IMBIV   05474
INSTITUTO MULTIDISCIPLINARIO DE BIOLOGIA VEGETAL
Unidad Ejecutora - UE
artículos
Título:
Air quality biomonitoring in agricultural areas nearby to urban and industrial emission sources in Córdoba province, Argentina, employing the bioindicator Tillandsia capillaris
Autor/es:
RODRIGUEZ JH, WELLER SB, WANNAZ ED, KLUMPP A, PIGNATA ML.
Revista:
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
Editorial:
ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV
Referencias:
Año: 2011 vol. 11 p. 1673 - 1680
ISSN:
1470-160X
Resumen:
The air quality in agricultural areas close to industrial emission sources (chemical, metallurgical and
cement plant) was evaluated through a biomonitoring study employing the epiphytic species Tillandsia
capillaris Ruíz and Pav. f. capillaris. Plants were collected from a non-contaminated area in the province
of Córdoba (reference site) and transplanted back to this site and into three industrial areas representing
different emission sources of air pollutants: cement plant, chemical and metallurgical industries. Biomonitors
were exposed to ambient air for four periods of 3 months each during one year (for determination
of physiological parameters) and for four periods of 6 months each during two years (for determination
of trace elements). In the exposure period coinciding with the winter season (i.e., the dry season) the
plants showed the strongest global physiological damage, possibly due to higher air pollutant concentrations.
The comparison among study areas indicates the highest values of foliar damage index at the
chemical industries sites, possibly due to the emission of oxidizing pollutants. On the other hand, heavy
metals and trace element concentrations (V, Fe, Co, Cu, Br, Ni, Zn and Pb) were associated mainly with
metallurgical industries, although the chemical industries and the cement plant were associated with Ni,
Zn and Ca accumulation in the biomonitor, respectively. Considering that these sites with high industrial
activity are located close to soybean producing areas, further environmental and toxicological studies
are necessary, taking into account food safety and human health.Tillandsia
capillaris Ruíz and Pav. f. capillaris. Plants were collected from a non-contaminated area in the province
of Córdoba (reference site) and transplanted back to this site and into three industrial areas representing
different emission sources of air pollutants: cement plant, chemical and metallurgical industries. Biomonitors
were exposed to ambient air for four periods of 3 months each during one year (for determination
of physiological parameters) and for four periods of 6 months each during two years (for determination
of trace elements). In the exposure period coinciding with the winter season (i.e., the dry season) the
plants showed the strongest global physiological damage, possibly due to higher air pollutant concentrations.
The comparison among study areas indicates the highest values of foliar damage index at the
chemical industries sites, possibly due to the emission of oxidizing pollutants. On the other hand, heavy
metals and trace element concentrations (V, Fe, Co, Cu, Br, Ni, Zn and Pb) were associated mainly with
metallurgical industries, although the chemical industries and the cement plant were associated with Ni,
Zn and Ca accumulation in the biomonitor, respectively. Considering that these sites with high industrial
activity are located close to soybean producing areas, further environmental and toxicological studies
are necessary, taking into account food safety and human health.Ruíz and Pav. f. capillaris. Plants were collected from a non-contaminated area in the province
of Córdoba (reference site) and transplanted back to this site and into three industrial areas representing
different emission sources of air pollutants: cement plant, chemical and metallurgical industries. Biomonitors
were exposed to ambient air for four periods of 3 months each during one year (for determination
of physiological parameters) and for four periods of 6 months each during two years (for determination
of trace elements). In the exposure period coinciding with the winter season (i.e., the dry season) the
plants showed the strongest global physiological damage, possibly due to higher air pollutant concentrations.
The comparison among study areas indicates the highest values of foliar damage index at the
chemical industries sites, possibly due to the emission of oxidizing pollutants. On the other hand, heavy
metals and trace element concentrations (V, Fe, Co, Cu, Br, Ni, Zn and Pb) were associated mainly with
metallurgical industries, although the chemical industries and the cement plant were associated with Ni,
Zn and Ca accumulation in the biomonitor, respectively. Considering that these sites with high industrial
activity are located close to soybean producing areas, further environmental and toxicological studies
are necessary, taking into account food safety and human health.