Air pollution monitoring in the Continuum Cantareira-Mantiqueira using bees and passive sampling

• Grant number: 16/14737-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2016
• End date: November 30, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Pharmacy - Toxicological Analysis
• Principal Investigator: Maria Fernanda Hornos Carneiro
• Grantee: Ana Carolina Coelho Fernandes
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The region between Serra da Cantareira and Mantiqueira is a very important area in the Atlantic Forest in the State of São Paulo and is located next to the large São Paulo, which is known to have high levels of air pollutants. Such proximity and weather conditions may influence the quality of air in the Cantareira-Mantiqueira Continuous, causing impacts to fauna and flora. The study of bioindicators is an inexpensive, simple method that can assess the risk of exposure. This project aims to evaluate the feasibility of using Jataí bees (Angustula tetragonisca) as air quality indicator in 10 monitoring points located along the Continuous Cantareira-Mantiqueira, by determining the concentration of metals and chemical elements (such as lead, for example) in the tissues. In addition, is also aim to assess the nitrogen dioxide and ozone levels by passive sampling. This study will be relevant to the knowledge of the inherent risk considering air pollution in the region, its impact and relationship with ecological aspects of landscape in the continuous Cantareira-Mantiqueira. (AU)