Project Details
Description
Atmospheric pollution associated with vehicular traffic is a growing problem, with significant impacts on human health and the environment. In Costa Rica, the combination of intense traffic and industrial activity can generate high concentrations of suspended particles and heavy metals, whose assessment through conventional methods is costly and technically complex.
This research aims to evaluate air quality along National Route 2 in Costa Rica using moss spheres as bioindicators, integrating active biomonitoring with chemical and magnetic analyses to characterize the presence of metallic particles and potentially toxic elements (PTEs). Unlike other plant biomonitors, mosses do not depend on soil nutrients, as they absorb water and elements directly from the atmosphere. This characteristic prevents interference from edaphic factors and allows metal concentrations to more accurately reflect atmospheric deposition.
Biomonitoring with mosses has proven to be an economical, reliable technique capable of detecting multiple pollutants simultaneously. In particular, moss spheres enable intensive and standardized monitoring in specific areas, while the analysis of their magnetic properties helps infer the presence and origin of ferrimagnetic particles associated with heavy metals. In Costa Rica, to date, no studies have combined these methodologies, representing an important gap in understanding the relative contribution of vehicular traffic and industry to urban air pollution.
The study will be conducted at strategic points selected through purposive sampling in areas of heavy traffic and industrial activity. The levels of magnetic particles and heavy metals accumulated in the moss spheres will be analyzed, assessing the correlation between both variables and the effectiveness of this methodology as an environmental biomonitoring tool.
The results are expected to provide key information to establish local air quality baselines, identify high-risk areas, and promote the formulation of public policies aimed at reducing exposure to atmospheric pollutants. Furthermore, the study will contribute to strengthening national technical capacity for environmental monitoring through innovative, reliable, and low-cost methods.
This research provides the first comprehensive air-quality assessment along a national roadway using moss spheres combined with magnetic and chemical analyses. It represents a significant contribution to scientific knowledge and environmental management in the country, and it offers strong potential for replication on other roadways in Costa Rica and across the region.
This research aims to evaluate air quality along National Route 2 in Costa Rica using moss spheres as bioindicators, integrating active biomonitoring with chemical and magnetic analyses to characterize the presence of metallic particles and potentially toxic elements (PTEs). Unlike other plant biomonitors, mosses do not depend on soil nutrients, as they absorb water and elements directly from the atmosphere. This characteristic prevents interference from edaphic factors and allows metal concentrations to more accurately reflect atmospheric deposition.
Biomonitoring with mosses has proven to be an economical, reliable technique capable of detecting multiple pollutants simultaneously. In particular, moss spheres enable intensive and standardized monitoring in specific areas, while the analysis of their magnetic properties helps infer the presence and origin of ferrimagnetic particles associated with heavy metals. In Costa Rica, to date, no studies have combined these methodologies, representing an important gap in understanding the relative contribution of vehicular traffic and industry to urban air pollution.
The study will be conducted at strategic points selected through purposive sampling in areas of heavy traffic and industrial activity. The levels of magnetic particles and heavy metals accumulated in the moss spheres will be analyzed, assessing the correlation between both variables and the effectiveness of this methodology as an environmental biomonitoring tool.
The results are expected to provide key information to establish local air quality baselines, identify high-risk areas, and promote the formulation of public policies aimed at reducing exposure to atmospheric pollutants. Furthermore, the study will contribute to strengthening national technical capacity for environmental monitoring through innovative, reliable, and low-cost methods.
This research provides the first comprehensive air-quality assessment along a national roadway using moss spheres combined with magnetic and chemical analyses. It represents a significant contribution to scientific knowledge and environmental management in the country, and it offers strong potential for replication on other roadways in Costa Rica and across the region.
General Objective
Evaluar la calidad del aire en la Ruta Nacional 2 de Costa Rica mediante el uso de esferas de musgo como biomonitores.
Research Lines
Soluciones de ingeniería ambiental para el desarrollo
Evaluación y seguimiento de contaminantes químicos y microbiológicos
Evaluación y seguimiento de contaminantes químicos y microbiológicos
| Short title | Esferas de musgo |
|---|---|
| Status | Active |
| Effective start/end date | 1/01/26 → 31/12/27 |
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