Environmental studies in two communes of Santiago de Chile by the analysis of magnetic properties of particulate matter deposited on leaves of roadside trees

• Published in: Atmospheric environment (1994) Vol. 152; pp. 617 - 627
• Main Authors: Muñoz, David, Aguilar, Bertha, Fuentealba, Raúl, Préndez, Margarita
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01-03-2017
• Subjects: Airborne particulate matter capture; Magnetic measurements; Santiago de Chile; Traffic flows; Urban trees; Airborne particulate matter capture; Magnetic measurements; Traffic flows; Santiago de Chile; Urban trees
• ISSN: 1352-2310; 1873-2844
• DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2016.12.047

Emissions from motor vehicles are considered to be one of the main sources of airborne particulate matter in Santiago. International researchers have shown that particulate matter contains metal oxides and magnetic particles, both of which are emitted mainly from vehicles exhaust pipes. On the other hand, trees are effective in reducing such contamination, so that they act as passive collectors of particulate matter. This work presents the results obtained from the first magnetic study of the particulate matter collected in two areas of the city of Santiago de Chile. Magnetic susceptibility and Saturation Isothermic Remanent Magnetization (SIRM) were determined in leaves from abundant urban trees and from urban dust samples. Results indicate that most of the samples contain ferromagnetic minerals with magnetite (Fe3O4) as the main carrier. Values of magnetic susceptibility (SI ×10−6 m3/kg) in the range 0.04–0.24 for leaves and in the range 10–45 for urban dust were determinated. In one of the city areas studied, significant correlation between the particulate matter deposited on leaves of Platanus orientalis and measured traffic flows was obtained. In addition, it was possible to estimate that the species Platanus orientalis and Acer negundo have a better ability to capture particulate matter than the species Robinia pseudoacacia.
•Magnetic parameters allow evaluating anthropogenic PM emitted by vehicles.•Magnetic monitoring relates traffic flow with PM deposited on tree leaves of abundant species.•Magnetic monitoring contributes to rapid evaluation of trees more efficiently capture PM.•Magnetic bio-monitoring and spatial variations of PM are useful tools for urban planners.