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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Lichen specie Canoparmelia texana as bioindicator of environmental impact from the phosphate fertilizer industry of Sao Paulo, Brazil

Full text
Author(s):
Leonardo, L. [1] ; Damatto, S. R. [1] ; Gios, B. R. [1] ; Mazzilli, B. P. [1]
Total Authors: 4
Affiliation:
[1] Inst Pesquisas Energet & Nucl, Lab Radiometria Ambiental, BR-05508000 Sao Paulo - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 1
Document type: Journal article
Source: JOURNAL OF RADIOANALYTICAL AND NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY; v. 299, n. 3, p. 1935-1941, MAR 2014.
Web of Science Citations: 4
Abstract

The Brazilian phosphate industry is the sixth worldwide producer of phosphate rock concentrate generating phosphoric acid, fertilizers, intermediates for fertilizers and other products. Two of the most important of these industries are both located in the city of Cubatao-Sao Paulo, Brazil, and they are responsible for the production of P2O5, generating a residue known as phosphogypsum. The raw material, phosphate rock and products are commonly transported to the industrial complex by a railroad line and present in their composition natural radionuclides from the U and Th series and rare earth elements. Lichens have been used for monitoring atmospheric pollution and radiological contamination for a long time and have proven to be an important tool. This paper aims to highlight the use of the lichen specie Canoparmelia texana (family Parmeliacea) as a bioindicator of atmospheric pollution by the natural radionuclides from the U and Th series and RREs due to the operation of these industries and the storage of their residue in the open air. Samples of these lichen specie were collected in the vicinity of the industries and the railroad. The radionuclides Ra-226, Ra-228 and Pb-210 were measured by alpha and beta counting, after radiochemical separation, and U-238, Th-232 as well as REEs were determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis. The results showed that the lichens present the same fingerprint as the phosphate rock and phosphogypsum, furthermore the cluster analysis of the results showed that the lichen samples collected near to the railroad line presented the highest values for all the elements studied. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 07/07351-2 - Utilization of lichens as bioindicators of atmospheric contamination by natural radionuclides (Ra-226, Ra-228, Pb-210 Po-210 and U e Th isotopes) and stable lead in areas affected by TENORM
Grantee:Barbara Paci Mazzilli
Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants