Biomonitoring of atmospheric trace elements in agricultural areas and a former uranium mine

• Authors: Judith H. Rodriguez , Eduardo D. Wannaz , Sebastian B. Weller , María L. Pignata
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

Most biomonitoring studies worldwide have
evaluated the air quality in industrial and urban areas,
and even in mining areas to a lesser extent. However, air
quality investigations in agricultural areas are scarce.
In the present study, the trace metal accumulation and
physiological response of the biomonitor Tillandsia
capillaris were assessed. Plant samples were transplanted
to a reference site, a former open-cast uranium mine,
and agricultural sites with varying pollution levels (from
normal agricultural practices and near an open rubbish
dump) in the province of Córdoba, Argentina. Biomonitors
were exposed to ambient air for different exposure periods
for physiological or trace element determination. The
bioindicators revealed that the highest physiological
damage occurred at the sites close to the open dump and
the former uranium mine, while a comparison among
exposure periods indicating the winter season produced
the highest physiological damage in the biomonitor due
to the adverse climatic conditions and air pollution.
As the trace metal accumulation in the biomonitor was
mainly associated with the open dump and uranium
mine sites, monitoring and remediation programs should
now be applied to these sites in order to alleviate the
negative effects of pollution on the environment and the
population.

Keywords

EN

air quality; Tillandsia capillaris; open rubbish dump; trace metals; mine

• Publisher: De Gruyter Open
• Journal: Biomonitoring
• Year: 2014
• Volume: 1
• Issue: 1

Dates

accepted

13 - 8 - 2014

online

25 - 9 - 2014

received

29 - 7 - 2014

Contributors

author

Judith H. Rodriguez

• Multidisciplinary Institute of Plant Biology, Pollution and Bioindicator section, Faculty of Physical and Natural Sciences, National University of Córdoba, Av. Vélez Sársfield 1611, X5016CGA Córdoba, Argentina

author

Eduardo D. Wannaz

• Multidisciplinary Institute of Plant Biology, Pollution and Bioindicator section, Faculty of Physical and Natural Sciences, National University of Córdoba, Av. Vélez Sársfield 1611, X5016CGA Córdoba, Argentina

author

Sebastian B. Weller

• Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute of
  Meteorology and Climate Research (IMK-IFU), Kreuzeckbahnstr. 19,
  82467 Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany

author

María L. Pignata

• Multidisciplinary Institute of Plant Biology, Pollution and Bioindicator section, Faculty of Physical and Natural Sciences, National University of Córdoba, Av. Vélez Sársfield 1611, X5016CGA Córdoba, Argentina

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Identifiers

DOI

10.2478/bimo-2014-0007