Environmental assessment in an industrial area of Portugal

Abstract

The region of Lisbon and south of Lisbon (Sado estuary) is densely industrialized, and, therefore, air pollution should be studied in a more detailed scale there. The topography of the Sado estuary region and the predominant wind direction from the northwest contribute to the influence in this region of the industries located in the north. The region selected includes a fuel-fired power station. Transplants of the lichen Parmelia sulcata Taylor were suspended in nylon bags within a rectangle 15 km wide and 25 km long on a grid 2.5 km x 2.5 km, centered in the power station. In each of the 47 sites, 2 sets of 4 transplants each were hung. Care was taken (1) in covering the two sets with a polyethylene roof to prevent leaching of elements in the lichen, (2) in building a hanging system that could rotate according to the wind direction, and (3) in orienting one set toward the wind and the other set opposite the wind. For a 1-yr period and every 3 mo, one transplant of each set is collected. In this work, the results of the first campaign (after 3 mo suspension) obtained by instrumental neutron activation analysis and proton-induced X-ray emission are shown. Some elemental contents are mapped and discussed.

Arsenic accumulation in lichens of Mandav monuments, Dhar district, Madhya Pradesh, India

“…The substances from the environment are acquired by lichens either by entrapment of particles from the air or substrate or by extra-and/or intra-cellular uptake of ions from solution (Brown and Beckett 1984). Among various atmospheric monitors, lichens have been widely used for spatial and temporal deposition of several elemental pollutants such as arsenic in national and regional surveys (Sloof 1991;Freitas et al 1999). Though a number of studies related with different metal accumulation in lichens are available, however, only few data about arsenic in lichens are known.…”

Selenium Levels in Mainland Portugal

“…(2) ITN/EDP (Electricity of Portugal) 1990-1991and 1994-1995monitoring contracts (Freitas et al, 1996Reis et al, 1999aReis et al, , 2000Reis, 2001); (3) Lichen transplantation studies in estuarine Sado 1997-1998(Reis et al, 1999bFreitas et al, 1999Freitas et al, , 2001Costa et al, 2002); and (4) Bobadela urban-waste incinerator surveillance program 1999surveillance program -2002surveillance program (Freitas et al, 2002Almeida, 2004).…”

Cell-Membrane Damage and Element Leaching in Transplanted Parmelia sulcata Lichen Related to Ambient SO2, Temperature, and Precipitation

“…Sampling and Experiment. The procedures for collection, preparation, and exposure of the lichens were similar to the approaches in previous Portuguese studies with lichen transplants ( − ). Samples of the epiphytic lichen ( Parmelia sulcata ) with their substrate were collected from olive trees at about 1.5 m above the soil in the Mafra/Ericeira region.…”