The Application of Active Biomonitoring with the Use of Mosses to Identify Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in an Atmospheric Aerosol

One year of active moss biomonitoring in the identification of PAHs in an urbanized area-prospects and implications

Classical monitoring of air pollution provides information on environmental quality but involves high costs. An alternative to this method is the use of bioindicators. The purpose of our work was to evaluate atmospheric aerosol pollution by selected polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons conducted as part of annual active biomonitoring ("moss-bag" technique) with the use of three moss species: Pleurozium schreberi, Sphagnum fallax, and Dicranum polysetum. The gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was utilized to determine certain 13 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Three seasonal variations in PAH concentrations have been observed as a result of the study. A fire on the toilet paper plant caused an increase of five new compounds: benzo(k)fluoranthene (BkF), benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), indeno(1.2.3)-cd_pyrene (IP), dibenzo(a.h)anthracene (Dah), and benzo(g.h.i)perylene (Bghi) in proximity after 8 months of exposure compared to previous months. The effect of meteorological conditions on the deposition of PAHs (mainly wind direction) in mosses was confirmed by principal component analysis (PCA). Dicranum polysetum moss accumulated on average 26.5% more PAHs than the other species, which allows considering its broader use in active biomonitoring. The "moss-bag" technique demonstrates its feasibility in assessing the source of PAH air pollution in a long-term study. It is recommended to use this biological method as a valuable tool in air quality monitoring.

Looking at moss through the bioeconomy lens: biomonitoring, bioaccumulation, and bioenergy potential

The field of bioeconomy has been experiencing a surge in interest in recent years as society increasingly recognizes the potential of utilizing renewable biological resources to create sustainable solutions for economic growth, resource management, and environmental protection. Despite its potential, there is a notable lack of studies exploring the utilization of moss as a viable resource within the bioeconomy framework. Aligned with this objective, this paper conducts a keyword analysis using the VOSviewer application to explore the applicability of mosses as a bioeconomy resource. While biomonitoring using mosses has been studied extensively, this paper shifts its focus to discuss advancements in this area. Moreover, it evaluates the viability of moss utilization for bioenergy production and concisely summarizes their application in microbial fuel cells. The review also highlights challenges pertinent to moss utilization and presents future prospects. The overarching goal of this review paper is to assess the potential and utilization prospects of mosses within the realms of bioaccumulation, air purification, and bioenergy. By offering a comprehensive summary of moss applications, performance, and viability across diverse sectors, this paper endeavors to promote the versatile application of mosses in various contexts. It repositions the discussion on mosses, accentuating their utilization potential prior to exploring conclusions and future prospects.

Biomonitoring of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack in South Kolkata, West Bengal, India: spatial and temporal variations

Attempts have been made in the present study for ascertaining the concentrations of atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) using passive biosamplers in preference to conventional air sampling methods. Mechanical stirring, sonication, Soxhlet technique and microwave-assisted Soxhlet extraction (MASE) were employed to extract PAHs from an evergreen plant (Murraya paniculata) leaves (having long life-span) sampled from polluted places of South Kolkata, India, with dense population and heavy traffic. Effects of extraction methods and operational parameters (solvent and time) on the recovery levels of PAHs were also investigated. Purified extracts, acquired through adsorption chromatography, were subjected to GC-MS and HPLC-UV analyses for qualitative and quantitative assessment of PAHs. Spatio-temporal distribution of accumulated PAHs across the sampling sites was monitored over premonsoon, postmonsoon and winter supported by pollutant source characterization. The results displayed that the extraction yields of Soxhlet (272.07 ± 26.15 μg g-1) and MASE (280.17 ± 15.46 μg g-1) were the highest among the four techniques. Conditions of extraction with toluene for 6 h were found to be most favorable for PAHs. In spatio-temporal analysis, total concentrations of PAHs in the foliar samples varied from 200.98 ± 2.72 to 550.79 ± 10.11 μg g-1 dry weight, and the highest values being recorded in the samples of Exide More because of daylong inexorable traffic flow/crowding increasing the burden of ambient PAHs. Widespread changes in meteorology exerted influence on seasonal concentrations of PAHs in plant leaves, and extent of leaf contamination by PAHs was observed extreme in winter followed by postmonsoon and then, premonsoon. Foliar accretion of PAHs differed in the study sites with diverse sources of emission from motor vehicles, fossil fuel and biomass burning along with other human interferences.

