Mangifera indica L. as airborne metal biomonitor for regions of the state of Espírito Santo (Brazil).

Abstract

Inorganic pollutants are continuously introduced into the atmosphere. Bioindicators present an alternative method of monitoring air quality. This work proposes to evaluate the Mangifera indica L. leaves as a biomonitor for air quality. Quantification of aluminum (Al), barium (Ba), calcium (Ca), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), potassium (K), manganese (Mn), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), nickel (Ni), sulfur (S), strontium (Sr), titanium (Ti), and zinc (Zn) were determined in leaves of M. indica using optical emission spectrometer inductively coupled plasma (ICP-OES). The correlogram analyses demonstrated a strong positive correlation between Al and Fe. Contamination of the soil by vehicles and agricultural chemicals, in synergy with the influence of the winds, may be considered as a source of contamination. Enrichment factor (EF) index was used to distinguish between natural and anthropogenic sources. Detection of Mn and Cu could be associated with anthropogenic influence, demonstrating M. indica as a feasible tool to biomonitor air quality.