Bioindicators Of Air Pollution Research Articles

Reductions in tree-ring widths of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) as an indicator of air pollution in southern Poland

Abstract The aim of the study was to investigate how the emission of pollutants to the atmosphere from the late 19th century until modern times has been recorded in rings of silver fir trees growing in southern Poland. Samples were collected from 24 firs growing in the Beskid Niski Mountains (Western Carpathians). Using a Pressler borer, a single core was collected from each tree. Within the samples, tree-ring widths were measured. On this basis, reductions of tree-ring widths were calculated and subsequently divided into three classes according to their severity. Study results indicate that growth reductions at the site studied were influenced by the pollution emitted from the now-defunct Central Industrial Region, which developed most rapidly from 1920 to 1940, and began to decline after World War II. These emissions were probably responsible for reductions in the trees sampled in the years 1928–1947. On the other hand, reductions of tree-ring widths dating from 1951 to 1989 were caused by the post-war development of heavy industry throughout Poland, and in particular in the Upper Silesian Industrial Region, which developed at its most rapid rate from 1960 to 1990. The results obtained demonstrate that reductions of tree-ring widths in the silver firs studied are related to industrial air pollution in the 20th century. As industrial production declined and environmentally friendly technologies were introduced in the early 1990s, air pollution levels decreased and an increase in tree-ring widths followed in the silver firs studied. Further reductions of tree-ring widths have been observed in recent years (since 2009), which may be caused by air pollution due to low-stack emissions from domestic boilers. The analysis conducted demonstrates that a reduction in tree-ring widths in silver fir is a sensitive bioindicator of air pollution.

Use Citrus aurantium plant as bio-indicator of air pollution in Baghdad city

The current study was conducted to demonstrate the effects of air pollution on different biochemical parameters in Citrus aurantium plant and calculation the Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI). Five sites were selected to collect plant leaves, four of them within the city of Baghdad, namely Al-Jadriya, Al-Andlous, Al-Doura and close to the private generators to represent the urban areas and Abu Ghraib site to represent the rural area. Seasonal samples were collected for the period from October 2016 to June 2017. Eleven biochemical parameters total chlorophyll, ascorbic acid, leaf extract pH, relative water content, total nitrogen, total protein content, total sugar content, proline, electrical conductivity, cadmium and lead. The results of Citrus plant showed high chlorophyll concentration and ascorbic acid content in private generator site reached to (10.620 mg/g and 0.403 mg/g) respectively. While relative water content recorded high concentration (57.563 %) at Al-Jadriya site. pH recorded high value (6.358) at Al-Doura site. In addition, values of APTI of the Citrus plant were calculated to determine the sensitivity of the plant to air pollution. Highest value of APTI (6.23) was recorded at Al-Jadriya site, while lowest value of APTI (5.03) was recorded at Al-Andlous site. The results of present study revealed that Citrus aurantium is sensitive to air pollution and can be used as bio-indicator under pollution stress.

Parmelia sulcataas a Bioindicator of Air Pollution in Newfoundland, Canada

The global increase in air pollution has a number of consequences including damage to our environment and health. Bioindicators are living organisms which reveal certain qualities of our environment with their absence or presence. This is useful in identifying polluted areas in order to manage pollution levels. Parmelia sulcata is said to be a pollution-tolerant lichen and consequently a bioindicator. We wished to test P. sulcata's ability as a bioindicator, indicating poor air quality with its presence. We used randomized quadrat sampling of 80 trees over four municipalities on the Avalon Peninsula of Newfoundland, Canada with increasing human populations as a proxy for pollution. Results suggest that P. sulcata is not an ideal bioindicator of high pollution. It was absent or diseased in areas of highest pollution and present in areas of low-medium pollution levels. We recommend further studies evaluate P. sulcata's potential as a bioindicator of low-medium air pollution.

