A new approach to experimental data evaluation from tree ring analysis

Summary A different approach is outlined for the correlation between the element values determined and the annual growth of tree rings in order to assess the total burden. Oxygen flask combustion and ion-chromatographic analysis has been applied to the determination of P, Cl and S in annual growth rings of Pinus pinea L. in Southern Sardinia (Italy). The high sensitivity of the method permits the analysis of individual growth rings using a minimum amount of material for the complete combustion. The preliminary investigation shows that a net increase of S, P and Cl over the last decade is evident both in concentration and in total quantity.