Use of Atmospheric Epiphyte Tillandsia usneoides (Bromeliaceae) as Biomonitor

Exploring research on ecotechnology through artificial intelligence and bibliometric maps

Ecotechnology, quintessential for crafting sustainable socio-environmental strategies, remains tantalizingly uncharted. Our analysis, steered by the nuances of machine learning and augmented by bibliometric insights, delineates the expansive terrain of this domain, elucidates pivotal research themes and conundrums, and discerns the vanguard nations in this field. Furthermore, we deftly connect our discoveries to the United Nations' 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, thereby accentuating the profound societal ramifications of ecotechnology.

Ecotoxicological assessments of atmospheric biomonitors exposed to urban pollution in a Brazilian metropolis

Subcellular metal distribution assessments are the most adequate biomonitoring approach to evaluate metal toxicity, instead of total metal assessments This study aimed to assess subcellular metal distributions and associations to the main metal exposure biomarker, metallothionein (MT), in two bromeliad species (Tillandsia usneoides and Tillandsia stricta) exposed established in industrial, urban, and port areas in the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro, southeastern Brazil, through an active biomonitoring approach conducted one year. Metals and metalloids in three subcellular fractions (insoluble, thermolabile and thermostable) obtained from the MT purification process were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Lower MT concentrations were observed both during the dry sampling periods, associated to the crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) and during the COVID-19 pandemic, due to reduced urban mobility, decreasing pollutant emissions. The percentage of non-bioavailable metals detected in the insoluble fraction increased throughout the sampling period for both species. Several metals (Cr, Co, Cu, Cd, Mn, Ni, Se, and Zn), most associated with vehicle emissions, the main pollutant source in urban centers, were detected in the thermostable fraction and are, thus, associated with MT through the MT-metal detoxification route. Insoluble metal concentrations were higher in T. stricta, indicating that this species seems less susceptible to cellular metal exposure damage. A potential protective effect of Se and Fe was detected against Pb, suggested by a strong negative correlation, which may be attributed to antioxidant roles and similar uptake routes, respectively.

Atmospheric Metal Biomonitoring Along a Highway Near Atlantic Rainforest Environmental Protection Areas in Southeastern Brazil

Vehicles are quite possibly the main sources of particulate matter, and their emissions can cause damage to surrounding ecosystems. Traditional atmospheric monitoring, however, is expensive. Therefore, airborne biomonitoring is an alternative method that allows for air quality assessment. In this study, we evaluated air quality at a federal highway (BR-040) close to Atlantic Rainforest remnants by quantifying metals in biomonitor tissues by ICP-MS. Tillandsia usneoides and Tillandsia stricta plants were relocated to the investigation zone and collected after five months of exposure. Metal concentration profiles were evaluated using statistical analyses, namely exposure-to-reference (ER) ratios and enrichment factors (EF). Results indicate that V, Cr, Fe, Cu, Zn and Sn enrichment were observed in all study sites. The EF for Cr, Mn, Pb, Ni, Co, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Sn ranged from high to very high, indicating anthropogenic sources. Both species were effective atmospheric biomonitors, proving to be an important tool, mainly in areas where conventional monitoring is not possible.

Biomonitoring of Potentially Toxic Elements in Two Polluted Areas from Lurigancho-Chosica Using the genus Tillandsia latifolia and T. purpurea as Biomonitor

In the present study, an urban and industrial area were evaluated through a biomonitoring study employing the Tillandsia purpurea and T. latifolia species as a biomonitor. Plants were collected from a non-contaminated area and transplanted and exposed for three months into study areas to determine metal accumulation. Sixteen elements (Al, As, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sb, V, and Zn) were measured using ICP-MS analysis. Datasets were assessed by one-way ANOVA, exposed-to-baseline (EB) ratio, and principal component analysis. Results showed significant differences among study areas for most elements, but no differences were found between species. According to EB ratios, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, Sb, V, and Zn showed EB ratios > 1.75 for both Tillandsia species around the industrial area, indicating influence from the Smelter plant. Ba, Sb, and Zn showed EB ratios > .1.75 in the urban area for both plants, indicating the releasing of pollutants from vehicular sources. PCA showed that most elements are derived from vehicular sources, industrial activities, and dust resuspension.

