Quantification of chemicals elements associated with vehicle traffic on atmospheric bromeliads transplanted in the Metropolitan Region of Recife

Abstract

Decreased air quality is a major environmental problem in large urban centers, and industries and motor vehicles are the main contributors to the emission of pollutants in the urban atmosphere. The atmospheric bromeliads are widely used in studies monitoring air quality by relying exclusively from the atmosphere to obtain the nutrients and water needed for their survival. For this reason, the epiphyte Tillandsia recurvata was selected for the development of this study, which aimed to assess the air quality in the metropolitan area of Recife (RMR) via an active biomonitoring study. Specimens of this species were collected in unpolluted regions, far from potential emission sources and transplanted in places with different levels of vehicle traffic in RMR. The biomonitors were exposed for two months and after that period the concentrations of Ni, Cu, Pb and Cd were determined by ICP-MS (Mass Spectrometry Inductively Coupled Plasma). Points located near major roads with vehicular traffic had the highest concentrations of the analyzed elements, namely (2.9 ± 0.9) mg.kg-1 Ni, (14.8 ± 0.5) mg.kg-1 Cu, (5.4 ± 0.3) mg.kg-1 Pb and (0.10 ± 0.04) mg.kg-1 to Cd, while lower concentrations were obtained in residential areas (0.62 ± 0.05) mg.kg-1 Ni, (2.5 ± 0.6) mg.kg-1 Cu, (1,0 ± 0.1) mg.kg-1 Pb and (0.014 ± 0.003) mg.kg-1 for Cd, thus demonstrating a correlation between the accumulation of the elements and vehicle traffic intensity.