         ! "#! $ "!! $ "%$ &##! Stefan Trapp, Morten Larsen, Charlotte N. Legind, Joel Burken, Jiřina Macháčková and Ulrich Gosewinkel Karlson (addresses see backside) ’!( Measurement of vegetation samples is an alternative, cheap method to drilling for exploring sub*surface pollution. The objective of this manual is to transfer the experience gained within the EU project BIOTOOL into a concise guide for practical work. ") %!( Vegetation samples are taken and analyzed to find subsurface contamination. The occurrence of compounds like chlorinated solvents in vegetation is mapped. There is a relation, but not necessarily a linear cor* relation, between concen* trations of chemicals in vegetation samples and subsurface concentrations. Ele* vated concentrations of chemi* cals in vegetation usually indicate elevated soil* or groundwater concentration. The method may be used as an exploratory method, and it may also serve for monitoring of plume movement and natural attenuation. * +( Demonstration of the tree coring method by Morten Larsen. "#! ,) ! "%( The deepest rooting plants in Europe are !$% (up to 7 m). Conifers also have a broad sapwood zone and have leaves (i.e., they transpire) throughout the year. They are therefore best suited as indicator plants. In field tests, conifers showed the highest concentrations of chloroethenes in wood (compared to deciduous trees, such as poplar and birch). -% ! %%% are not good indicator plants (at least for volatile compounds) * low concentrations were found in foliage.