Spider webs in monitoring of air pollution

Biomonitoring is a significant tool of environmental protection strategies. Variety of bioindicators are used worldwide, particularly mosses, lichens and tree leaves. However, they revile many considerable disadvantages, e.g. limitation to vegetative season, moisture demand, exposition to severe weather conditions, limited time of monitoring. Classical impactors, on the other hand, are expensive, cannot be used without supervision and allow only for short-term monitoring. Spider webs, however, reveal features of extraordinary bioindicators. Webs are abundant, easy to collect, costless and can be found all year round, despite vegetative season. Spider silk is a very efficient, non-selective accumulator of contaminants, that allows for long-term monitoring. Thanks to this characteristics, spider webs proved to be immensely useful bioindicators of air pollution. They allow for monitoring of heavy metals, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), dioxins, so as assessment of mutagenic activity and anthropopression assessment and indication of dominant source of pollutants. Most of the researches concerning application of spider webs as bioindicators have been conducted in Wrocław, Poland. This paper reviews current knowledge on spider webs in monitoring of air pollution.

USING BIRCH LEAVES TO INDICATE AIR POLLUTION

The present study investigated the utility of Betula pubescens L. leaves as a bioindicator of air pollution within an industrial Russian city. The study focused on the effects of air pollution on fluctuating asymmetry (FA) of leaves. B. pubescens L. leaves (n=3800) were sampled from 190 trees growing at 38 different sites in Chelyabinsk. The relationship between the data was determined using Pearson’s test with a significance level of 0.05. Correlations were observed between the integral index of fluctuating asymmetry (IIFA) and air pollutants such as suspended solids (P=0.527), nitrogen dioxide (P=0.313), sulfur dioxide (P=0.355), inorganic dust SiO2 (P=0.790), and the air pollution index (P=0.607). The correlation was the highest for inorganic dust since dust clogs the stomata on the leaves of plants, affecting their photosynthesis and respiration. B. pubescens L. could be considered as a bioindicator of air pollution of Chelyabinsk, Russia.

Determination of airborne trace elements in an urban area using lichens as biomonitor.

The amounts of elements emitted from industrial, domestic, and vehicle sources in Düzce through the analyses of lichens, which are bioindicators of air pollution, were determined in this research. Concentrations of Al, Fe, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, V, Cd, Hg, and Pb in the lichens that were collected from 40 different points were analyzed using an inductively coupled plasma (ICP-MS) device. The highest concentration values were detected for Fe and Al, while the lowest concentration values were detected for Cd and Hg. Distribution maps of elements were created using geographic information systems. The distribution maps showed how the concentrations of elements for Düzce have changed across the city. According to our results, the elements sourced from traffic and combustion, such as Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, As, and V, have the highest concentrations in the city center near the traffic.

Tree bark as a bioindicator of air pollution in the city of Stassfurt, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany

Tree bark was used as a biomonitor to evaluate past atmospheric contamination in and around Stassfurt in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. Forty-three outer and inner bark samples, predominantly oak (Quercus), were collected. For comparison purposes, bark of the same tree species was collected in reference areas in Saxony-Anhalt and nationwide in Germany. Concentrations of 53 chemical elements, Pb isotope ratios, as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDF) are reported. Based on the air quality index (AQIB), the outer tree bark concentrations of Ca, Al, Sr, Ti, S, W, Na, Cu, U, Zr and Rb indicate very high atmospheric ‘contaminant loads’11‘Contaminant load’ is used in a very general sense, and includes, in this case, the concentrations, apart from known contaminant elements (e.g., As, Cd, Hg, Pb), and those of essential elements (e.g., Fe, K, Mg, N). in both the urban and surrounding areas. A high ‘contaminant load’ was determined for P, Th, Fe, Be, Ba, Li, Mg, Cs, Mo, Ga, Sn, Ni, As, Ge, Nb, Ag, Zn, Se, N and Co. The Pb, V, Hg, Cd and Mn concentrations correspond to an average ‘contaminant load’ for the city area, whereas concentrations of Pb, Hg and Cd in the surrounding area correspond to a high ‘contaminant load’. The PCDD and PCDF loads are average to high throughout the study area, while the PAH loads are higher in the city than in the surrounding area. Data for the Pb isotope composition show that the Stassfurt sites have ratios that differ from the German mean, and are typical for Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt regions.To assess the atmospheric ‘contaminant load’ of the different sites in the city, an air quality index (AQIB) was calculated from the outer bark data and plotted on a map of the city. The mean atmospheric ‘contaminant load’ of Stassfurt is above the mean ‘contaminant load’ of the comparison sites in all parts of Germany. A bioaccumulation index (BAIB) for the inner bark was also calculated and plotted on a colour map. The bioaccumulation in inner bark indicates a plant availability of contaminants in the environment and their uptake by the tree. Comparison of the distribution patterns of the air quality index with the bioaccumulation index confirms the influence of the different contaminant sources in the study area.

