Claudia M. Gonzalez

Atmospheric quality and distribution of heavy metals in Argentina employing Tillandsia capillaris as a biomonitor

The atmospheric quality and distribution of heavy metals were evaluated throughout a wide region of Argentina. In addition, the biomonitor performance of Tillandsia capillaris Ruiz & Pav. f. capillaris was studied in relation to the accumulation of heavy metals and to its physiologic response to air pollutants. A sampling area of 50,000 km2 was selected in the central region of the Argentine Republic. This area was subdivided into grids of 25 x 25 km. Pools of T. capillaris, where present, were collected at each intersection point. From each pool three sub-samples were analyzed independently. Furthermore, five replicates were collected at 20% of the points in order to analyze the variability within the site. The content of Co, Cu, Fe, Ni, Mn, Pb and Zn was determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. Chemical-physiological parameters were also determined to detect symptoms of foliar damage. Chlorophylls, phaeophytins, hydroperoxy conjugated dienes, malondialdehyde and sulfur were quantified in T. capillaris. Some of these parameters were used to calculate a foliar damage index. Data sets were evaluated by one-way ANOVA, correlation analysis, principal component analysis and mapping. Geographical distribution patterns were obtained for the different metals reflecting the contribution of natural and anthropogenic emission sources. According to our results it can be inferred that Fe, Mn and Co probably originated in the soil. For Pb, the highest values were found in the mountainous area, which can be attributed to the presence of Pb in the granitic rocks. Ni showed mainly an anthropogenic origin, with higher values found in places next to industrial centers. For Zn the highest values were in areas of agricultural development. The same was observed for Cu, whose presence could be related to the employment of pesticides. The foliar damage index distribution map showed that the central and southeastern zones were the ones where the major damage in the bioindicator was found. The central zone coincides with the city of Córdoba whereas the southeastern area is strictly agricultural, so the high values found there could be related to the use of pesticides.

Biomonitoring of air pollutants from traffic and industries employing Ramalina ecklonii (Spreng.) Mey. and Flot. in Córdoba, Argentina

The lichen Ramalina ecklonii (Spreng.) Mey. and Flot. was transplanted to 29 biomonitoring sites in the southeastern area of Córdoba, Argentina and tested for chlorophyll a, phaeophytin a, conjugated dienes concentration, malondialdehyde, soluble protein content and sulfur accumulation. The biomonitoring sites were determined according to (i) vehicular traffic levels, and (ii) industrial density, i.e. number and type of industries (small and medium) close to each of the sites. Each of the two groups were then broken down into three categories which provided a basis for performance analysis and quantification of the chemical parameters in the biomonitor. A pollution index (P.I.) was calculated based on the ratio of phaeophytin a to chlorophyll a and ratio of sulfur, malonaldehyde and conjugated dienes in transplanted specimens to sulfur, malonaldehyde and conjugated dienes in the freshly picked specimens. Significant differences were observed in sulfur content and P.I. in lichen samples that had been transplanted to sites with different vehicular traffic levels. At the same time, significant differences in the phaeophytin a concentration, phaeophytin a/chlorophyll a ratio and P.I. were observed at sites characterized by different levels of industrial density (all with low-to-medium traffic).

The Influence of Air Pollution on Soluble Proteins, Chlorophyll Degradation, MDA, Sulphur and Heavy Metals in A Transplanted Lichen

Abstract The lichen, Punclelia subrudecta (Ny1.) Krog., was transplanted to 10 biomonitoring sites during the period December 1990-March 1991. the total amounts of metals (Mn, Cu, Pb, Zn, Fe and A1) detected in the lichen thalli after the period of exposure, were compared with the chlorophyll degradation, amounts of sulphur, MDA concentrations and soluble protein concentrations in the same material. the MDA content was directly related to the amount of sulphur in the lichen transplanted material. A contamination index (C.I.) was calculated from the amounts of sulphur, chlorophyll-α, phaeophytin-α, and MDA.

Integral assessment of pollution in the Suquía River (Córdoba, Argentina) as a contribution to lotic ecosystem restoration programs.

The Suquía River lower-middle basin (Córdoba, Argentina) is subject to a strong anthropic impact because it receives pollutants from different sources (industries, wastewaters, heavy traffic, agricultural land use, etc.) We have assessed the degree of watershed degradation of Suquía River lower-middle sections through the analysis of different ecosystem compartments (air, water, riparian soil, sediments and biota), in order to provide useful data to be considered in future river restoration programs. Four study sites were selected along the river (La Calera city, Córdoba city, Corazón de María village and Río Primero city) which were sampled during the low- and high-water flow periods. We analyzed: a) chemical and physical characteristics of water, sediments, and riparian soil; b) heavy metal content of water and sediments, and c) semi-volatile organic compounds in air. Besides, pollutant bioindicators such as fish assemblages, lichens (Usnea amblyoclada), vascular plants (Tradescantia pallida), and microorganisms (fecal coliform and Escherichia coli) were used to further assess the status of the river. All analyzed ecological compartments were affected by water pollution, particularly, fish assemblages, sediments and riparian soils by heavy metal and coliform bacteria. Moreover, we detected a possible contribution of sulfur and a high pollutant content in air that merit further research about other air-water exchanges. Accordingly, we strongly suggest that an action to restore or remediate the anthropic effect on the Suquía River be extended to all possible compartments along the river.

