Boonpeng Chaiwat, Polyiam Wetchasart, Sriviboon Chutima, Sangiamdee Duangkamon, Watthana Santi, Nimis Pier Luigi, Boonpragob Kansri
Lichen Research Unit, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ramkhamhaeng University, Hua Mark, Bangkok, 10240, Thailand.
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Ramkhamhaeng University, Hua Mark, Bangkok, 10240, Thailand.
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2017 May;24(13):12393-12404. doi: 10.1007/s11356-017-8893-9. Epub 2017 Mar 30.
Several trace elements discharged by the petrochemical industry are toxic to humans and the ecosystem. In this study, we assessed airborne trace elements in the vicinity of the Map Ta Phut petrochemical industrial complex in Thailand by transplanting the lichen Parmotrema tinctorum to eight industrial, two rural, and one clean air sites between October 2013 and June 2014. After 242 days, the concentrations of As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Ti, V, and Zn in lichens at most industrial sites were higher than those at the rural and the control sites; in particular, As, Cu, Mo, Sb, V, and Zn were significantly higher than at the control site (p < 0.05). Contamination factors (CFs) indicated that Cd, Cu, Mo, and Sb, which have severe health impacts, heavily contaminated at most industrial sites. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that most elements were associated with industry, with lesser contributions from traffic and agriculture. Based on the pollution load indexes (PLIs), two industrial sites were highly polluted, five were moderately polluted, and one had a low pollution level, whereas the pollution load at the rural sites was comparable to background levels. This study reinforces the utility of lichens as cost-effective biomonitors of airborne elements, suitable for use in developing countries, where adequate numbers of air monitoring instruments are unavailable due to financial, technical, and policy constraints.
石化行业排放的几种微量元素对人类和生态系统有毒。在本研究中，我们于2013年10月至2014年6月期间，通过将地衣染料石蕊移植到泰国马塔府石化工业园区附近的8个工业区、2个农村地区和1个清洁空气站点，评估了空气中的微量元素。242天后，大多数工业区地衣中砷、镉、钴、铬、铜、汞、钼、镍、铅、锑、钛、钒和锌的浓度高于农村地区和对照站点；特别是，砷、铜、钼、锑、钒和锌显著高于对照站点（p < 0.05）。污染因子（CFs）表明，对健康有严重影响的镉、铜、钼和锑在大多数工业区受到严重污染。主成分分析（PCA）表明，大多数元素与工业有关，交通和农业的贡献较小。基于污染负荷指数（PLIs），两个工业区污染严重，五个中度污染，一个污染水平较低，而农村地区的污染负荷与背景水平相当。本研究强化了地衣作为空气中元素的经济有效生物监测器的效用，适用于由于资金、技术和政策限制而缺乏足够数量空气监测仪器的发展中国家。
