Abstract
The present research focuses on the use of Chlorophytum comosum as a bio-indicator able to accumulate, through its leaves, heavy metals present in the aerosol particulate matter (PM) in the city of Milan (Italy). For this purpose, some specimens were exposed in selected sites at the Milan University Campus for increasing periods (7, 30, 60, 128 and 165 days). The collected leaves were then analyzed to quantify Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn concentrations by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP–OES). The leaves’ surfaces were also examined by scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersion spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). Chlorophytum comosum has proved to be a good system for studying the accumulation of heavy metals. The metals present with the higher concentration were Zn and Mn followed by Cd and Cr while Co, Ni and Pb were present in lower concentration. Although the sites investigated are not very far from each other, differences in the concentration of the heavy metals analyzed were found. Furthermore, in the monitoring period considered (July 2018–December 2018) the plant was a good proxy for tracking the concentration of zinc in Milan’s PM.
Highlights
The problem of monitoring air pollution, and in particular aerosol particulate matter (PM), is a priority, and pollutants concentrations are regulated at both international and national level (Directive 2008/50/EC).In Europe, air pollutants emissions have been recently reduced, leading to an improvement of the air quality
PM represents a threat to human health because of its particle size and ability to penetrate into the respiratory and circulatory systems, and because of its chemical composition
PM is collected on filters subsequently analyzed to assess the main chemical constituents to acquire information on both toxic substances, including heavy metals and emission sources [1,2,3,4,5]
Summary
In Europe, air pollutants emissions have been recently reduced, leading to an improvement of the air quality. Many heavy metals play a key role because of their high toxicity. The instruments are located in the monitoring stations placed in different areas of interest in order to investigate both sites characterized by high pollution and representative of the urban background. At these stations, PM is collected on filters subsequently analyzed to assess the main chemical constituents to acquire information on both toxic substances, including heavy metals and emission sources [1,2,3,4,5]
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