J
2022
Genotoxic effects of transboundary pollutants in Pinus mugo in the high mountain habitats
KLEMMOVÁ GREGUŠKOVÁ, Eva; Daniel MIHALIK; Jan KRAIC; Michaela MRKVOVA; Jozef SOKOL et al.
Basic information
Original name
Genotoxic effects of transboundary pollutants in Pinus mugo in the high mountain habitats
Authors
KLEMMOVÁ GREGUŠKOVÁ, Eva; Daniel MIHALIK; Jan KRAIC; Michaela MRKVOVA; Jozef SOKOL; Petr GREGOR; Aneta RAFAJOVÁ and Pavel ČUPR
Edition
Ecological indicators, Amsterdam, Elsevier, 2022, 1470-160X
Other information
Type of outcome
Article in a journal
Country of publisher
Netherlands
Confidentiality degree
is not subject to a state or trade secret
Marked to be transferred to RIV
Yes
RIV identification code
RIV/00216224:14310/22:00126383
Organization
Přírodovědecká fakulta – Repository – Repository
Keywords in English
Pinus mugo; Needles; Pollen abortivity; Heavy metals; Genotoxicity; High mountains habitats
Links
CZ/FMP/16/0379, interní kód Repo. EF17_043/0009632, research and development project. 689443, interní kód Repo. 857340, interní kód Repo. 857560, interní kód Repo. 874627, interní kód Repo. RECETOX RI, large research infrastructures.
In the original language
This study evaluated the environmental genotoxic load of mountain and alpine habitats of Slovak mountains caused by the total mixture of air pollutants at 69 sites using the phytoindicator Pinus mugo. The level of overall genotoxicity was determined by pollen grain abortion assay. This shows that the test is sensitive enough to detect contamination from more distant sources, including long-range transboundary pollutants. It extends the applicability of this test to mountain environments. Soil and plant samples (pollen, one-two year old needles) were collected during a three-year growing period (2011-2013). The study identified source regions of pollutants by assessments at different altitudes and slope exposures. The highest genotoxicity was found in the Little Fatra Mts. on Suchy Mt., with pollen abortivity 3.52 % which represented a 23.5 times higher genotoxic load than at the control site. Samples from mountain peaks showed a higher genotoxicity in 2012 than in 2011 on most mountains. A gradual increase of pollen abortivity and needle Pb content (one year old) with increasing altitude was found in the vertical transect in Belian Tatras. The influence of subsoil type was analysed; higher genotoxicity and Pb content in soil and needles were found on limestone subsoil (Sivy vrch Mt.) and higher values of needle Cd were on granite (Brestova Mt.). The highest Pb and Cd concentrations in needles were measured in the Great Fatra Mts. on Krizna Mt. situated between highly-industrialized areas. The other mountain ranges with the high loading by Pb, Cd were Chocske vrchy Mts. and Low Tatra Mts. The lead content increased with needle age, but the correlation between soil Pb and needle Pb was not confirmed. The positive correlation between soil Pb and abortivity was found only at mountain peaks. The results showed a significant impact of both local industrial and transboundary sources of pollutants. Based on the results, the studied Slovak mountains were not strongly burdened by Pb, Cd and an overall mixture of air pollutants. This methodological approach may contribute to the assessment of urban exposome by comparing the external exposure in urban environment of big cities with background - mountain areas, where the only possible source is long-range transport.
Displayed: 2/5/2026 21:25