Tree species as a biomonitor of metal pollution in arid Mediterranean environments: case for arid southern Tunisia

We investigated the accumulation of Zn, Cu, Pb, and Cd in the soil and the leaves and bark of five common tree species (Eucalyptus occidentalis Endl., Acacia salicina Lindl., Cupressus sempervirens L., Casuarina equisetifolia L., and Tamarix aphylla (L.) Karst.) in the city of Gabès Tunisia to elucidate their bioaccumulation potential and determine their usefulness as biomonitors of metallic pollution in arid urban areas. Our results indicated that the bark had higher mean concentrations of Pb and Cd than leaves. In contrast, the leaves had higher mean concentrations of Zn and Cu than bark. No hyperaccumulation was detected for any of the analyzed metals in any of the studied species. E. occidentalis and T. aphylla had the highest mean concentrations of the investigated metals in leaves and bark. Based on the calculated metal accumulation index (MAI) values, these two species accumulated more metals than other studied tree species. Likewise, the concentrations of Zn, Cu, Pb, and Cd in soil had significant positive correlations with that in leaves and bark. Accordingly, E. occidentalis could be used for biomonitoring in arid areas subjected to industrial and traffic pollution. T. aphylla would be a good alternative when native species are a priority.

Effect of trichome structure of Tillandsia usneoides on deposition of particulate matter under flow conditions

The removal of particulate matters (PM) has emerged as one of the most significant issues in public health and environment worldwide. Environmentalists have proposed the use of indoor air-purifying plants as an eco-friendly strategy to resolve PM-related problems and effectively remove fine particulate matter (PM_2.5). Among air-purifying plants, Tillandsia usneoides (L.) L. (T. usneoides) has been used as a biomonitor for heavy metals and air pollutants. However, the PM removal effect of T. usneoides and its primary mechanism remain unclear. Here, we investigated the PM removal performance of T. usneoides in a closed chamber under flow conditions, the effects of trichomes, and the array density according to the different types of PM. The chamber with bulk T. usneoides under flow conditions exhibited 16.5 % and 9.2 % higher removal efficiency in PM_2.5T. usneoides for incense and A1 rigid PM, respectively, than that without T. usneoides. T. usneoides with trichome structure exhibited larger removal efficiencies of 7% and 2% in PM_2.5 and PM₁₀, respectively, than without trichome for incense particles. In addition, the increase in total effective surface was effective for the deposition of both PM types. The increase in effective surface area by trichome structure and array density of T. usneoides is a crucial factor for the deposition of PM.

Tillandsia usneoides as biomonitors of trace elements contents in the atmosphere of the mining district of Cartagena-La Unión (Spain): New insights for element transfer and pollution source tracing

Nowadays, atmospheric pollution has a major impact on the human health and the environment, encouraging the development of biomonitors of the air quality over a wide zone. In this study, the relevance of the epiphyte plants Tillandsia usneoides is studied to estimate the transfer of metal(loid)s from a former Zn and Pb mining zone in the Southeast of Spain (Cartagena-La Unión) to the local atmosphere. Biomonitoring was performed by installing plants in 5 sites along a transect from the main mining area to the urban and the coastal zones. An aliquot of plants was collected in every site every 2 months over 1 year. The Tillandsia usneoides have been observed with SEM-EDX, and analysed by ICP-MS to determine trace element concentrations, magnetic susceptibility signals and Zn and Pb isotopes ratios. Results show that atmospheric particles are distributed homogeneously at the plant surface. By comparing elemental contents in Tillandsia usneoides with regard to the values of the geochemical background of the region of Murcia, significant enrichments are observed in the epiphyte plants for Sb, As, Cd, Zn and Pb. The statistical analyses (decentred PCA and PLS) also suggest that the kinetics of dust deposition is slower for the urban and coastal sites compared to the mining sites and highlight an influence of agricultural activities in Cu deposition. The similarity of isotopic compositions (Zn and Pb) between Tillandsia usneoides, soils and atmospheric particles also put in evidence that these plants could be a powerful tool to trace the source of matter in the atmosphere. Finally, this experiment provides new insight to better understand the foliar absorption mechanisms.

Tillandsia usneoides: a successful alternative for biomonitoring changes in air quality due to a new highway in São Paulo, Brazil

Tillandsia usneoides is an aerial epiphytic bromeliad that absorbs water and nutrients directly from the atmosphere by scales covering its surface. We expanded the use of this species as a broader biomonitor based on chemical and structural markers to detect changes in air quality. The usefulness of such comprehensive approach was tested during the construction and opening of a highway (SP-21) in São Paulo State, Brazil. The biomonitoring study was performed from 2009 to 2012, thus comprising the period during construction and after the highway inauguration. Metal accumulation and structural alterations were assessed, in addition to microscopy analyses to understand the metal chelation in plant tissues and to assess the causes of alterations in the number and shape of scale cells. Altogether, our analyses support the use of this species as a wide biomonitor of air quality in urbanized areas.