Biomonitoring Of Air Pollution Research Articles

Bioindicating potential of strontium contamination with Spanish moss Tillandsia usneoides

Tillandsia species have been recognized as efficient biomonitors of air pollution, but rarely exploited in bioindicating of strontium, an important nuclide. We exposed Tillandsia usneoides, colloquially known as Spanish moss due to its filamentous morphology but is an atypical angiosperm in the family Bromeliaceae, to the solutions with different Sr concentrations (0.1–100 mmol/L). The results showed that plants were able to endure Sr stress for a relatively long period, which suggests that T. usneoides is able to resist this toxic element. T. usneoides had the highest uptake ratio of Sr (82.21 ± 0.12%) when the plants were exposed to 0.1 mmol/L Sr solutions. Sr contents in T. usneoides increased significantly with the increase in applied metal solution concentrations. Low Sr stimulated the formation of chlorophyll, but high Sr decreased the contents of chlorophyll, and no significant effect on the total biomass was found in T. usneoides. In contrast, the permeability of plasma membrane based on the relative electronic conductivity in T. usneoides increased significantly under Sr stress, indicating that Sr probably caused oxidative stress. Moreover, correlation analysis showed that the leaf relative conductivity was significantly positively correlated with Sr contents in the plants after Sr treatments. Therefore, T. usneoides has considerable potential for monitoring Sr polluted environments through measuring Sr contents in the plant directly or exploiting the leaf relative conductivity as an indirect biomarker.

Effects of the Glyphosate Application on the Physio-Biochemical Parameters of Xanthoria Parietina

The extended use of Glyphosate as herbicide in weed’s control can lead to the damage of the ecosystem. Ecological indicators can be used as early warning signals to assess the environmental problems. In order to evaluate the performance of the lichen as an air pollution bio monitoring, we investigated if treatment of the lichen Xanthoria parietina with Glyphosate causes bio physiological alterations. In this respect, the effect of various herbicide doses on the lichen’s bio physiology was tested in the laboratory during 7 days under controlled conditions. Samples of lichen, naturally grown, were collected from different forest’s sites and were treated at the recommended doses as well as with double doses. The findings have shown a clear reduction in the photosynthetic pigments. Of particular importance in this respect, are the pigments chlorophyll (a), (b), (a+b) and carotenoid. However, an increase in the total protein, sugar and proline products levels was observed. Finally this study shows that Xanthoria parietina is an appropriate organism for the bio monitoring of undesirable effects of the Glyphosate .

Multielement analysis of lichen samples using XRF methods. Comparison with ICP‐AES and FAAS

This research presents the contents of Ca, Fe, Zn, Br, Rb, Sr and Pb in lichen samples used as biomonitors of air pollution collected in Havana. Statistical comparisons were made among the results obtained in three campaigns during three years. Two X‐Ray Fluorescence (XRF) methods were used, employing for excitation an annular 109Cd source and a Mo X‐ray tube with a molybdenum secondary target. In both cases, matrix effects were corrected by the use of normalization for the Compton scattered peak; in this way the determination is more efficient. For quality control of the results, biological Certified Reference Materials were analyzed and were made comparisons between XRF, Inductively Coupled Plasma‐Atomic Emission Spectrometry and Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. No significant differences were found between the different techniques. The elemental distribution patterns obtained for each metal were associated with different pollution sources, thus contributing to the assessment of air pollution in Havana. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A Review on Air Pollution Monitoring and Management Using Plants With Special Reference to Foliar Dust Adsorption and Physiological Stress Responses