Air pollution tolerance index of plants around brick kilns in Rawalpindi, Pakistan

In any contaminated environment, the sensitive plant species can serve as bio-indicator of air pollution while tolerant plant species can act as a sink for air pollutants. Air pollution tolerance index (APTI) is an important tool to screen out plants based on their tolerance or sensitivity level to different air pollutants. The present study was aimed to identify the sensitive and tolerant plant species in the vicinity of brick kilns in the Rawalpindi city. To determine the susceptibility level of the selected plant species, four biochemical parameters, ascorbic acid, total chlorophyll content, relative water content and pH of leaf extract, were assessed and APTI was calculated. Plant sampling was carried out with increasing distance of 100, 300 and 500 m around three brick kiln sites and APTI values were calculated by following the standard methods. The results of the study revealed that among nine studied plant species, Calotropis procera (APTI = 20.05) and Althernanthera pungens (APTI = 17.13) were found to be the most tolerant species, whereas Malva neglecta (APTI = 8.83) was found to be the most sensitive species. Inconsistent trend of variations was seen in the APTI values at each site. The present study suggested that the most tolerant species, C. procera and A. pungens, could be grown in the vicinity of such pollution sources as a remedial measure of brick kiln pollution.

Urban air pollution control: selection of trees for ecological monitoring using anticipated performance indices in a medium-size urban area in Southwest Nigeria

The study assessed the biochemical parameters, sensitivity and tolerance levels to air pollution of the leaves of selected tree species along major roads in Ile-Ife in order to determine the tree species that will be most suitable in developing greenbelts along roadsides. The air pollution tolerance index (APTI) ranged from 8.5 to 13.9 for the entire tree species studied with Gmelina arborea, Polyalthia longifolia, Mangifera indica, Terminalia catappa and Tectona grandis having the highest during the wet season, and Polyalthia longifolia with the APTI in the dry season. Newbouldia laevis, Spondias mombin, Gliricidia sepium, Senna siamea, Psidium guajava and Anacardium occidentale, Albizia zygia were classified as tree species sensitive to air pollution during both dry and wet seasons. With reference to the API grading, Mangifera indica, Tectona grandis, Gmelina arborea with percentage grading of 62.5% were classified as 'good' greenbelt performers. Anacardium occidentale, Terminalia catappa, Spondias mombin, Newbouldia laevis, Senna siamea, Polyalthia longifolia with percentage grading of 56.25%, each, were classified as 'moderate' performers while Gliricidia sepium (50%), Psidium guajava (50%) and Albizia zygia (43.75%) were classified as 'poor' performers for bio-indicators of air pollution. The study concluded that Gmelina arborea, Tectona grandis and Mangifera indica were good biomonitors for greenbelt development.

Lichens as indicators of air pollution in Łomża

Research using lichens as bioindicators of air pollution has been conducted in the city of Łomza. The presence of indicator species of epiphytic and epilithic lichens has been analysed. A 4-point lichen scale has been developed for the test area, on the basis of which four lichenoindication zones have been deter- mined. The least favourable conditions for lichen growth have been recorded in the city center. Green areas and open spaces are the areas with the most favourable impact of the urban environment on lichen biota.

