Evaluation of air pollution tolerance index and anticipated performance index of six plant species, in an urban tropical valley: Medellin, Colombia.

High atmospheric pollution levels in urban areas have become a global problem that threatens both human health and urban ecosystems. Trees that grow near areas with vehicular and industrial emissions can be highly affected, since they constitute the main barrier for emitted pollutants, with trees being either tolerant or sensitive to them. Different methodologies worldwide have been implemented to evaluate the tolerance and sensitivity of tree species to atmospheric pollutants. In this research, the air pollution tolerance index (APTI) and the anticipated performance index (API) are evaluated in order to determine both the degree of tolerance or sensitivity of trees to pollutants in the air and their performance in urban areas. To this end, six tree species found in four biomonitoring zones in the city of Medellín, Colombia, were selected: Mangifera indica, Tabebuia chrysantha-rosea, Erythrina fusca, Jacaranda mimosifolia, Fraxinus uhdei, and Spathodea campanulata. A total of 54 individual trees were evaluated by means of the APTI and API, and it was determined that the species with the highest tolerance (APTI≥16) and the best performance (81

Spatial distribution of lichen communities and air pollution mapping in a tropical city: Medellín, Colombia / Distribución espacial de las comunidades de líquenes y mapeo de la contaminación del aire en una ciudad tropical: Medellín, Colombia

Abstract Introduction: Enough scientific evidence is available on the harmful effects of air pollution on the health of human beings, fauna, flora, and ecosystems in general. The mechanical and electronical monitoring networks are the first option for the air quality diagnosis, but they do not allow a direct and precise assessment of the impacts in living organisms that may result from the exposure to air pollutants. Objective: To evaluate the changes in the composition of corticulous lichen communities as a response to various stress factors in areas with different levels of air quality to diagnose the state of pollution or intervention in an area with a more complete option. Methods: Air quality contrasts and changes in richness and coverage of corticulous lichens in response to different stress factors, such as land use and distance to roads, in three different biomonitoring areas, were evaluate using GIS, and the data are presented in an easy-to-understand grey scale coded isoline map. Results: Indicators such as lichen coverage (R= -0.4) and richness (R= -0.7) are inverse correlated with PM2.5 concentrations in each area. A total of 110 lichen species were identified, being Phaeophyscia chloantha (Ach.) Moberg and Physcia poncinsii Hue the most frequent species (present in 38 and 33 % of the 86 sampled phorophytes, respectively). The intra-area relationships of lichen richness exhibit significant relationships with regards to the land use and distance to roads (with correlations coefficients greater than 0.5) and the Simpson index was higher than 0.9, in places with better conditions in terms of air quality and microenvironments, likewise the resistance factors calculated suggest that the most sensitive species can be found in environments with a lesser degree of disturbance. Conclusion: These evaluations represent more criteria elements for the diagnosis of the environmental health in the biomonitoring areas.

Resumen Introducción: Existe suficiente evidencia científica de los efectos nocivos de la contaminación atmosférica sobre la salud de los seres humanos, fauna, flora y ecosistemas en general. La primera opción para el diagnóstico de la calidad del aire son las redes de monitoreo mecánicas o electrónicas, pero estas no permiten evaluar de forma directa y precisa el impacto en los organismos vivos como resultado de la exposición a contaminantes del aire. Objetivo: Evaluar los cambios en la composición de las comunidades de líquenes cortícolas como resultado a la exposición de factores de estrés ambiental en áreas con diferentes niveles de calidad del aire para diagnosticar el estado de contaminación o intervención en una zona de una manera más completa. Métodos: Se determinaron los contrastes y cambios en la calidad del aire, la riqueza y cobertura de líquenes cortícolas en respuesta a diferentes factores de estrés, como usos del suelo y distancia a carreteras, en tres diferentes áreas de biomonitoreo, las cuales fueron evaluadas usando GIS. Los datos se presentan en un mapa de isolíneas con códigos en escala de grises fácil de entender. Resultados: Indicadores como cobertura (R= -0.4) y riqueza (R= -0.7) de líquenes están inversamente correlacionados con las concentraciones de PM2.5 en cada área. Se identificaron un total de 110 especies de líquenes, siendo Phaeophyscia chloantha (Ach.) Moberg y Physcia poncinsii Hue las especies más frecuentes (presentes en 38 y 33 % de los 86 forófitos muestreados, respectivamente). Las relaciones intra-área de riqueza de líquenes exhiben relaciones significativas con respecto al uso del suelo y distancia a carreteras (con coeficientes de correlación mayores a 0.5) y el índice de Simpson fue mayor a 0.9, en lugares con mejores condiciones en términos de calidad del aire y microambientes. Asimismo, los factores de resistencia calculados sugieren que las especies más sensibles se pueden encontrar en ambientes con menor grado de perturbación. Conclusión: Estas evaluaciones representan más elementos de criterio para el diagnóstico de la salud ambiental en las áreas de biomonitoreo.

Contaminación ambiental por PM10 dentro y fuera del domicilio y capacidad respiratoria en Puerto Nare, Colombia / PM10 environmental pollution in and around housing and respiratory capacity in Puerto Nare, Colombia

Objetivo Explorar la relación entre niveles de PM10 intra y extradomiciliario y la función pulmonar de los habitantes, corregimiento La Sierra, Puerto Nare, Antioquia-Colombia. Materiales y Métodos Mediante encuesta y observación, se determinaron condiciones ambientales y del entorno inmediato de viviendas correspondientes a 124 habitantes a los cuales se había realizado el examen espirométrico; se monitorearon condiciones meteorológicas: temperatura, humedad relativa, precipitación, velocidad del viento y PM10 (24 horas) al interior y exterior de las casas. Resultados En el 50 % de las viviendas el PM10 interior (0,05mg/m³) fue

Objective Exploring the relationship between PM10 intra- and extra-domiciliary levels and the lung function of people living in La Sierra, Antioquia, Colombia. Materials and Methods A survey and field observations were used for determining the environmental conditions and the immediate household environment of 124 people who had taken a spirometric test. Meteorological conditions were monitored: temperature, relative humidity, rainfall, wind speed and PM10 (24 hours) within and outside the houses. Results Indoor PM10 (0.05 mg/m³) in 50 % of the houses was

[PM10 environmental pollution in and around housing and respiratory capacity in Puerto Nare, Colombia]. / Contaminación ambiental por PM10 dentro y fuera del domicilio y capacidad respiratoria en Puerto Nare, Colombia.

OBJECTIVE: Exploring the relationship between PM10 intra- and extra-domiciliary levels and the lung function of people living in La Sierra, Antioquia, Colombia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A survey and field observations were used for determining the environmental conditions and the immediate household environment of 124 people who had taken a spirometric test. Meteorological conditions were monitored: temperature, relative humidity, rainfall, wind speed and PM10 (24 hours) within and outside the houses. RESULTS: Indoor PM10 (0.05 mg/m3) in 50 % of the houses was