Air pollution has become a major environmental risk as far as public health is concerned. It has been proposed that reduction in levels of air pollution may result in lessening of the global burden of disease. Monitoring and management of air pollution has been carried out for a long time. However, the causes of air pollution and effects of air pollution on humans, animals, and plants are yet to be fully unraveled. Moreover, management of air pollution is facing challenges due to lack of availability of suitable tools and techniques. The latter half of the 19th century was dominated by research on the recognition and description of different pollutants and to some extent toward the search for tools and techniques to control and reduce air pollution. One of the major air pollutants is atmospheric particulate matter. Resuspended roadside dust is one of the sources of these particulate matters. Resuspended dust is composed of several elements from different sources. The elemental composition of these dust particulates varies with their size and the size sometimes is dependent on the sources. The atmospheric dust particles find their way onto the surfaces of leaves on the roadside either under gravity or via impaction due to wind. Assessment of the elemental distribution in dust adsorbed over leaves as well as in the leaf tissues makes plants as suitable biomonitor of air pollution. Moreover, physiological alterations in plants also can indicate the level of pollution in the respective areas. Hence plants can be used as biomonitors and bioindicators of air pollution. Dust interception capacities of plants can be exploited to use them as sinks for atmospheric particulate pollutants. Literatures available on these aspects are reviewed and the highlights are depicted in this review paper. This review report has five groups (i.e., reports) on worsening air quality around the world, studies on dust interception capacity of plants, physiological alterations in plants in response to dust load, elemental distribution in different environmental samples (ambient air, dust from plant canopies, roadside dust and plant tissues), and elemental and mineralogical profiling of urban dust particulates with respect to size distribution.

NIR spectroscopy as a tool for discriminating between lichens exposed to air pollution

Lichens are used as biomonitors of air pollution because they are extremely sensitive to the presence of substances that alter atmospheric composition. Fifty-one thalli of two different varieties of Pseudevernia furfuracea (var. furfuracea and var. ceratea) were collected far from local sources of air pollution. Twenty-six of these thalli were then exposed to the air for one month in the industrial port of Genoa, which has high levels of environmental pollution.The possibility of using Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) for generating a ‘fingerprint’ of lichens was investigated. Chemometric methods were successfully applied to discriminate between samples from polluted and non-polluted areas. In particular, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was applied as a multivariate display method on the NIR spectra to visualise the data structure. This showed that the difference between samples of different varieties was not significant in comparison to the difference between samples exposed to different levels of environmental pollution.Then Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) was carried out to discriminate between lichens based on their exposure to pollutants. The distinction between control samples (not exposed) and samples exposed to the air in the industrial port of Genoa was evaluated. On average, 95.2% of samples were correctly classified, 93.0% of total internal prediction (5 cross-validation groups) and 100.0% of external prediction (on the test set) was achieved.

Different heavy metals have various effects on Picea wilsonii pollen germination and tube growth

Heavy metal pollution has became one of the realistic matters of globality. Previous reports indicated that heavy metals could significantly inhibit pollen germination and tube growth. In the present study, comparative studies on the effects of different heavy metals (As, Hg, Cd, Cr and Cu) on in-vitro picea wilsonii pollen gernimation and tube growth were carried out. Microscopic evaluation revealed that different heavy metals had various degree of toxicity on P. wilsonii pollen tube development. As showed the most toxic effects on pollen germination, which was followed by Hg and Cd, while Cr and Cu showed relatively lower toxicity. Besides, pollentubes showed varying shapes in response to different heavy metal stress. Pollen tubes treated with Cd, Hg and As were usually characterized by irregularly increasing diameters and swelling tips with distinct cytoplasimic vacuolation. On the other hand, except for the slightly increased diameters, no obvious abnormal shape were observed in tubes treated with Cr or Cu. Lyso-Tracker Green staining indicated that only Cd-treated pollen tubes showed numerous vacuole-like acidic organelles, though cytoplasmic vacuolization were also observed in pollen tubes treated with Hg and A. In brief, our data indicated that different heavy metals have various effects on Picea wilsonii pollen germination and tube growth, and that in-vitro pollen culture might be used as a competent system for biomonitoring of air pollution.

Traffic-related air pollution biomonitoring with Tradescantia pallida (Rose) Hunt. cv. purpurea Boom in Brazil.