Bioindication of air pollution by the reaction of pollen grains Тaraxacum officinale F. H. Wigg (on example of the Kryvyi Rig)

Influence of various level of pollution of Kryvyi Rig on pollen viability of Taraxacum officinale Wigg seeds was studied. Gametocidal influence of pollution is shown in gradual increase to 50 % of impractical pollen at the high level of pollution and increase more than twice of amount of the sterile grains induced by this factor. Also depending on the level of pollution the amount of morphologically changed pollen increases and at high level is noted the formation of a lentiform abnormal form

Epiphytic lichens as bioindicators of air pollution by heavy metals in an urban area (northern Poland)

Epiphytic lichens as bioindicators of air pollution by heavy metals in an urban area (northern Poland)

Urban Tree Leaf as Bio-indicator for Air Pollution around Superphosphate Fertilizers Plant, Upper Egypt

Urban Tree Leaf as Bio-indicator for Air Pollution around Superphosphate Fertilizers Plant, Upper Egypt

Element analysis of two common macrolichens supports bioindication of air pollution and lichen response in rural midwestern U.S.A

Abstract Element analysis was conducted on naturally-growing Flavoparmelia caperata (L.) Hale and Punctelia rudecta (Ach.) Krog (26 sites) in 2003–05 for a 30-year resurvey of forest lichen communities near a power plant in Wisconsin. Cu, Cr, N, and S increased strongly with power plant impact (66 samples, both species) and are good candidate bioindicators for local pollution; Al and Fe increased weakly and are not recommended. Hg is a candidate pollution indicator from comparison with a background site (only F. caperata data: 39 samples, 23 sites). Only N and S were correlated with lichen species abundance and are thus candidate bioindicators for lichen response. Abundance of P. rudecta was lower and that of Phaeophyscia pusilloides (Zahlbr.) Essl. was higher with more N or S in lichens; abundances of F. caperata and large foliose species as a group were lower with higher modeled SO2 from the power plant (no response from four other tested lichen species or groups). Sites in more forested landscapes to t...

Evaluation of levels of plumbic pollution near Highway using phanerogamic and cryptogamic species in the city of Annaba (Algeria)

Nowadays, a serious problem emerged in the natural environments of many countries: they are increasingly subjected to a large number of air pollution: industrial pollution, pollution related to agriculture, but also pollution related to transport. The pollution of lead has constantly evolved over time, due to the considerable increase in the number of vehicles on the market. Our work is based primarily on the use of plants as bio indicator of air pollution in the region of Annaba. The evaluation of the pollution levels near the main roads is a complex exercise, given the many factors to consider at this scale. To do this, we chose three locations on three main roads Greater Annaba: ((RN 44): Annaba - El Kala; (RN 16): Annaba - El Hadjar; (RN 44): Annaba - Skikda), plants used are: phanerogamic namely species (Fraxinus angustifolia, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, and Eriobotrya japonica) and a cryptogamic species (a lichen (Ramalina farinacea)). An appropriate sampling strategy, a spatio-temporal monitoring, a counting vehicle at our study sites and measurements of physiological parameters combined with the determination of lead allowed us to assess not only the state of the air quality but also the impact of this pollution on the environment caused by a heavy traffic in the area. Keyword: Pollution, lead, bio indication, bioaccumulation, road traffic, Annaba, Algeria.

