Volume 13, Issue 4 (2-2021)
ijhe 2021, 13(4): 705-734 |
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Sohrabi M, Hassanzadeh N, Hedayatzadeh F, Mofid M. Air quality and trace elements biomonitoring in Tehran urban areas using epiphytic lichen. ijhe 2021; 13 (4) :705-734
URL: http://ijhe.tums.ac.ir/article-1-6456-en.html
URL: http://ijhe.tums.ac.ir/article-1-6456-en.html
1- Environmental Biotechnology Research Group, Department of Biotechnology, Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran , sohrabi@irost.org
2- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Environment and Natural Resource, Malayer University, Malayer, Iran
3- Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
2- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Environment and Natural Resource, Malayer University, Malayer, Iran
3- Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract: (2351 Views)
Background and Objective: Air quality and distribution of trace elements in the Tehran metropolis were evaluated using transplants of the epiphytic lichen Ramalina sinensis.
Materials and Methods: Thalli of R. sinensis were collected from a non-contaminated area and transplanted in the six urban sites of Tehran for six months. After the end of the exposure period, the content of twelve elements in lichen was determined by ICP-MS method and the obtained data were evalusted using statistical analysis and various indicators.
Results: Based on the results, the order of mean concentration of the trace elements in the R. sinensis lichen samples was determined as: Ca > K > Fe > Mg > Na > Mn > Zn > Pb > Cr > Cu > Ni > Co and the highest amount of bioaccumulation was found for the essential elements. For sevelar elements, significant differences were observed in various sampling sites. Based on the pollution load indexes (PLIs), two sites at Sharif university and Setad Bohran were more polluted than other areas. Exposed-to-control (EC) ratio values for Pb, Zn, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Mg, and Co were also found in the range of 1.25-1.75. Based on the relative accumulation factor (RAF), the accumulation preference of elements by R. sinensis lichen was observed as Na > Cr > Cu > Fe > Mg > Ni > Zn > Mn > Co > Pb > Ca > K, respectively, which represents the significant ability of this species in the accumulation of elements such as Na, Cr, Cu and Fe. PCA and EF analysis indicated that trace elements adsorbed by lichen were mainly sourced from vehicle transportation.
Conclusion: This study demonstrates the application and importance of R. sinensis lichen in biomonitoring of air pollutants elements in urban areas. This approach can justify the suitability, accuracy and cost-effectiveness of lichen compared to other biomonitors for air pollutants and more importantly highlights its capability to the determination of wide levels of air pollution in large scales.
Materials and Methods: Thalli of R. sinensis were collected from a non-contaminated area and transplanted in the six urban sites of Tehran for six months. After the end of the exposure period, the content of twelve elements in lichen was determined by ICP-MS method and the obtained data were evalusted using statistical analysis and various indicators.
Results: Based on the results, the order of mean concentration of the trace elements in the R. sinensis lichen samples was determined as: Ca > K > Fe > Mg > Na > Mn > Zn > Pb > Cr > Cu > Ni > Co and the highest amount of bioaccumulation was found for the essential elements. For sevelar elements, significant differences were observed in various sampling sites. Based on the pollution load indexes (PLIs), two sites at Sharif university and Setad Bohran were more polluted than other areas. Exposed-to-control (EC) ratio values for Pb, Zn, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Mg, and Co were also found in the range of 1.25-1.75. Based on the relative accumulation factor (RAF), the accumulation preference of elements by R. sinensis lichen was observed as Na > Cr > Cu > Fe > Mg > Ni > Zn > Mn > Co > Pb > Ca > K, respectively, which represents the significant ability of this species in the accumulation of elements such as Na, Cr, Cu and Fe. PCA and EF analysis indicated that trace elements adsorbed by lichen were mainly sourced from vehicle transportation.
Conclusion: This study demonstrates the application and importance of R. sinensis lichen in biomonitoring of air pollutants elements in urban areas. This approach can justify the suitability, accuracy and cost-effectiveness of lichen compared to other biomonitors for air pollutants and more importantly highlights its capability to the determination of wide levels of air pollution in large scales.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Air
Received: 2020/08/21 | Accepted: 2021/06/12 | Published: 2021/08/15
Received: 2020/08/21 | Accepted: 2021/06/12 | Published: 2021/08/15
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