https://repositorio.ufba.br/handle/ri/17521
metadata.dc.type: | Artigo de Periódico |
Title: | Assessment of heavy metals in the particulate matter of two Brazilian metropolitan areas by using Tillandsia usneoides as atmospheric biomonitor |
Other Titles: | Environmental Science and Pollution Research |
Authors: | Vianna, Nelzair Araújo Gonçalves, Daniel Brandão, Flávia R. Barros, Roberta P. de Amado Filho, Gilberto Menezes Meire, Rodrigo Ornellas Torres, João Paulo Machado Malm, Olaf D'Oliveira Junior, Argemiro Andrade, Leonardo R. |
metadata.dc.creator: | Vianna, Nelzair Araújo Gonçalves, Daniel Brandão, Flávia R. Barros, Roberta P. de Amado Filho, Gilberto Menezes Meire, Rodrigo Ornellas Torres, João Paulo Machado Malm, Olaf D'Oliveira Junior, Argemiro Andrade, Leonardo R. |
Abstract: | Purpose The aims of this paper were to quantify the heavy metals (HM) in the air of different sites in Rio de Janeiro (RJ) and Salvador (SA) using Tillandsia usneoides (Bromeliaceae) as a biomonitor, and to study the morphology and elemental composition of the air particulate matter (PM) retained on the Tillandsia surface. Methods Tillandsia samples were collected in a noncontaminated area and exposed to the air of five sites in RJ State and seven in SA for 45 days, in two seasons. Samples were prepared to HM quantification by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry, while morphological and elemental characterizations were studied by using scanning electron microscopy. Results HM concentrations were significantly higher when compared to control sites. We found an increasing metal concentration as follows: Cd < Cr < Pb < Cu < Zn. PM exhibited a morphology varying from amorphous- to polygonal-shaped particles. Size measurements indicated that more than 80% of particles were less than 10 μm. PM contained aluminosilicates iron-rich particles, but Zn, Cu, Cr, and Ba were also detected. Conclusion HM input in the atmosphere was mainly associated with anthropogenic sources such as vehicle exhaust. Elemental analysis detected HM in the inhalable particles, indicating that those HMs may intensify the toxic effects of PM on human health. Our results indicated T. usneoides as an adequate biomonitor of HM in the PM belonging to the inhalable fraction. |
Keywords: | Air particulate matter Atmospheric pollution Biomonitoring Electron microscopy Heavy metals Tillandsia |
metadata.dc.rights: | Acesso Aberto |
URI: | http://repositorio.ufba.br/ri/handle/ri/17521 |
Issue Date: | 2011 |
Appears in Collections: | Artigo Publicado em Periódico (Faculdade de Medicina) |
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