This study aimed to verify the capacity of Tradescantia pallida in the biomonitoring of air pollution in urban areas with different traffic intensities and under varying environmental conditions. Experiments were carried out in Ribeirão Preto, in the Southeastern Brazil, with more than 660,000 inhabitants and a fleet of more than 485,000 motor vehicles. Ten seedlings of T. pallida were exposed in three areas in the city, differing in traffic vehicle flow, in two seasons (wet and dry). At the end of each sampling period, which lasted 4 months, samples of leaves were collected, and the content of As, Ba, Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mg, Mn, P, Pb, S, and Zn was determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS). The same elements were determined in soil samples for a seasonal characterization in conjunction with secondary data of environmental parameters. Additionally, micronucleus assay with early pollen tetrad cells of Tradescantia (Trad-MN) was conducted by collecting flower buds and analyzing the micronuclei frequencies in pollen mother cells. Although pollutant levels in air were below the Brazilian legal limits, plants exposed in the high-traffic flow area presented higher concentrations of elements related to vehicle emissions, especially under dry conditions, and higher micronuclei frequency in pollen mother cells. These results show the sensitivity of T. pallida to low-level urban air pollution and its suitability as bioindicator for trace elements. This alternative tool for biomonitoring can serve as a support methodology for the adoption of more restrictive public environmental policies in Brazil and extendible to other developing countries.

Lichens as suitable indicators of the biological effects of atmospheric pollutants around a municipal solid waste incinerator (S Italy)

A comprehensive biomonitoring programme should integrate several methods distributed along the biomonitoring chain, allowing to detect exposure, threads and impacts. In the case of a municipal solid waste incinerator (MSWI), biomonitoring of air pollution can contribute to source attribution, detection of ongoing processes and assessment of environmental effects. Three different methods were used to assess the biological effects of air pollution around a MSWI using lichens as biomonitors: (1) lichen diversity; (2) bioaccumulation of trace elements; and (3) physiological status (photosynthetic efficiency, cell membrane damage, viability). The first method takes into account the native lichen flora, while the other two were applied to thalli of the lichen Evernia prunastri transplanted for 6 months in the study area. Lichen diversity and physiological parameters reflected the effects of air pollution around the incinerator and the surrounding industrial area. High frequencies of non-nitrophilous species corresponded to sites with higher environmental quality, while high frequencies of nitrophilous species corresponded to sites with higher level of eutrophication. Transplanted samples showed increased cell membrane damage and reduced vitality respect to control samples. Bioaccumulation of trace elements pointed at the atmospheric origin of Hg depositions in the area. These results suggest that an integrated use of lichen-based methods along the biomonitoring chain can provide useful biological outputs for decision-makers to establish correct sustainable waste management policies.

Assessment of the Potential of Honeybees (<i>Apis mellifera</i> L.) in Biomonitoring of Air Pollution by Cadmium, Lead and Vanadium

The aim of our study was to explore whether honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) could be used as a reliable alternative to the standard mechanical devices for monitoring of air quality, in particular with respect to the concentration of the heavy metals cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and vanadium (V). We therefore tested whether the concentrations of these metals in adult honeybees and in ambient air were positively correlated, and whether differences in concentration between locations were similar for bees and air. On the basis of our measurements, conducted over a two-month period at three distinct locations in the Netherlands with each three replicate honeybee colonies placed next to mechanical monitoring devices, we concluded that a significant positive relationship between the concentrations in bees and in air could only be established for V. Also, only in the case of V, the differences between the three locations in mean concentration were similar for bees and air. Both outcomes were probably due to the relatively large range over which the concentrations of V varied, both in bees and in air, as compared to Cd and Pb. However, for V, as well as for Cd and Pb, the concentrations in ambient air were about two orders of magnitude below the established air quality standards. We therefore conclude that in the Netherlands, both variation and levels of the atmospheric concentrations of these metals are too low to establish a relationship between the concentration in bees and in air that is useful to present honeybees as an alternative to mechanical devices in monitoring of air pollution. However, in countries with larger variation and higher levels of the atmospheric concentrations of these metals, further exploration of the potential of honeybees in biomonitoring of air pollution may be worthwhile.

