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- Title
Ficus benjamina leaves as indicator of atmospheric pollution: a reconaissance study.
- Authors
Reyes, Bertha; Ruiz, Rubén; Martínez-Cruz, Juan; Bautista, Francisco; Goguitchaichvili, Avto; Carvallo, Claire; Morales, Juan
- Abstract
We present a diagnostic study to evaluate the suitability of Ficus benjamina tree leaves as a captor of heavy metal particles from atmospheric dusts in urban areas. Leaf samples were taken at 16 localities within three areas in Morelia, state of Michoacán (Mexico's medium size city, 830000 inhabitants). Measurements of magnetic susceptibility were conducted to determine the magnetic enhancement using samples from green, relatively unpolluted area, as a reference. The samples collected at areas with heavy traffic (main avenues) yielded values almost ten times higher than the values obtained for the unpolluted reference. Isothermal Remanent Magnetization curves are proportional to the degree of pollution. Associations of almost pure magnetite with heavy metals were revealed by scanning electron microscope.
- Subjects
WEEPING fig; LEAVES; AIR pollution; HEAVY metals; DUST; CITIES &; towns; MORELIA; SCANNING electron microscopy
- Publication
Studia Geophysica & Geodaetica, 2012, Vol 56, Issue 3, p879
- ISSN
0039-3169
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s11200-011-0265-1