Applications of nuclear analytical techniques to environmental studies

A few examples of application of nuclear-analytical techniques to biological monitors - natives and transplants are given herein. Parmelia sulcata Taylor transplants were set up in a heavily industrialised area of Portugal - the Setubal peninsula, about 50 km south of Lisbon - where indigenous lichens are rare. The whole area was 10x15 km around an oilfired power station, and a 2.5x2.5 km grid was used. In north-western Portugal, native thalli of the same epiphytes (Parmelia spp., mostly Parmelia sulcata Taylor) and bark from olive trees (Olea europaea) were sampled across an area of 50x50 km, using a 10x10 km grid. This area is densely populated and features a blend of rural, urban-industrial and coastal environments, together with the country's second-largest metro area (Porto). All biomonitors have been analysed by INAA and PIXE. Results were put through nonparametric tests and factor analysis for trend significance and emission sources, respectively.