A multi-elemental study of plant surface particles in relation to geochemistry and biogeochemistry

Abstract Surface particulate material was collected in dry weather from the foliage of gorse bushes ( Ulex europaeus L.) at twenty background and mineralised sites in southwest England, together with soil and herbage samples. The foliar dusts were separated in the laboratory into four size fractions, and all the samples were analysed for sixteen elements by inductively coupled plasma (I.C.P.) emission spectrometry. Regression analysis of the data showed that the analytical values determined for foliar surface particles were correlated (P > 95%) in at least one particulate fraction with soil concentrations for the following elements: Cu, Pb, Mn, Zn, Al, Ca, Cr, Fe, Be, Sr, Ba, P and Cd. The multi-elemental data, supported by electron microprobe analysis and visual and microscopic examination of the particles, showed that plant material, as well as soil dust, contributed substantially to the chemistry of plant surface particles. Factors influencing the trace element chemistry of plant surfaces are discussed and should be appreciated if particle collection methods are to be applied as a routine geochemical/biogeochemical technique.