Comparison of Trace Element Deposition in Cupressus macrocarpa Leaves and Soils from a High-Pollution Area in the Puchuncaví Valley (Chile) Using a Biomonitoring Method

Located in the Puchuncaví Valley (PV) central Chile is one of most important and oldest industrial complexes (ICs) country. The PV affected by anthropogenic emissions from IC where industry a copper smelter refinery. In this context, study assessed profile, concentration, enrichment factors trace elements, both soil Cupressus macrocarpa leaves high-pollution-load area. leaf samples were taken five selected sites, located between 0.8 15 km away IC. A total 24 elements analyzed ICP-MS examined factor (EF), PCA source analysis. Leaf concentrations Ba, Ca, Cd, Cu, K, Sr showed statistically significant differences sampling sites (p-value < 0.05). soil, element Al, As, Cr, Li Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Ti analysis EFs detected three four factors, respectively, related mainly to complex’s refinery, coal-fired power plants, geogenic sources. According PCA, smelting that La Greda (LG, site closest IC) was significantly enriched Zn, Mo, while EF LG high Cu Pb.