Heavy metals in atmospheric dust deposited in leaves of Acacia farnesiana (Fabaceae) and Prosopis laevigata (Fabaceae)

Authors

  • Jorge Alcalá Jáuregui Research professor. Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary. Autonomous University of San Luis Potosí. Km 14.5 Carretera San Luis-Matehuala Apartado Postal 32. C. P. 78321. Soledad de Graciano Sánchez. San Luis Potosí. México
  • Juan C. Rodríguez Ortiz Research professor. Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary. Autonomous University of San Luis Potosí. Km 14.5 Carretera San Luis-Matehuala Apartado Postal 32. C. P. 78321. Soledad de Graciano Sánchez. San Luis Potosí. México
  • Alejandra Hernández Montoya Research professor. Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary. Autonomous University of San Luis Potosí. Km 14.5 Carretera San Luis-Matehuala Apartado Postal 32. C. P. 78321. Soledad de Graciano Sánchez. San Luis Potosí. México
  • María Flavia Filippini Faculty of Agricultural Sciences. National University of Cuyo
  • Eduardo Martinez Carretero Geobotany and Phytogeography. IADIZA (CONICET)
  • Paola Elizabeth Díaz Flores Research professor. Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary. Autonomous University of San Luis Potosí. Km 14.5 Carretera San Luis-Matehuala Apartado Postal 32. C. P. 78321. Soledad de Graciano Sánchez. San Luis Potosí. México
  • Ángel Natanael Rojas Velázquez Research professor. Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary. Autonomous University of San Luis Potosí. Km 14.5 Carretera San Luis-Matehuala Apartado Postal 32. C. P. 78321. Soledad de Graciano Sánchez. San Luis Potosí. México
  • Humberto Rodríguez-Fuentes Faculty of Agriculture. Autonomous University of Nuevo León
  • Félix Alfredo Beltrán Morales Department of Agronomy. Autonomous University of Baja California Sur

Keywords:

pollution, arborean plants, land uses, environmental impact

Abstract

Atmospheric dust establishes an element of study to know the distribution of pollutant particles such as heavy metals and their effects on ecological systems. The objective was to determine the elemental composition of particles deposited in two species of trees as an indicator of environmental impact in San Luis Potosí, México. The distribution of Acacia farnesiana and Prosopis laevigata trees was taken into account in five soil uses to collect leaf material and extract atmospheric dust during the spring and summer seasons, determining the concentration of heavy metals using the ICP-MS technique. The results indicated the presence of Al> Cu> Zn> Pb> V> As> Ni> Cd> Ti> Cr> Co. Correlations with values of r2> 0.90 were presented between V-Ti, Ni-V, Ni-Ti, Al-Ti and Cr-V. The species factor conditioned the concentrations of Al, Ti, V, Cr, Ni and Zn mainly in the particles deposited in Prosopis leaves. Particles of nine elements were conditioned by the activities of the five land uses, where the use of mineral soil affected by the presence of Al, Cd, Co, Pb, Cu and Zn. Concentrations of Cd were 6.2 times higher in the use of mining soil than in the agricultural sector; 5.9 and 5.4 times the concentrations of Co and Pb in the use of mining soil with respect to the trade and service respectively. The season had only significant effects on Cr and Pb particles. This study indicates the existence of pollutants that can affect ecological systems so it falls within the context of continued evaluation of environmental impacts.

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Published

01-12-2018

Issue

Section

Natural resources and environment

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