APPLICATION OF RADIOANALYTICAL TECHNIQUES TO ENVIRONMENTAL-STUDIES - ELEMENTAL BIOACCUMULATORS IN AIR-POLLUTION STUDIES

k(0)-Based instrumental neutron activation analysis (k(0) INAA) was us ed to determine the concentrations of Cr, Fe, Co, Zn, Se, Sb and Hg in the vascular plants Cistus salvifolius and Inula viscosa and in the l ichen Parmelia sulcata. The samples were collected in the neighbourhoo d of industrial complexes. The elemental accumulation in the vascular plants and the lichen are compared to optimize the choice of the bioac cumulator. It is concluded that P. sulcata seams to be the best accumu lator of the three species for the elements studied; Cistus salvifoliu s is sensitive to the contents of Zn, Fe, Cr and Sb in the air; Inula viscosa seems to accumulate Fe, Sb, Co, Cr and Zn. Nevertheless, it is concluded that lichen is a good air pollution indicator, while the va scular plants an not due to the large seasonal variations found in the elemental concentrations.