Evaluation of Tillandsia capillaris Ruiz & Pav. f. capillaris as biomonitor of atmospheric pollution in Argentina

PIGNATA, M L, WANNAZ, ED, MARTÍNEZ, MS, CAMINOTTI, G

Bioindication an Air Quality in European Cities

Verlag Gunter Heimbach

Lugar: Altbach-Stuttgart, Germany; Año: 2002; p. 209 - 214

The behaviour of Tillandsia capillaris Ruiz & Pav. f. capillaris when exposed to atmospheric pollutants was assessed by measuring chemical parameters indicating foliar damage and the content of some heavy metals. Samples were transplanted to three sites in the City of Córdoba and were collected back after 15, 30, 60 and 90 days of exposure. At the same time samples coming from the collection site were analyzed for each of said exposure times. Chlorophylls, hydroperoxy conjugated dienes, water content, malondialdehyde, sulfur, Cu, Pb, Ni, Co, Mn, Zn and Fe were measured in the samples. A Foliar Damage Index was calculated from some of these parameters. The levels of chlorophylls, malondialdehyde, hydroperoxy conjugated dienes and foliar damage index were higher in the samples transplanted to urban sites and at longer exposure times. T. capillaris showed variations in its chemical response to urban pollutants, which has lead to consider it as an air pollution biomonitor.