Characterization of Tibouchina granulosa (Desr.) Cong. (Melastomataceae) as a biomonitor of air pollution and quantification of particulate matter adsorbed by leaves

The main anatomical features of Tibouchina granulosa (Desr.) Cong. (Melastomataceae) have been investigated in order to assess the potential of the species as a possible biomonitor of air pollution in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Various types of trichomes located on the adaxial and abaxial surfaces of the leaves of this ornamental tree were able to adsorb particulate matter (PM) within the size range 2.5–100μm. Following dry or wet deposition, the particles remained adsorbed to the leaves and did not return to the environment under normal weather conditions. The numbers of particles adsorbed per unit area of leaf differed significantly depending on the location at which the samples were collected. Leaves from a relatively unpolluted site located in a remnant of the Atlantic Forest within the city of São Paulo showed the lowest particle density, while samples collected in the city centers of São Paulo and Cubatão presented the highest numbers of particles with aerodynamic sizes <2.5 and 2.5–10μm. It is concluded that T. granulosa may be employed as a passive biomonitor, thereby offering a valuable alternative for monitoring air pollution and spatial–temporal evaluation of PM composition. Additionally, landscape cultivation of T. granulosa in inner-city areas may help to improve the quality of air by reducing the concentration of harmful PM2.5 and PM10.

A Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) Approach to Characterize Perceived Air Pollution “Hot Spots” Using Tree Leaves as Biomonitors

Background: Disproportionate exposure to air pollution leads to environmental justice concerns in urban communities. Existing regulatory monitoring networks do not sufficiently identify variability in intra-urban neighborhood pollution. Community-based participatory research (CBPR) engages community expertise to generate knowledge and examine disparities in environmental exposures. Deciduous tree leaves may prove to be valid biomonitors of air pollution, and such low-cost media are a promising means to engage citizens in monitoring efforts. Aims: We partnered with two youth-focused community organizations to (1) characterize perceived “hot spots,”(2) validate a method of obtaining spatially-resolved air pollution measurements using leaves as biomonitors of outdoor air pollution, and (3) develop a community-driven collaborative plan to improve local air quality. Methods: Perceived “hot spots” were identified based on feedback from community organizations in Braddock and Clairton, PA, areas of social and economic distress located near large industrial facilities. We located candidate Norway maple trees and, together with youth participants, collected leaf samples. Using magnetic and chemical techniques, leaf samples were analyzed for metal constituents of particulate matter. Results: Community participants collected leaf samples, learned analytic methods, and presented results of laboratory analysis at two community meetings. Attendees were educated by youth presenters on health effects of air pollution, relevance of magnetic and chemical results, and provided suggestions for reducing air pollution exposures. Conclusions: Our efforts to utilize knowledge unique to each community contributed to identification of perceived air pollution “hot spots” and to the confidence and engagement of stakeholders in each community. Steps are ongoing to communicate results to local health officials and to increase youth engagement in local air quality improvement efforts.

Moss biomonitoring of air pollution with chromium in Croatia

The purpose of this study was to determine the atmospheric deposition of chromium in Croatia by using moss biomonitoring technique and atomic emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma (ICP-AES). Moss samples (Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum cupressiforme, Brachythecium rutabulum and Homalothecium Sericeum) were collected from 121 sampling sites evenly distributed over the country, during the summer and autumn of 2010. Collected samples were air dried, then cleaned and digested by using microwave digestion system. The median value obtained in this study (1.94 mg kg−1) compared with the median value of previous investigation performed in 2006 (2.75 mg kg−1) shows that the content of chromium decreased. Higher contents of chromium were found in moss samples collected in the regions of Central Croatia, in/near the cities of Zagreb, Sisak and Kutina, which, in the most of the cases, are result of anthropogenic activities. In Costal Croatia, higher values have a natural origin due to the significantly higher content of Cr in soil from this region. The results were compared with those from similar studies in neighboring and other Balkan countries. It was established that the content of chromium in Croatia is lower than in the most of these countries.

Air pollution tolerance indices of plants growing around Umuebulu Gas Flare Station in Rivers State, Nigeria

