Ozone phytotoxic potential with regard to fragments of the Atlantic Semi-deciduous Forest downwind of Sao Paulo, Brazil

Environ Pollut. 2014 Sep:192:65-73. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2014.05.014. Epub 2014 Jun 2.

Abstract

In the Metropolitan Region of Campinas (MRC), Brazil, high levels of primary pollutants contribute to ozone (O3) formation. However, little is known regarding the O3 effects in the tropics. Objectives in this study were to characterize the present levels of O3 pollution and to evaluate the relevance of current concentration-based indices for assessing the phytotoxic potential of O3. Changes in O3 concentrations and precursors at 5 monitoring stations within towns of MRC were analyzed. The daily O3 profile was typical for urban sites and showed little yearly variation. Given the permanently foliated forest canopy, yearly rather than seasonal O3 indices were thus more appropriate for estimating the effective ozone dose. With yearly SUM00, SUM60 and AOT40 of 156, 16 and 14 ppm h and confirmed by evidence of O3 injury in foliage, oxidative stress in the MRC has reached levels high enough to affect trees from the Atlantic Semi-deciduous Forest.

Keywords: Atlantic Semi-deciduous Forest; Metropolitan Region of Campinas; O(3) phytotoxic potential; SUM00; SUM60 and AOT40.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Air Pollutants / analysis
  • Air Pollutants / toxicity*
  • Brazil
  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Ozone / analysis
  • Ozone / toxicity*
  • Trees / drug effects*
  • Trees / physiology

Substances

  • Air Pollutants
  • Ozone