Biomonitoramento da qualidade do ar de regiões do Espírito Santo empregando folhas de Mangifera indica L.

Abstract

Metals are the most harmful atmospheric pollutants. However, they are not separately quantified by the official air monitoring control. A complementary method to control the air quality is the use of bioindicators. Biomonitoring of the air quality in the metropolitan area of Vitória, Guarapari and Bom Jesus da Lapa was conducted by analyzing samples of twelve mango tree (Mangifera indica L.) leaves from four sites of different anthropogenic activities, every three months during 2010. 26 elements were quantified in each sample: Al, As, Ba, Be, Ca, Cd, Pb, Co, Cu, Cr, S, Sr, Fe, P, Y, Li, Mn, Mg, Mo, Ni, K, Na, Ti, V , Y and Zn. The analysis was performed using an Optical Emission Spectrometer Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP OES). A total of 15 elements (Al, Ba, Ca, Cr, Cu, S, Zn, Sr, Fe, Mn, Mg, Ni, K, Na and Ti) were detected in M. indica. All metals, except K, showed a high concentration as compared with the reference values, Fe: 1009.0 ± 312.00 vs 46.6 ± 0.01 μg.g-1, Mg 237.25 ± 102.00 vs. 3.24 ± 0.01μg.g-1, for example. The K showed a negative correlation with all other detected metals. This finding could highlight potassium as a metal to indicate a low pollution area. The data of this investigation demonstrate that leaves of M. indica are an effective biomonitor for the presence of heavy metals.