Evaluación de Chlorophytum comosum como bioindicador y fitorremediador de la contaminación atmosférica presente en los espacios interiores de la Universidad de Pamplona, en Pamplona Norte de Santander, Colombia .

Abstract

The state of air quality is an important factor that influences the health and well-being of people. Its deterioration is related to the effects of pollutant emissions into the atmosphere, from sources of different kinds and origins, which are caused by human or natural activity. The quality of the air is determined by its composition, where we find a mixture of liquid and solid particles, organic and inorganic substances, which are in suspension (particulate matter), and gases. Knowing the state of air quality is essential to determine the areas in which there is greater potential for affecting human health, than pollutants, their distribution over time and space, and the emission sources associated with them. To measure and evaluate the impact of air pollution on the population and on natural resources, it is essential to have the necessary equipment, systems, networks and measurement programs, which represent high costs. There are various methods of remediation for these pollutants, among which are the physical, chemical and biological. A biological method is phytoremediation, which uses plants to remove, degrade or store inorganic and organic contaminants in soil, air and water. The plant Chlorophytum comosum is an ornamental species, widely used as an indoor plant, it adapts to different conditions of light, temperature, humidity and can survive extreme conditions. In this study, Chlorophytum comosum was evaluated as a bioindicator and phytoremediator of indoor air pollution in three spaces of the University of Pamplona. The presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals was identified both in the root and in the leaf. Initially the organic matter present in the root and leaf of the plant was obtained by ultrasound, it was concentrated by rotaevaporation, the global extract was used for the determination of PAHs by gas chromatography (FID). The PAHs found were phenanthrene, anthracene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo (a) anthracene, chrysene, benzo (b) fluoranthene, benzo (k) fluoranthene, benzo (a) pyrene, indene (1,2,3-cd) pyrene, dibenzo (a, h) anthracene. For the identification of metals, the plants were subjected to drying for 48 hours, and were digested with HCl. The extracts were analyzed by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometers. The heavy metals present were Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn. The (HAPs) and heavy metals found in the extracts of the analyzed plants coincide with those found in filters of equipment used to monitor the air quality of outdoor environments of the University of Pamplona in previous studies. Therefore, Chlorophytum comosum could be used as a bioindicator and phytoremediator of the pollutants present in the air of interior spaces, being an alternative at low cost and sustainable.