Biomonitoring as a Nature-Based Solution to Assess Atmospheric Pollution and Impacts on Public Health

Author(s):Show less -

Theophilo, Carolina Yume Sawamura ^[1] ; Ribeiro, Andreza Portella ^{[2, 3]} ; Moreira, Edson Goncalves ^[1] ; Aranha, Sidnei ^{[2, 4]} ; Bollmann, Harry Alberto ^[3] ; Santos, Cleiton Jordao ^[4] ; de Oliveira, Anderson ^[2] ; dos Santos, Sidney ^[5] ; Saiki, Mitiko ^[1] ; Saldiva, Paulo Hilario Nascimento ^[6] ; Ferreira, Mauricio Lamano ^[7]

Affiliation

^[1] Nucl & Energy Res Inst IPEN CNEN SP, Av Prof Lineu Prestes 2242, BR-05508000 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[2] Nove Julho Univ UNINOVE, Rua Vergueiro 235, BR-01525000 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[3] Pontifical Catholic Univ Parana PUCPR, Av Imaculada Conceicao 1155, BR-80215901 Curitiba, PR - Brazil

^[4] Guaruja City SEMAM, Dept Environm, Av Santos Dumont 640, BR-11432502 Guaruja, SP - Brazil

^[5] Fed Inst Sao Paulo Pirituba Campus IFSP, Av Mutinga 951, BR-05110000 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[6] Sao Paulo Univ Med Sch FM USP, Av Dr Arnaldo 455, Sala 1103, BR-01246903 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[7] Sao Paulo Adventist Univ SP, Estrada Municipal Pastor Walter Boger S-N, BR-13445970 Engenheiro Coelho, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology; v. 107, n. 1, SI, p. 29-36, JUL 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

The control of air pollution remains a challenge to the planning of cities and fossil fuel burning is the main cause of air degradation. Particulate matter (PM) is the contaminant commonly used as an indicator of pollution, but environmental agencies may face difficulties in operating surveillance networks due to the lack of resources and infrastructure. As an alternative to conventional networks, scientific studies have pointed out that nature itself can contribute to the diagnosis and reduction of air pollution. Nature-based solutions (NbS) are proposals that use natural processes and structures to meet different environmental challenges. In this study, biomonitoring with Tillandsia usneoides was applied as a NbS tool to evaluate air quality in an important port urban area in the city of Guaruja, Brazil, affected by industrial and vehicular emissions. It was observed that cadmium mass fractions were at least forty times higher than the control area with one-month exposition. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 20/05383-9 - Resilient cities: nature-based solutions to minimize the effects of air pollution on public health
• Grantee: Andreza Portella Ribeiro
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research in Public Policies