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This study extends the current knowledge regarding the use of passive air samplers(PAS)and biomonitoring with plants for the measurement of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs), with the aim of evaluating the association between the accumulation of PAHs in leaves of Tillandsia capillaris and their concentrations in air measured by PAS. In addition, in order to study the seasonal variations of PAHs emitted by industries and vehicular traffic, a monitoring program was performed employing leaves of T. capillaris and polyurethane foam(PUF)disk passive air samplers. Results showed that both passive samplers and biomonitors presented the highest concentration values of PAHs in the dry season at sites with anthropic influence. Most of the PAHs were associated with urban and industrial sources present in the city of Córdoba. The concentration of ANT was associated with the presence of domestic sources; the use of natural gas as fuel for the cement plant was considered to be an important source of BaA and DBA enrichment was associated with vehicle emissions in this area. T. capillaris demonstrated to be a good accumulator of PAHs, considering that it reflected seasonal differences between different sites and that these were similar to those found in the passive samplers for the dry season. Therefore, these results contribute to the development of protocols for monitoring programs of PAHs that can be applied over large areas. Fil: Wannaz, Eduardo Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal (p); Argentina Fil: Abril, Gabriela Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal (p); Argentina Fil: Rodriguez, Judith Hebelen. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal (p); Argentina Fil: Pignata, M. l.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal (p); Argentina

Heavy metals accumulation by Tillandsia capillaris was measured to identify their main emission sources in the province of Córdoba, Argentina. Samples of T. capillaris collected over three years at different sites were analysed by flame atomic absorption spectrometry to determine the amounts of Cu, Fe, Ni, Mn, Pb and Zn. The sampling sites were categorized according to land use, anthropic activities and/or distance from the potential heavy metal emission sources. We found that the concentration of heavy metals in the study area is mainly driven by industrial activity while traffic contributed only to the levels of Zn. In addition, we observed a strong relationship between a diffuse emission source and the content of Pb accumulated on the biomonitors which could be attributed to dove hunting activities. Future studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis. Fil: Wannaz, Eduardo Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; Argentina Fil: Carreras, Hebe Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; Argentina Fil: Rodriguez, Judith Hebelen. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; Argentina Fil: Pignata, Maria Luisa. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; Argentina