An Assessment of Morphological, Physiological and Biochemical Biomarkers of Industrial Air Pollution in the Leaves of Brachylaena discolor

Bioindicators are useful in monitoring air pollution. This study assessed the efficacy of various tree leaf morphological, physiological and biochemical biomarkers in reflecting different intensities of air pollution. Leaves from Brachylaena discolor trees growing 0, 2.5, 6 and 11 km from an industrial hub (pollution source) in eThekwini, South Africa, were analysed for leaf area, chlorophyll (Chl) content, superoxide and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production, electrolyte leakage, total antioxidant activity and concentration of selected minerals. B. discolor saplings grown under greenhouse conditions served as an ex situ control. Surface SO2 and NOx levels which were measured at the in situ and control sites declined significantly with increasing distance from the source but were below detectable limits at the control site. At the site closest to the source, leaf area was significantly lower and Chl, electrolyte leakage, and copper (Cu) and phosphorous (P) levels were significantly higher than the control. Leaf area was significantly positively, and Chl content significantly negatively, correlated with distance from the source, while H2O2 production, electrolyte leakage and Cu and P concentrations were all significantly negatively correlated with distance from the source. The aforementioned parameters represent potential biomarkers of air pollution in B. discolor and in some cases (e.g., H2O2 and electrolyte leakage; leaf area and leaf Chl content) should be measured in conjunction with each other to accommodate for interactive effects. Using B. discolor leaves as bioindicators of air pollution may represent a more viable option for monitoring air pollution than monitoring stations.

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.

Comparison of the numbers of free (surface) macrophages in the respiratory systems of three species of birds in an urban and a rural area of South Africa

The main cellular line of defence of the lung consists of the free (surface) macrophages (FMs). The cells engulf foreign agents (biological and particulate) and destroy or sequester them. The goal of this study was to determine whether the numbers of FMs are good indicators of air pollution and whether birds may flourish in or prefer less polluted areas. The numbers of FMs in the respiratory systems in three species of birds, namely the House Sparrow (Passer domesticus), the Cape Glossy Starling (Lamprotornis nitens) and the Laughing Dove (Streptopelia senegalensis), from an urban and a rural area of South Africa were counted. Statistically significantly greater numbers of FMs occurred in the respiratory systems of the urban birds. For both the rural and the urban areas, the Laughing Doves had the most body mass normalized and total lung volume normalized FMs followed by the Cape Glossy Starlings, with the House Sparrows having the lowest number. The greater numbers of FMs in the urban birds can possibly be ascribed to the high levels of air pollution in the Johannesburg-Vaal Triangle industrial conurbation compared to the rural, near pristine area of Vaalwater. The differences in the number of FMs in species from the same locality may be partly ascribed to behavioural differences: the House Sparrows have a limited operation range while the Cape Glossy Starlings and the Laughing Doves have wider ranges. FMs may be good bio-indicators of air pollution. Studies of more species of birds in different rural and urban habitats are warranted to confirm the observations made here.

Lichens of Sokółka (Podlasie, NE Poland) as indicators of the state of air pollution / Porosty Sokółki (Podlasie, Polska NE) jako wskaźniki zanieczyszczenia powietrza

Abstract Monitoring of lichens as bioindicators of air pollution has been conducted in Sokółka. On the basis of the occurrence of indicator epiphytic and epilithic lichen species, the scale of lichen sensitivity for the city has been developed and lichen zones have been designated. The zone pattern was not of insular character, and as a result there was no “total lichen desert”. The distribution of lichen zones reflects the intensity of anthropogenic pressure within the town. The least favourable conditions for lichen growth have been recorded in the town centre, while the green areas have shown the most beneficial impact on the lichen test sites

Air Pollution Influences Epiphytic Lichen Diversity in the Northeast of Thailand

This work aimed to investigate epiphytic lichens on mango trees (Mangifera indica L.) in the municipality habitats of the Northeast of Thailand based on the Verein Deutscher Ingenieure protocol and define the factors that influence their diversity. Ninety-one taxa were observed, 21 of them are macrolichens, 87 species found outside municipality and 70 species found inside municipality. The factors that most affected epiphytic lichen diversity were tree circumference, days of rainfall, bark pH, area surrounding and annual rainfall and negatively affected by population size, temperature, and distance from road. This work concluded that traffic density and human population size reduce air quality and influenced epiphytic diversity in the municipal habitats in the Northeast of Thailand, and lichens are bioindicators of air pollution in this region.