Air Pollution Biomarkers Research Articles

Evaluation the Urban Atmospheric Conditions Using Micronuclei Assay and Stomatal Index in Tradescantia pallida

Air pollution substantially damages ecosystems and public health and is one of the major challenges for air quality monitoring management. The use of the plant bioindicator Tradescantia pallida (Rose) D. R. Hunt has shown excellent results in terms of determining the effect of airborne contaminants in urban environments, complementing conventional methods. The present study seeks to determine the air quality in the Ivinhema Valley, MS, using the variation in MCN frequency and stomatal indices of T. pallida as air pollution biomarkers. The biomonitoring tests were performed monthly by collecting floral and leaf buds during the summer, autumn, winter, and spring of 2021 in Angélica, Ivinhema, and Nova Andradina. The stomatal leaf density, influence of vehicle flow, and environmental variables such as altitude, temperature (°C), relative humidity (RH), and rainfall in the three cities under study with different urban vehicle intensities were analyzed. A significant increase in MCN was observed for the cities of Nova Andradina and Ivinhema in summer and spring. On the other hand, the city of Angélica had a low frequency of MCN throughout the experimental period. A seasonal and spatial pattern was also observed for the stomatal index, with significantly higher values for the city of Angélica in autumn and winter. Our data allowed observing that the MCN showed the greatest association with vehicular flow. The mutagenic effects observed in T. pallida, through the MCN frequency, constituted an important biomarker of air pollution, explained mainly by the relationship with the flow of vehicles.

An Assessment Study of Usefulness of Using Olive (<i>Olea europaea</i> L.) Leaves in Biomonitoring the Air Pollution near Baniyas Oil Refinery, Syria: Estimating of Total Phenolic Compounds and Lead, Copper and Manganese in Olive Leaves

The aim of this study was to estimate the total amount of phenolic compounds of olive trees leaves (Olea europaea L.) as a biomarker for the assessment of heavy metals (HMs) air pollution (Pb, Cu and Mn) in Baniyas area. Olive trees were selected as the predominant species in the study area. Samples were collected from 6 locations at different distances from the vicinity of Baniyas refinery (0.1, 0.5, 2, 4, 6, 10) Km. The control was taken from an area about 20 km from the refinery to the north-east (Al-Qardaha rural). The concentration of total phenolic compounds (TPC) during the summer was (45.6 - 70.85) mg GAE/g dw, and during winter (35.6 - 52.9) mg GAE/g dw. The concentrations of the studied HMs (Pb, Cu and Mn) in unwashed leaves during summer were (0.879 - 2.170) ppm, (0.75 - 5.21) ppm and (54.38 - 8.78) ppm respectively, whilst during the winter concentrations were (0.479 - 1.023) ppm, (1.54 - 7.29) ppm and (53.79 - 7.58) ppm respectively. The results showed significant differences in the concentration of total phenolic compounds and HMs (Pb, Cu and Mn) between sites (ANOVA), significant differences in concentrations of both total phenols and HMs (Pb and Cu) between summer and winter at all sites (t-test, p < 0.05). TPC, Pb and Mn were higher in summer in all sites than in winter. Levels of Cu were significantly higher in winter than in summer at all sites (t-test, p < 0.05). The results showed a negative correlation (t-test, p < 0.05) between the concentration of total phenolic compounds and both Pb and Mn with the distance from the refinery of Baniyas. Consequently, the result of this study enhanced the usefulness of using of TPC in olive leaves as biomarker of air pollution.

Biochemical changes in plant leaves as a biomarker of pollution due to anthropogenic activity

The air pollution due to anthropogenic activities seriously affected human life, vegetation, and heritage as well. The vegetation cover in and around the city mitigates the air pollution by acting as a sink for pollution. An attempt was made to evaluate biochemical changes occurred in four selected plant species, namely Azadirachta indica, Mangifera indica, Delonix regia, and Cassia fistula of residential, commercial, and industrial areas of Nagpur city in India. It was observed that the correlated values of air pollutants and plant leaves characteristics alter foliar biochemical features (i.e., chlorophyll and ascorbic acid content, pH and relative water content) of plants due to air pollution. The changes in air pollution tolerance index of plants was also estimated which revealed that these plants can be used as a biomarker of air pollution.

Cytopathology of the Nasal Mucosa in Smokers: A Possible Biomarker of Air Pollution?

In our search for an easy, reliable, and inexpensive screening method to assess the toxic effects of air pollution and the attendant cancer risk on the respiratory tract, we investigated to what extent brush cytology of the nasal mucosa satisfies these demands. Using brush cytology, we examined the nasal mucosa of 60 cigarette smokers and compared the cytopathologic findings with those of 60 nonsmokers. All subjects were healthy male office workers with no nasal disorders. Mucosal cells were obtained from the maxillo-turbinal region with a small nylon brush, subsequently processed by Papanicolaou staining on a glass slide, and examined “blinded” by cytopathologists. The cytologic findings were normal in 46 of the nonsmokers, with simple squamous cell metaplasia detectable in the remaining 14 of this group. However, in the group of cigarette smokers, 52 showed unequivocal dysplasia of various degrees, whereas merely eight showed only metaplasia. Dividing the smokers into two groups based on pack/years of cigarette consumption revealed that the severity of dysplasia (mild or moderate) correlated well with the pack/years (P = 0.0001). As yet, no significant relation between smoking habits and the incidence of nasal sinus squamous cell carcinomas has been demonstrated in contrast to the established relationship between smoking and carcinomas of the larynx and lungs. Nevertheless, it is conceivable that cytopathologic changes in the nasal mucosa could act as a biomarker reflecting similar changes in the lower respiratory tract.