Pine needles are considered useful bio-monitors. Their waxy surface allows them to accumulate various air pollutants. Furthermore, long-term studies are possible, since the needles can reach an age of up to ten years. Mountain pines (Pinus mugo), locally called Latschen, grow amongst others in the Alps in a height of approx. 1000 m to 2200 m. Thus, they seem appropriate specimens to monitor air pollution by potentially toxic elements in higher elevations.
Needle samples were collected on the northern slopes in the Lower Inn Valley (Tirol, Austria). Different sampling sites were selected between Münster and Innsbruck, the altitude ranging from 1200 m to 2000 m. From each sample tree fresh needles, one-year-old and two and more year old needles were taken. The elemental contents in all samples were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry after microwave assisted acid digestion.
Compared to results for pines needles from lower altitudes, differences were mainly found in the contents of essential macro elements, but less regarding potentially toxic elements, such as Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb.