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Preliminary studies on the ability of plant barriers to capture lead and cadmium of vehicular origin

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Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine the type of plant barrier most suitable for the protection of areas adjacent to roadways from the emissions of motor vehicles, as well as to establish the most efficient plant species for use in the barriers. The survey gathered the following samples: (a) grass and soil samples near the major Italian motorway networks and from sites directly exposed to vehicle emissions or protected by plant barriers; (b) samples of leaves from various species of trees, growing both alongside motorways and in urban and remote sites. The results show that the most efficient barriers are those placed immediately alongside the road edge and the most efficient species are deciduous broadleaves and small-needle conifers.

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Bussotti, F., Grossoni, P., Batistoni, P. et al. Preliminary studies on the ability of plant barriers to capture lead and cadmium of vehicular origin. Aerobiologia 11, 11–18 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02136139

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02136139

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