Biomonitoring of air quality employing in situ Ramalina celastri in Argentina.

PIGNATA, M.L; GONZALEZ, C.M.; CARRERAS, H; WANNAZ, E.; GUDIÑO, G.; MARTINEZ, S.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENT AND POLLUTION

Inderscience

Lugar: United Kingdom; Año: 2004 p. 409 - 429

0957-4352

The lichen Ramalina celastri was employed as an in situ biomonitor for the study of air quality and heavy metals distribution in the central region of the Argentine Republic (50,000 km2). The thallus content of Cu, Fe, Mn, Co, Zn, Ni and Pb was determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. Pigments, hydroperoxy conjugated dienes, malondialdehyde and sulfur were also measured. Some of these parameters were used to calculate a Pollution Index. Geographical distribution patterns were obtained for the different metals by mapping. Thus, Zn shows high levels in industrial and agricultural zones. The highest Ni values were found in urban-industrial zones located at the center and south of the study area. The same was observed for sulfur. The pollution index distribution map showed that major physiological damage in the biomonitor was found in central and southeastern areas that coincide with Córdoba City and agricultural zones. So, the effect would be related to urban activities and the use of pesticides. quality and heavy metals distribution in the central region of the Argentine Republic (50,000 km2). The thallus content of Cu, Fe, Mn, Co, Zn, Ni and Pb was determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. Pigments, hydroperoxy conjugated dienes, malondialdehyde and sulfur were also measured. Some of these parameters were used to calculate a Pollution Index. Geographical distribution patterns were obtained for the different metals by mapping. Thus, Zn shows high levels in industrial and agricultural zones. The highest Ni values were found in urban-industrial zones located at the center and south of the study area. The same was observed for sulfur. The pollution index distribution map showed that major physiological damage in the biomonitor was found in central and southeastern areas that coincide with Córdoba City and agricultural zones. So, the effect would be related to urban activities and the use of pesticides. Ramalina celastri was employed as an in situ biomonitor for the study of air quality and heavy metals distribution in the central region of the Argentine Republic (50,000 km2). The thallus content of Cu, Fe, Mn, Co, Zn, Ni and Pb was determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. Pigments, hydroperoxy conjugated dienes, malondialdehyde and sulfur were also measured. Some of these parameters were used to calculate a Pollution Index. Geographical distribution patterns were obtained for the different metals by mapping. Thus, Zn shows high levels in industrial and agricultural zones. The highest Ni values were found in urban-industrial zones located at the center and south of the study area. The same was observed for sulfur. The pollution index distribution map showed that major physiological damage in the biomonitor was found in central and southeastern areas that coincide with Córdoba City and agricultural zones. So, the effect would be related to urban activities and the use of pesticides.