Spatial modeling of PAHs in lichens for fingerprinting of multisource atmospheric pollution.
PAHs are toxic compounds emitted by several anthropogenic sources, which have a great impact on human health. We show, for the first time, how spatial models based on PAHs intercepted by lichens can be used for fingerprinting multisource atmospheric pollution in a regional area. Urban-industrial areas showed the highest atmospheric deposition of PAHs followed by urban > industrial > agricultural > forest Multivariate analysis of lichen data showed, for the first time, a clear distinction between various sources of PAHs in the same area: urban are dominated by 4-ring PAHs, forest by 3-ring PAHs, and industrial by 5- and 6-ring PAHs or by 2-ring PAHs (petrogenic or pyrogenic, respectively). Heavy metals were also used for supporting the fingerprinting of PAH sources, reinforcing the industrial origin of 5- and 6-ring PAHs and revealing their particular nature. The spatial structure of the models for different PAHs seems to be dependent on the following factors: size and hydrophilic character of different PAHs, type of emission sources (point or nonpoint), and dispersion associated with particulates of different sizes. Based on the long-term integration of PAHs in lichens, these spatial models will significantly improve our knowledge on the impact of PAH chronic-exposure to humans and ecosystems.
Augusto
Sofia
S
Faculty of Sciences, Centre for Environmental Biology (CBA), University of Lisbon, FCUL, Lisboa, Portugal.
Máguas
Cristina
C
Matos
João
J
Pereira
Maria João
MJ
Soares
Amílcar
A
Branquinho
Cristina
C
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000032:analysis; D017753:Ecosystem; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008011:Lichens / Q000737:chemistry*; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis; D015233:Models, Statistical; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis*; D011174:Portugal
D000393:Air Pollutants; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons