Trace element biomonitoring to assess air quality in Córdoba, Argentina, using the lichen Usnea amblyoclada

BERMUDEZ, GONZALO M.A.; JASAN, RAQUEL; INVERNIZZI, RODRIGO; PLA, R.R.; PIGNATA, M.L.

Buenos Aires

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

CNEA

With the purpose of comparing the atmospheric quality of ten areas in the Córdoba Province (Argentina) the lichen Usnea amblyoclada (Müll. Arg.) Zahlbr. was used as an active biomonitor. Thalli were collected in an unpolluted area (Tanti) and transplanted in polyethilene bags for three months (May-August 2005). Samples were hanged at 3m height from the ground level to the following transplantation areas: a) Río Tercero: agriculture, chemical and petrochemical industries, b) Yocsina: agriculture, cement plant and an industrial incinerator, c) Los Gigantes: mineral extraction activities (uranium), d) Despeñaderos: agriculture, e) Ferreyra (Córdoba): agriculture, metallurgical and metal-mechanical industries, f) Oliva and g) Estación General Paz: agriculture, h) Pozo de Tigre: agriculture and dove hunting, i) Chancaní: control, j) Tanti: low-polluted site. The physiological parameters chlorophyll a and b, phaeophytin a, electrical conductivity (EC), dry weight/fresh weight ratio (DW/FW), malondialdehyde (MDA), hydroperoxy conjugated dienes (HPCD) and sulfur content were performed in the basal and the transplanted lichen thalli. A Pollution index (PI) were calculated with some parameters and the concentration of trace elements was determined by Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA). An Enrichment Factor (EF) was calculated using the basal samples and the element Sc as a soil marker. Principal Component Analysis indicated that metals were included in the first component while physiological parameters in the following components. Cr, Gd, Se and Zn were associated with Río Tercero. Considering EFs, Río Tercero and Yocsina showed strong elemental enrichment for As, Ba, Br, Fe, Sb and Zn; Río Tercero and Los Gigantes for Ba and U; Ferreyra for Ba, Sb and Zn; Despeñaderos for Cr and Zn. Tanti showed enrichment for Cr while Co and Hf were enriched in Río Tercero.