Scientists' Contributions

Recent Trends in Biomonitoring of Atmospheric Pollution with an Emphasis on Trace Elements

M.C. Freitas¹, A.M.G. Pacheco², M.A. Reis¹, L.I.C. Barros²

¹ DEA-ITN (Nuclear and Technological Institute), E.N. 10, 2686-953 Sacav‚m, Portugal

² CVRM-IST (Technical University of Lisbon), Av. Rovisco Pais 1, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal

    This paper gives an overview of major lines in research and development that emerged from a recent, specialised meeting on biological monitoring of airborne pollutants - BioMAP 2000, 2nd International Workshop on Biomonitoring of Atmospheric Pollution (with emphasis on trace elements), which was held last summer in Azores under the auspices of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Other than addressing some general issues concerning the assessment, modelling and management of air pollution, the presentation will be focused on the fate and extent of trace metals in the terrestrial environment. However, it should be noticed that a significant number of investigations into miscellaneous contaminants from anthropogenic and natural sources (e.g. artificial and natural radionuclides, ozone, sea salt) were reported as well, which truly reflects the versatility and cost-effectiveness of biological monitoring, especially when it comes to large-scale surveys of airborne contaminants. On the other hand, and despite an expected preponderance of work with lichens and bryophytes, many relevant results were also obtained from higher plants or parts of them (bark, leaves, needles, fruits), leaving an impression that vascular species have been somewhat undervalued as to their monitoring potential - mostly on an a priori basis - and that is perhaps now the time to re-evaluate their actual monitoring skills. Last yet by no means least, the amount of information that can usually be gathered from biomonitoring systems seems to be acting as a catalyst for an improvement in data analysis/qualification and model development/ implementation, while providing a cutting edge for analytical procedures, namely for nuclear techniques that are able to deal with several elements at the same time.