The air pollution tolerance indices of 10 plants growing around the vicinity of Umuebulu Gas flare Station in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria were analyzed. Plant samples were randomly collected from the vicinity of the gas station. A composite sample of eight leaves for each plant was used for laboratory analysis. Four physiological and biochemical parameters: leaf relative water content (RWC), ascorbic acid content (AAC), total leaf chlorophyll (TLC) and pH of leaf extract were used to compute the Air pollution tolerance indices (APTI). Results showed order of tolerance as Psidium guajava (0.10%) > Puerenia phaseoloides (0.36%) > Mallotus oppositifolus (3.23%) > Musa paradisiaca (6.80%) > Telfairia occidentalis (7.01%) > Cymbopogon citratus (9.18%) > Talinum triangulare (9.36%) > Vernonia amygdalina (12.34%) > Manihot esculenta (14.61%) > Ocimum gratissimum (36.53%); showing Psidium guajava as the most tolerant species while Ocimum gratissimum as the most sensitive species to air pollution stress. Therefore, plants with high and low APTI can serve as tolerant and sensitive species for air pollution biomonitor, respectively. Key words : Air pollution, relative water content, chlorophyll content, ascorbic acid, pH, tolerance, sensitivity.

Air pollution tolerance indices of plants growing around Umuebulu Gas Flare Station in Rivers State, Nigeria

The air pollution tolerance indices of 10 plants growing around the vicinity of Umuebulu Gas flare Station in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria were analyzed. Plant samples were randomly collected from the vicinity of the gas station. A composite sample of eight leaves for each plant was used for laboratory analysis. Four physiological and biochemical parameters: leaf relative water content (RWC), ascorbic acid content (AAC), total leaf chlorophyll (TLC) and pH of leaf extract were used to compute the Air pollution tolerance indices (APTI). Results showed order of tolerance as Psidium guajava (0.10%) > Puerenia phaseoloides (0.36%) > Mallotus oppositifolus (3.23%) > Musa paradisiaca (6.80%) > Telfairia occidentalis (7.01%) > Cymbopogon citratus (9.18%) > Talinum triangulare (9.36%) > Vernonia amygdalina (12.34%) > Manihot esculenta (14.61%) > Ocimum gratissimum (36.53%); showing Psidium guajava as the most tolerant species while Ocimum gratissimum as the most sensitive species to air pollution stress. Therefore, plants with high and low APTI can serve as tolerant and sensitive species for air pollution biomonitor, respectively. Key words: Air pollution, relative water content, chlorophyll content, ascorbic acid, pH, tolerance, sensitivity

Assessment of Airborne Heavy Metal Pollution Using Pinus spp. and Tilia spp.

The influences of airborne pollution originating from the Mining–Metallurgical Complex Bor (Serbia) on the concentrations of Cu, Pb, Zn and Mn in the samples of Tilia spp. and Pinus spp. were examined. The roots, branches, leaves/needles and soil were sampled in urban-industrial, rural and background zone at different distances from the copper smelter and at prevailing wind directions. According to the results of the enrichment factors, branches were the plant parts most enriched with Cu and Pb. The results of cluster analysis indicate that the most endangered zone in Bor is urban-industrial (at sites 0.5 km and 1 km away from the copper smelter). Aerial parts of both plant species can be used for biomonitoring of air pollution, although pine needles showed a higher level of response to pollution. According to the bioconcentration factor, translocation factor and translocation index, high concentrations of Cu and Pb in aerial parts of pine and linden are mostly a consequence of airborne pollution.

Plant canopies: bio-monitor and trap for re-suspended dust particulates contaminated with heavy metals

Urban and peri-urban vegetation is being considered for air pollution abatement. Appropriate plants with efficiency to adsorb and absorb air-pollutants are the prerequisite for green space development. The contributions of surface morphology towards plant’s ability to function as dust particulate adsorber and distribution of trace elements over the leaves are investigated in the present study. Dust interception efficiency was estimated for two roadside plant species named Ficus benghalensis, and Polyalthia longifolia. Leaves of both the plants are capable of capturing dust in the range of 0.12 mg/cm2 to 1.89 mg/cm2 on either of the leaf surfaces. However, variation in dust capturing capacity between the plants was observed. Leaf surface characters such as roughness, length, frequency of trichomes and frequency of stomata played a significant role in capturing re-suspended dust. Frequency (2 to 4 per 0.0004 cm2) and length (152.5 to 92.1 cm) of trichome showed negative co-relation trend, where as frequency and size of stomata showed positive co-relation trend. Elemental analysis by Scanning Electron Microscope attached with Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectrometer (SEMEDS) indicated the presence of elements such as Sodium (Na), Magnesium (Mg), Aluminium (Al), Silicon (Si), Chlorine (Cl), Pottasium (K), Calcium (Ca), Iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn) and Arsenic (As). The results support the fact that plant canopies can be used for mitigation and bio-monitoring of air pollution as well.

