Exploring time-series of selected air pollution elements in Castelporziano, Rome: the impact on soil and forest ecosystem

The present study assesses time-series dataderived from a 3-year monitoring campaign of heavymetals in atmospheric wet and dry depositions in a coastal forest ecosystem in central Italy. Monitoring atmosphericdeposition is a key issue when evaluating the impact ofanthropogenic sources, and their absolute and potentialtoxicities to humans and other living organisms. Information from a permanent assessment of heavy metals istherefore crucial for the evaluation of environmentalquality. Time trends in heavy metal atmospheric concentrations in Castelporziano forest (Rome), a naturalecosystem in central Italy, are considered a reliable indicator reflecting differences in spatial and temporal distribution of pollution sources. Preliminary analysis ofatmospheric depositions in various sites of the foresthighlights the influence of anthropogenic factors and oftransport processes in both the short- and long-range distances. Further studies are recommended to investigate therelation between atmospheric deposition, meteorologicalvariables, and runoff tree water. The use of other heavy metal indicators from specific sources of pollution, such asarsenic, is also discussed.