Biomonitoring of metals for air pollution assessment using a hemiepiphyte herb (Struthanthus flexicaulis)

Abstract

This work presents first results on elemental characterization of a parasite plant, Struthanthus flexicaulis, collected in urban, industrial and rural areas of Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, in order to evaluate this plant as a biomonitor of metals pollution. The results were also compared to those obtained for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) collected from filters in nearby locales. The concentrations of PM2.5 measured in the filters were between 8.0 and 18.0 μg m(-3); in some places, these measurements were higher than the 10 μg m(-3), concentration recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). Samples of the leaves and filters with PM were submitted to acid extraction, and the extracts were employed to determine major elements (Ba, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, P and S) by ICP OES and minor elements (Cr, Cu, La, Mn, Pb, Sr, Ti and Zn) by ICP-MS. Elements' extraction efficiency was evaluated by applying the method to the certified reference materials (CMR) of tomato leaves (NIST 1573(rd)) and urban dust (NIST 1648a). The concentrations of Ca, K and Mg were higher in leaves, while Ba, Ca, K and Zn showed higher concentrations in the PM. As expected, rural sites presented lower metal content. Enrichment factor (EF) and principal component analysis with multiple linear regression analysis (PCA-MLRA) were applied to the concentrations of elements in PM2.5 and in the leaves. Anthropogenic sources could be identified with both tools, which supports the use of S. flexicaulis as a biomonitor.

Análise multielementar da Rhipsalis lindbergiana K. schum.

“…Niterói está localizada a leste do Rio de Janeiro (22 o 52'S e 43 o 06'O). É caracterizada pelo litoral praiano constituído de praias e morros; mas é também uma cidade repleta de pequenas indústrias, uma estação de balsas, indústria naval e apresenta uma ocupação humana desordenada ao longo dos últimos anos [51].…”

Combination of green tea catechins, polysaccharides, and flavonols against urban fine dust particle-induced bronchial damage mediated by modulation of inflammation factors and airway cilia

“…Catechin compounds, such as (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), act as radical scavengers and metal-chelating agents and play roles in various cellular processes; for example, they exert neuroprotective functions, regulate blood pressure, and protect against cardiovascular disease [18,19,20]. Previous studies have reported the protective effects of plant extracts and phenolic compounds against oxidative stress and in ammation induced by FDPs [21,22,23,24], and we hypothesized that green tea components could exert potent protective effects against FDP-induced toxicity. Similar to N-acetyl cysteine [25], EGCG exhibits scavenging e cacy against FDP-induced ROS [26].…”

Urban Allotment Gardens for the Biomonitoring of Atmospheric Trace Element Pollution

“…Along with leaves, some researchers have also analyzed bark or twigs from trees to find out that they had bioaccumulated trace elements (Sawidis et al, 2011; Guéguen et al, 2012; Severoglu et al, 2015; Esen et al, 2016). (Hemi)epiphytic plants have been used as well because they absorb toxic substances only from the air (Rodriguez et al, 2011; de Paula et al, 2015; Giampaoli et al, 2016) and grow faster than trees (e.g., Lolium multiflorum Lam. [Klumpp et al, 2009] or Taraxacum officinale Weber [Kleckerová and Dočekalová, 2014]).…”