Integrated assessment of air pollution by metals and source apportionment using ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) in southern Brazil

Abstract

One of the biggest environmental problems existing today is air pollution, which is characterized by the presence of toxic gases and metal pollutants, the latter of which is generally associated with emissions of particulate matter (PM) from industries or automotive vehicles. Biomonitoring is a method that can be used to assess air pollution levels because it makes it possible to determine what effects these air pollutants cause in living organisms and their responses. The species Lolium multiflorum Lam., known as ryegrass, is considered a good bioindicator of metals, since it accumulates these substances during exposure. This study proposes to conduct an integrated assessment of air quality using two different monitoring methodologies: biomonitoring with L. multiflorum and active monitoring in areas with different levels of urbanization and industrialization. Concentrations found in ryegrass plants revealed high levels of Pb, Cr, Zn, and Cu, indicating that vehicular and industrial emissions were the main sources of pollution. Analysis of PM also revealed soot and biogenic particles, which can transport metals. Therefore, with the proposed method, the anthropogenic impact on air pollution in the investigated area could be clearly demonstrated.

Assessment of metals in PM10 filters and Araucaria heterophylla needles in two areas of Quito, Ecuador

“…High-volume air samplers are a conventional monitoring technique, which allow to collect PM on a filter and perform the chemical analysis later (Gonz alez et al, 2018;Morera-G omez et al, 2018;Ramírez et al, 2018). On the other hand, the use of plants to identify changes in environmental quality is an ideal low-cost alternative ( Avila et al, 2019;Illi et al, 2017;Solgi et al, 2020;Turkyilmaz et al, 2018a). The ability of plants to assimilate trace metals from the surrounding atmosphere and bioaccumulate them in their tissues has made plants the most suitable biological air monitors (Sevik et al, 2019;Turkyilmaz et al, 2018b).…”

Physiological and Gene Expression Responses of Six Annual Ryegrass Cultivars to Cobalt, Lead, and Nickel Stresses

“…Annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) is a widely distributed good-quality forage grass, and it can be used as an indicator plant in heavy metal-contaminated environments [13]. Compared with white clover and alfalfa, annual ryegrass is more tolerant to Cd [14].…”

Accumulation of Airborne Toxic Elements and Photosynthetic Performance of Lolium multiflorum L. Leaves

“…Several plants are used as bioindicators of air pollution, such as tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L. [21], white campion (Melandrium album), and black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) [22], or other trees and shrubs [23]. There is also great interest in standardized Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.) as an easy-to-apply and low-cost HM bioindicator [24]. This plant belongs to the Poaceae family and is widely cultivated as a pasture plant and material for bio-ethanol production [25].…”