Chemical response of the lichen Punctelia subrudecta (Nyl.) Krog transplanted close to a power station in an urban-industrial environment

The lichen Punctelia subrudecta (Nyl.) Krog was transplanted to 22 biomonitoring sites in a northwestern area of Córdoba city, Argentina and tested for chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, phaeophytin a, soluble protein, hydroperoxy conjugated dienes (HPCD), malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration and sulphur accumulation. A pollution index (PI) was calculated for each biomonitoring site. The biomonitoring sites were set according to (1) traffic levels, (2) industrial density and (3) distance of the power station close to each site. The biomonitors chemical response was associated with industries as well as power stations. Significant differences were observed in sulphur content, MDA concentration and PI values in lichen material transplanted to sites with different industrial densities. The higher values for these parameters were found at sites with high industrial levels. At the same time, significant differences were detected for sulphur content in samples at different distances from the power station, with higher accumulation in samples located far from the power plant. For MDA concentration, effect of different levels of industrial density was observed only at points close to the power station, probably because of higher levels of humidity near the power plant. For PI significantly higher values were observed in samples at points far from the power station and with high industrial density. This shows the additive effect of the principal emission sources that act on the response of P. subrudecta to air pollutants.

Chemical response of transplanted lichen Canomaculina pilosa to different emission sources of air pollutants

The lichen Canomaculina pilosa was transplanted to 21 sampling sites, plus two controls sites in a north-western area of Córdoba City, Argentina. The transplantation sites were set according to traffic levels, industry condition and distances from the power plant. On the transplanted lichens chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, phaeophytin a, soluble proteins, hydroperoxy-conjugated dienes, malondialdehyde concentration and sulphur accumulation were determined. A pollution index was calculated for each sampling site. The present study provides information about chemical parameters showing variations as the response of C. pilosa to different emission sources of air pollutants. The C. pilosa chemical response was mainly associated to industries. Significant higher values were observed in phaeophytin a/chlorophyll a ratio, sulphur content and pollution index values in lichen material transplanted at sites with industry. For the distance from the power plant category, only the hydroperoxy-conjugated dienes concentration showed significant differences. For the different traffic levels no significant variations were observed for any of the chemical parameters quantified.

14β,17β-dihydroxywithanolides from Jaborosa bergii

Abstract From leaves of Jaborosa bergii five new withanolides were isolated and studied by spectroscopic (1H and 13C NMR, MS) and chemical methods. The new products were characterized as the epoxylactol and epoxylactone derivatives of 27-deoxy-2,3-dihydrojaborosalactone A having hydroxyl groups at C-14β and C-17β (jaborosalactol M and jaborosalactone M), the corresponding 2,3-dehydro derivatives, and the related 2,3-4,5-didehydro-6β-hydroxyepoxylactol (jaborosalactol N). The 14β,17β-dihydroxywithanolides have not been previously reported.

Alkanes in lichens

Abstract The presence of n -alkanes in 14 species of lichens from Argentina was studied. The characteristic n -alkanes were C 27 , C 29 and C 31 .

A 19-hydroxywithanolide from Jaborosa leucotricha

Abstract From leaves of Jaborosa leucotricha a new withanolide 17α,19-dihydroxy-5β,6β-epoxy-1-oxo-22R-witha-24-enolide has been isolated characterized by spectroscopic methods ( 1 H and 13 CNMR, MS); 19-hydroxywithanolides have not been previously reported.

Land use and air quality in urban environments: Human health risk assessment due to inhalation of airborne particles

ABSTRACT Particle matter (PM) and its associated compounds are a serious problem for urban air quality and a threat to human health. In the present study, we assessed the intraurban variation of PM, and characterized the human health risk associated to the inhalation of particles measured on PM filters, considering different land use areas in the urban area of Cordoba city (Argentina) and different age groups. To assess the intraurban variation of PM, a biomonitoring network of T. capillaris was established in 15 sampling sites with different land use and the bioaccumulation of Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn was quantified. After that, particles were collected by instrumental monitors placed at the most representative sampling sites of each land use category and an inhalation risk was calculated. A remarkable intraurban difference in the heavy metals content measured in the biomonitors was observed, in relation with the sampling site land use. The higher content was detected at industrial areas as well as in sites with intense vehicular traffic. Mean PM10 levels exceeded the standard suggested by the U.S. EPA in all land use areas, except for the downtown. Hazard Index values were below EPAs safe limit in all land use areas and in the different age groups. In contrast, the carcinogenic risk analysis showed that all urban areas exceeded the acceptable limit (1 × 10−6), while the industrial sampling sites and the elder group presented a carcinogenic risk higher that the unacceptable limit. These findings validate the use of T. capillaris to assess intraurban air quality and also show there is an important intraurban variation in human health risk associated to different land use. HIGHLIGHTSBiomonitors showed intraurban differences in particles bound metals.The PM10 limit (150 &mgr;g/m3) was exceeded in almost all land uses categories.Industrial sites had an unacceptable carcinogenic risk (> 1 × 10−4).Adults and elder are the most susceptible age groups.Land use influence health risk due to particle inhalation.