Fluorides effects on Hypericum perforatum plants:: first field observations

Because of dramatic increases in agricultural and industrial activities social and physical environmental degradation can be found in many areas and the assessments of their effects on the environment have been strongly debated. This work deals with experimental research in which an attempt has been made to extrapolate from laboratory studies, described in a previous paper, to apply findings to the field. It regards a gaseous fluoride, probably emitted at a below-threshold level in an important ceramics district Situated in the Po plain near Mantua, Italy, and its effects on Hypericum perforatum plants. The plants' growth parameters and some biochemical features are recorded over a 4-month exposure period during 2 consecutive years in sites located at increasing distances from the industrial complexes. The results seem to emphasise the use of H. perforatum as a potential early bioindicator of F emissions in the field. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.