Biomonitoring using tree bark and its correlation with particulate matter

• Grant number: 17/10515-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): June 01, 2017
• Effective date (End): April 30, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Principal Investigator: Thais Mauad
• Grantee: Rafael Santos Saraiva
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 13/21728-2 - The use of modern autopsy techniques to investigate human diseases (MODAU), AP.TEM

Abstract

Chemical elements, especially metals, cause genotoxic effects, induction of neoplasia, damage to the immune and neurological systems. The main pollutants related to the combustion process are: Fine Particle Matter (PM2.5); Particle Matter (PM10); Total Suspended Particles (TSP); Sulfur Dioxide (SO2); Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2); Carbon Monoxide (CO); Ozone (O3). Particulate matter (PM) is defined as a complex mixture of solids with small diameter, the components of which have diverse physical and chemical characteristics. PM is related to several respiratory and cardiovascular tract problems. Biomonitoring are the use of living organisms used to obtain information about characteristics present in the biosphere. The biomonitoring technique using tree barks allows a spatial distribution of pollutants. The species chosen for the project are Poincianella Pluviosa (former Caesalpinia pluviosa) and Tipuana tipu, because they are widely distributed in the study area and have presented viability for biomonitoring studies. The chemical analysis will be done using the EDXRF technique, being able to determine concentrations of the chemical elements according to the detected wavelength. The calibration will be performed by the fundamental parameters (FP) calibration method. The objective of this work is to obtain the association of the chemical elements concentrations in the bark with the particulate material concentrations measured in monitoring stations of CETESB and to determine the period in which the elements absorbed by the bark are representative. (AU)