Pervasiveness, bioaccumulation and subduing environmental health challenges posed by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs): A systematic review to settle a one health strategy in Niger Delta, Nigeria

The crude oil-rich Niger Delta region of Nigeria is under threat due to anthropogenic activities that include mainly PAH contamination. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), multiple online searches were conducted using several databases (e.g. Cochrane Library, Scopus, Embase, National Library of Medicine, PubMed etc.) between October and November 2022 to collect evidence on pervasiveness, bioaccumulation and health challenges posed by PAH in Nigeria Niger Delta. Included studies were appraised for quality using the Standard for Quality Improvement Reporting Excellence (SQUIRE 2.0) framework and the Joanna Briggs (JB) checklist and retrieved data were analysed using the narrative synthesis method. With the indiscriminate exposure of the local inhabitants to PAH and a lack of public health policies that efficiently prevent exposure-associated adverse health events, there is a need for a collaborative and multi-disciplinary approach, cutting across boundaries of animal, human, and environmental health to undertake risk assessments, develop plans for response and control in an attempt to protect public health. The complex and wide distribution of PAHs within the Niger Delta region would benefit of the One Health strategy. Such systemic approach would help managing the harmful effects of PAHs on ecosystems, from environmental remedial approaches to measures to mitigate exposure-associated risks. One health, including environmental health and food safety, would help risk assessors and risk managers in prioritising actions for the prevention and mitigation of PAHs pollution and its spread and accumulation.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) levels in PM10 and bulk deposition using Mosspheres: A pilot study in an urban environment

Study air polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) capturing the spatial variability of their concentrations is not economically feasible with conventional methods. In the present work we tested, for the first time and under real conditions, the suitability for intensive monitoring and mapping these contaminants of innovative, cost-effective passive air samplers known as "Mosspheres". The Mosspheres, filled with a devitalised Sphagnum palustre L. moss clone, were placed in a 575 m. grid in a medium-sized European city for three months. Concentrations in the moss tissues of 15 priority PAHs, including benzo(a)pyrene, were determined and converted into PM₁₀ and bulk deposition with the equations proposed in a recent study. Low concentrations of PAHs were detected, with only a few enriched points never exceeding the legal thresholds, near industrial areas and busy roads. Despite these low PAH concentrations, Mosspheres were able to detect spatial structure for several PAHs and high-resolution pollution maps were constructed for these compounds. The results prove the high sensitivity and suitability of Mosspheres for mapping PAH levels and for quantitative (i.e. PAHs with 4 or more rings) and qualitative (3-ring PAHs) monitoring. Thus, this study supports their widespread application and its potential inclusion in European Directives on air quality control.

Microbead-Beating Extraction of Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds from Seabird Plasma and Whole Blood

Seabirds are widely regarded as an invaluable bioindicator of environmental health. Matrices including eggs and feathers have been used as non-lethal means to assess contaminant burdens. We have developed a new approach for extraction of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) from seabird plasma and serum based on automated microbead-beating homogenization and extraction. Commercially available bovine serum and plasma were purposely fortified with a suite of PACs separately at three dosing levels, placed inside a custom-made stainless-steel tube containing ceramic microbeads, and subjected to an extraction process using a Precellys tissue homogenizer. Tubes were shaken forcefully in three-dimensions, facilitating high mass-transfer of PACs from the matrix into the hexane extraction solvent. The accuracy of the method ranged from 55 to 120% and limits of detection and quantitation ranged from 0.1 to 8 and 0.2 to 27 pg/μL, respectively. The method exhibited good repeatability with both inter- and intra-day repeatability < 30%. The developed method represents an effective and efficient approach to extraction of PACs from important biological matrices.