title: A step towards the use of biomonitors as estimators of atmospheric PAHs for regulatory purposes.
abstract: One of the main drawbacks of using lichens to monitor atmospheric PAHs has been reported as the inexistence of studies aiming to translate PAH values in lichens into the atmospheric equivalents ones, in order to use this information for regulatory purposes. In this work, PAH concentrations in lichens were compared with PAH concentrations measured in a conventional active sampler in an outdoor environment for a 9-month span. Significant positive correlations between HMW-PAHs, Σ16 EPA-PAHs, and BaP equivalent concentrations in lichens and those in air (TSP) were found. Concentrations of Σ16 EPA-PAHs in lichens and air showed a seasonal variation, with highest values during winter and lowest values during summer. Meteorological variables - temperature, atmospheric pressure, relative humidity, and wind speed - showed to significantly influence PAH concentrations in both lichens and air. Based on the significant linear correlations, equations for translating PAH concentrations measured in lichens into equivalent ones for air were proposed for the first time, allowing a broader use of lichens' information regarding PAHs in monitoring schemes and decision-making.
authors.affiliation: Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciências, Centro de Biologia Ambiental (CBA), FCUL, Campo Grande, Bloco C2, Piso 5, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal.
authors.forename: Sofia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Augusto
authors.forename: Maria J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Máguas
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Branquinho
mesh_terms: D000388:Air / Q000032:analysis*; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D002138:Calibration; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D008011:Lichens / Q000378:metabolism*; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons