Tracing the Origins of Air Contaminants Near Environmental Protection Areas

This case study aimed to assess the impact of particulate matter (PM) emitted by highway works in an ecosystem belonging to one of the most important Atlantic Rainforest remnants in southeastern Brazil. The study was conducted during federal highway works, comprising a toll station construction and lane widening. To the best of our knowledge, this is the most comprehensive study on air pollution and its impacts on Environmental Protection Areas (EPAs) in Brazil. Total suspended particle (TSP) samples were obtained from 2014 to 2016, totaling 1823 samples. Some TSP samples were chosen for ionic and elemental quantification. Daily concentrations ranged from 8 to 345 µg m⁻³. The TSP concentrations exceeded Brazilian guidelines (240 µg m⁻³), mainly during the federal highway works. The main determined elements Fe (50–2100 ng m⁻³) and Mn (3–30 ng m⁻³) were associated with soil origin. Trace elements (Cu, Co, Ni, V, and Pb), detected from 2 × 10⁻⁷ to 54 ng m⁻³, and high NO₃⁻ (2.4 − 8.3 µg m⁻³) and SO₄²⁻ (2.6 − 6.8 µg m⁻³) concentrations were correlated with vehicular emissions. The findings of this study indicate that Cd and Cu represent environmental risks, as they may compromise biochemical plant processes.