Monitoreo activo de la calidad del aire en la ciudad de Loja usando Briófitos

Abstract

Abstract:The bryophytes have a high capacity to retain heavy metals, being biomonitors suitable for air pollutants in urban environments, therefore, they have been widely used in studies of active air quality monitoring. In this study we analyzed the concentrations of heavy metals in transplanted bryophytes in 10 locations throughout the north, center and south of the city of Loja. Significant differences were found in the concentrations of Al, Cr, Mn, Fe and Zn between the studied areas and the control samples. Thus, the results point to the downtown area as the main focus of pollution, presenting the highest concentrations of Al, Fe, Mn and Zn, related to vehicular traffic. The bryophytes used as biomonitors provided valuable information on the presence of Al, Cr, Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn in the urban area of ​​the city of Loja, so they can be used in future air quality monitoring programs.