Quantification of Airborne Particulate Matter and Trace Element Deposition on Hedera helix and Senecio cineraria Leaves

Abstract

In both developed and developing countries, atmospheric pollution with particulate matter (PM) remains an important issue. Despite the health effects of poor air quality, studies on air pollutionare often limited by the high costs of continuous monitoring and the need for extensive sampling.Furthermore, these particles are often enriched with potentially toxic trace elements and organic pollutants. This study evaluates both the composition of atmospheric dust accumulated during a certain timespan on Hedera helix and Senecio cineraria leaves and the potential for their use as bio-monitors. The test plants were positioned near automatic air quality monitoring stations at four different sites with respectively high, moderate and low traffic intensity. The gravimetric deposition of PM10 and PM2.5 on leaves was compared with data recorded by the monitoring stations and related to the weather conditions reported by Argentina’s National Meteorological Service. To determine the presence of trace elements enriching the PM deposited on leaves, two analytical techniques were applied: XRF (not destructive) and ICP (destructive). The results indicated that only in the unpaved street location (site 2) did PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations (90 μg m−3 and 9 μg m−3) in the air exceed more than five times WHO guidelines (15 μg m−3 and 5 μg m−3). However, several trace elements were found to be enriching PM deposited on leaves from all sites. Predominantly, increased concentrations of Cd, Cu, Ti, Mn, Zn and Fe were found, which were associated with construction, traffic and unpaved street sources. Furthermore, based on its capability to sequester above 2800 μg cm−2 of PM10, 2450 μg cm−2 of PM2.5 and trace elements, Senecio cineraria can be taken into consideration for adoption as a bio-monitor or even for PM mitigation.