Tracing the history of environmental pollution using a dendrochemical approach : the case of Chekka, Lebanon

Abstract

This study attempts to reconstruct the profile of heavy metal pollution in the town of Chekka, North Lebanon, using a dendrochemical approach. Heavy metals are among the markers of environmental pollution caused by heavy industries. Utilizing tree ring chemical analysis of Pinus pinea, this research draws the historical heavy metal contamination, providing a comprehensive timeline of environmental changes over the past century. Samples were collected from Bechmizzine, Upper-Chekka, and Lower-Chekka, with heavy metal concentrations analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry. The results reveal a significant increase in heavy metal concentrations, including chromium, beryllium, vanadium, aluminum, magnesium, rubidium, cobalt, nickel, barium, arsenic, strontium, potassium, mercury, iron, cadmium, zinc, manganese, copper, silver, and lead-207. The study highlights that Bechmizzine, despite its distance from industrial sources, exhibits the highest levels of contamination due to its topographical and microclimatic conditions, which facilitate the accumulation of particulate matter. The work explores the contributions of various anthropogenic activities, including cement manufacturing, urbanization, and transportation, to the observed pollution trends. The findings emphasize the long-term environmental impact of the cement industry and other industrial activities, alongside vehicular emissions, on regional air quality. Additionally, the study underscores the importance of historical context in understanding current pollution levels and the need for stringent environmental policies to mitigate further contamination. This research provides critical insights into the historical and ongoing environmental challenges in Chekka, offering a valuable reference for policymakers and researchers aiming to address air and soil pollution in similar industrial regions.