The use of bioindication plants for the assessment of air pollutants in the city of Cochabamba, Bolivia

Fluoride, chloride and sulphur content of leaves of Chinaberry (Melia azederach L.) and Peruvian peppertree (Schinus molle L.) were investigated at the end of the dry season in 2000 and 2001 in the city of Cochabamba, Bolivia, to document the air pollution situation in this area. The leaf content of these pollutants where always slightly higher in M. azederach as compared to S. molle. Differences between sampling years and between sites could be detected and especially for chloride a point source for emission could be identified. It was possible to detect sulphur and chloride as an essential component of dust particles. Among gaseous pollutants dust has also be taken into consideration as a source of fluoride, chloride and sulphur. The presented study has proved the suitability of M. azederach and S. molle as bioaccumulators and further investigations should lead to the development of appropriate threshold levels for this region.