio, H., Vervaeke, P., Mertens, J., & Lust, N. (2002). Sampling procedure for the foliar analysis of deciduous trees. Journal of Environmental Monitoring, 4, 858–864.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Maisto, G., Baldantoni, D., De Marco, A., Alfani, A., & Virzo De Santo, A. (2003). Biomonitoring of trace element air contamination at sites in Campania (Southern Italy). Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology, 17, 51–55.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Matzka, J., & Maher, B. A. (1999). Magnetic biomonitoring of roadside tree leaves: identification of spatial and temporal variations in vehicle-derived particulates. Atmospheric Environment, 33, 4565–4569.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Moreno, E., Sagnotti, L., Diranès-Turell, J., Winkler, A., & Cascella, A. (2003). Biomonitoring of traffic air pollution in Rome using magnetic properties of tree leaves. Atmospheric Environment, 37, 2967–2977.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Muxworthy, A., Schmidbauer, E., & Petersen, N. (2002). Magnetic properties and Mössbauer spectra of urban atmospheric particulate matter: a case study from Munich, Germany. Geophysical Journal International, 150, 558–570.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Piczak, K., Leśniewicz, A., & Zyrnicki, W. (2003). Metal concentrations in deciduous tree leaves from urban areas in Poland. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 86, 273–287.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Roldughin, V. I., & Vysotskii, V. V. (2002). Percolation properties of metal-filled polymer films, structure and mechanisms of conductivity. Progression in Organic Coatings, 39, 81–100.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rowe, R. K., Shang, J. Q., & Xie, Y. (2001). Complex permittivity measurement system for detecting soil contamination. Canadian Geotechnology Journal, 38, 498–506.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rusiniak, L. (1998). Dielectric constant of water in a porous rock medium. Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, 23, 1133–1139.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saltas, V., Vallianatos, F., Soupios, P., Makris, J. P., & Triantis, D. (2006). Dielectric and conductivity measurements as proxy method to monitor contamination in sandstone. Journal of Hazardous Materials (in press). DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat/2006.08.051

  • Schaumburg, G. (1999). New integrated dielectric analyzer extends accuracy and impedance range for material measurements. Dielectrics Newsletters, 11. Retrieved from http://www.novocontrol.de/newsletter/dnl11.pdf (May).

  • Schlosse, E., Schönhals, A., Carius, H.-E., & Goering, H. (1993). Evaluation method of temperature-dependent relaxation behavior of polymers. Macromolecules, 26, 6027–6032.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schwann, H. P. (1957). Electrical properties of tissue and cell suspensions. Advances in Biology and Medical Physics, 5, 147–209.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shang, J. Q., Ding, W., Rowe, R. K., & Josic, L. (2004). Detecting heavy metal contamination in soil using complex permittivity and artificial neural networks. Canadian Geotechnology Journal, 41, 1054–1067.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Swaileh, K. M., Hussein, R. M., & Abu-Elhaj, S. (2004). Assessment of heavy metal contamination in roadside surface soil and vegetation from the West Bank. Archives of Environment Contamination and Toxicology, 47, 23–30.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Urbat, M., Lehndorff, E., & Schwark, L. (2004). Biomonitoring of air quality in the Cologne conurbation using pine needles as a passive sampler. Part I. Magnetic properties. Atmospheric Environment, 38, 3781–3792.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Affiliations

  1. Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Technological Educational Institute of Crete, 3 Romanou St, Chalepa, 73 133, Chania, Crete, Greece

    V. Saltas & F. Vallianatos

  2. Materials Research Laboratory, Department of Electronics, Technological Educational Institute of Athens, Athens, Greece

    D. Triantis

  3. School of Agricultural Technology, Technological Educational Institute of Crete, Chania, Crete, Greece

    T. Manios

Authors
  1. V. Saltas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. D. Triantis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. T. Manios
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. F. Vallianatos
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to V. Saltas.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Saltas, V., Triantis, D., Manios, T. et al. Biomonitoring of Environmental Pollution Using Dielectric Properties of Tree Leaves. Environ Monit Assess 133, 69–78 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-006-9560-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-006-9560-7

Keywords

  • Biomonitoring
  • Dielectric spectroscopy
  • Heavy metals
  • Leaves
  • Pollution