Potential of monitoring nuclides with the epiphyte Tillandsia usneoides: Uptake and localization of 133Cs

Epiphytic Tillandsia plants are efficient air pollution biomonitors and traditionally used to monitor atmospheric heavy metal pollution, but rarely nuclides monitoring. Here we evaluated the potential of Tillandsia usneoides for monitoring 133Cs and investigated if Cs was trapped by the plant external surface structures. The results showed that T. usneoides was able to survive relatively high Cs stress. With the increase of Cs solution concentration, the total of Cs in plants increased significantly, which suggests that the plants could accumulate Cs quickly and effectively. Therefore, T. usneoides has considerable potential for monitoring Cs polluted environments. In addition, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) analysis showed that Cs was detected in each type of cells in foliar trichomes, and the ratio of Cs in the internal disc cell was higher than that in ring cell and wing cell, which indicates that the mechanism of adsorption Cs in Tillandsia has an active component.

Biomonitors of urban air pollution: Magnetic studies and SEM observations of corticolous foliose and microfoliose lichens and their suitability for magnetic monitoring

This study explored the suitability of available lichen species as air pollution biomonitors and assessed their potential for magnetic monitoring in cities. Several lichens on tree bark were collected in urban and industrial sites from Tandil city, as well as control sites. The results showed that magnetite-like minerals were the main magnetic carriers in all sites and samples. However, the concentration varied between clean and polluted sites. In addition, magnetic-grain size-distribution showed clear differences between sites. Observations by scanning electron microscopy showed different particles in a variety of shapes and grain sizes; moreover, the presence of iron oxides and several toxic elements was detected by energy dispersive spectroscopy analysis. Although eleven lichen species were identified that appeared suitable for use as air-pollution monitors, three of them, Parmotrema pilosum, Punctelia hipoleucites and Dirinaria picta, occurred more frequently in the area, thus constituting appropriate species for future monitoring in the study area.

Biomonitoring of particulate matter by magnetic properties of Ulmus carpinifolia leaves

Biomonitoring of the particulate matter (PM) helps us to find out quantity and quality of vegetation in different parts of the city and create sustainable urban landscape. This study explains the results of an air pollution biomonitoring in Isfahan (Iran) with regards to the magnetic properties of tree leaves of Elm ( Ulmus carpinifolia ). Isothermal remanent magnetization (IRM 300 mT) of U. carpinifolia leaves was determined. Data collection apparatus was a magnetometer. Four stations in different areas of green space, including, one park, one square, one street and one control station were determined and the tree leaves of U. carpinifolia from two meter height were collected. Ten leaves from each tree were separated and ten repetitions were achieved for each station. Leaves were placed in a special box to measure magnetic field with magnetometer. Comparison of magnetic properties of Elm tree leaves before and after washing was done. Magnetic properties showed that high concentrations were seen in trees found in squares and streets. Also, rainfall and washing decreased the magnetic properties of the leaves. Keywords: Particulate matter, green area, magnetic properties, biomonitoring

Response of air-pollution biomonitors under three different meteorological conditions

Samples of Flavoparmelia caperata (L.) Hale thalli, from a clean area in northern Portugal (Baiao), were transplanted into exposure locations at the western Atlantic coast (north, center and south) impacted by urban-industrial emissions and meteorologically different, for a ten-month long experiment split into five terms of assessment (two months each). Through the experiment, the sites were also monitored for atmospheric bulk deposition. Analytical techniques for determinations in lichens and bulk deposition were instrumental neutron activation analysis, atomic absorption spectrophotometry and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The results indicate that: (1) the biological signals of detached lichens are compatible with sources in the area; (2) there is an appreciable number of airborne elements significantly enriched in (exposed) lichen samples, including some of great environmental interest; and (3) the cumulative contents per unit area of detached-lichen material are likely to provide an acceptable estimate of the atmospheric availability of enriched elements, as measured by their cumulative contents in the dry residues of bulk deposition.