BIOMONITORING OF AIR QUALITY EMPLOYING TILLANDSIA CAPILLARIS RUIZ & PAV. FORM CAPILLARIS IN GROWING AREAS OF SOYBEAN IN THE PROVINCE OF CÓRDOBA, ARGENTINA

RODRIGUEZ, J.H.; KLUMPP, A.; WELLER, J.B; WANNAZ, E.D.; PIGNATA, M.L.

Buenos Aires

Workshop; 5th International Workshop on Biomonitoring of Atmospheric Pollution; 2009

CNEA

In areas where air pollution distribution changes rapidly, such as developing countries, the availability of air pollution monitoring networks is insufficient. Therefore many regions are lacking of data on pollution levels and patterns. Soybean (Glycine max) is the main crop per cultivated area, production volume and gross value in the Province of Córdoba (Argentina), being the transgenic variety RR (Roundup Ready) used. This crop has expanded enormously replacing other crop and livestock production and, together with related activities, generates sources of pollutants in the agricultural environment. In addition, the expansion of soybean cultivation is such that crops can be found adjacent to roads with high vehicular traffic and industrial activity. In order to evaluate the air quality in soybean growing areas, as well as emission sources of pollutants, plants of the epiphytic Tillandsia capillaris Ruiz & Pav. form capillaris were transplanted to nine areas in the Province of Cordoba, Argentina. These were selected taking into account the presence of soybean crops in the vicinity of emission sources of air contaminants (industries, agrochemicals and vehicular traffic). At the end of each of four 3-months exposure periods, the foliar concentrations of chlorophylls, phaeophytins, hydroperoxidienes conjugates, malondialdehyde, and sulfur as well as the electrical conductivity and the dry weight / fresh weight ratio were determined. With some of these parameters a Foliar Damage Index was calculated. Data sets were evaluated by one-way ANOVA and principal component analysis. Strongest effects on physiological parameters were observed during the winter period as a consequence of climatic conditions and energy use. The sites Malagueño, Río Tercero and Oliva showed the lowest air quality due to anthropogenic activities. The data demonstrates that crop areas near industrial production can be adversely affected representing a potential risk to human health. Therefore, further research in this topic should be made. Glycine max) is the main crop per cultivated area, production volume and gross value in the Province of Córdoba (Argentina), being the transgenic variety RR (Roundup Ready) used. This crop has expanded enormously replacing other crop and livestock production and, together with related activities, generates sources of pollutants in the agricultural environment. In addition, the expansion of soybean cultivation is such that crops can be found adjacent to roads with high vehicular traffic and industrial activity. In order to evaluate the air quality in soybean growing areas, as well as emission sources of pollutants, plants of the epiphytic Tillandsia capillaris Ruiz & Pav. form capillaris were transplanted to nine areas in the Province of Cordoba, Argentina. These were selected taking into account the presence of soybean crops in the vicinity of emission sources of air contaminants (industries, agrochemicals and vehicular traffic). At the end of each of four 3-months exposure periods, the foliar concentrations of chlorophylls, phaeophytins, hydroperoxidienes conjugates, malondialdehyde, and sulfur as well as the electrical conductivity and the dry weight / fresh weight ratio were determined. With some of these parameters a Foliar Damage Index was calculated. Data sets were evaluated by one-way ANOVA and principal component analysis. Strongest effects on physiological parameters were observed during the winter period as a consequence of climatic conditions and energy use. The sites Malagueño, Río Tercero and Oliva showed the lowest air quality due to anthropogenic activities. The data demonstrates that crop areas near industrial production can be adversely affected representing a potential risk to human health. Therefore, further research in this topic should be made.