Assessing atmospheric particulate matter distribution based on Saturation Isothermal Remanent Magnetization of herbaceous and tree leaves in a tropical urban environment.
Particulate matter (PM) emissions, and the associated human health risks, are likely to continue increasing in urban environments of developing countries like Abidjan (Ivory Cost). This study evaluated the potential of leaves of several herbaceous and tree species as bioindicators of urban particulate matter pollution, and its variation over different land use classes, in a tropical area. Four species well distributed (presence frequencies >90%) over all land use classes, easy to harvest and whose leaves are wide enough to be easily scanned were selected, i.e.: Amaranthus spinosus (Amaranthaceae), Eleusine indica (Poaceae), Panicum maximum (Poaceae) and Ficus benjamina (Moraceae). Leaf sampling of these species was carried out at 3 distances from the road and at 3 height levels. Traffic density was also noted and finally biomagnetic parameters of these leaves were determined. Results showed that Saturation Isothermal Remanent Magnetization (SIRM) of leaves was at least 4 times higher (27.5×10(-6)A) in the vicinity of main roads and industrial areas than in parks and residential areas. The main potential sources of PM pollution were motor vehicles and industries. The slightly hairy leaves of the herbaceous plant A. spinosus and the waxy leaves of the tree F. benjamina showed the highest SIRM (25×10(-6)A). Leaf SIRM increased with distance to road (R(2)>0.40) and declined with sampling height (R(2)=0.17). The distance between 0 and 5m from the road seemed to be the most vulnerable in terms of PM pollution. This study has showed that leaf SIRM of herbaceous and tree species can be used to assess PM exposure in tropical urban environments.
Université Jean Lorougnon Guédé, Unité de Formation et de Recherche en Environnement, BP 150 Daloa, Côte d'Ivoire; University of Antwerp, Department of Bioscience Engineering, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerpen, Belgium. Electronic address: byssabas@gmail.com.
Yao Sadaiou Sabas
YS
Barima
Université Jean Lorougnon Guédé, Unité de Formation et de Recherche en Environnement, BP 150 Daloa, Côte d'Ivoire.
Djédoux Maxime
DM
Angaman
Université Jean Lorougnon Guédé, Unité de Formation et de Recherche en Environnement, BP 150 Daloa, Côte d'Ivoire.
Kobenan Pierre
KP
N'gouran
Université Nangui Abrogoua, 02 BP 801 Abidjan 02, Côte d'Ivoire.
N'guessan Achille
NA
Koffi
University of Antwerp, Department of Bioscience Engineering, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerpen, Belgium; University of Mazandaran, Faculty of Sciences, P.O. Box: 416, Babolsar, Mazandaran, Iran.
Fatemeh
F
Kardel
Université Libre de Bruxelles, Service d'Ecologie du Paysage et Systèmes de Production Végétale, Avenue Franklin Roosevelt 50, 1050 Bruxelles, Belgium.
Charles
C
De Cannière
University of Antwerp, Department of Bioscience Engineering, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerpen, Belgium.
Roeland
R
Samson
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D001272:Atmosphere / Q000737:chemistry; D007560:Cote d'Ivoire; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000032:analysis*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry*; D014197:Trees / Q000737:chemistry
D000393:Air Pollutants; D052638:Particulate Matter
Bioindicator; Leaf SIRM; Local air quality; Particulate matter; Tropical urban