Fluoride impact on native tree species of the atlantic forest near Cubat�o, Brazil

Air pollutant emissions from the industrial complex of Cubatao, Brazil, have led to a severe deterioration of the Atlantic Forest ecosystem. In a field study, leaves of the tree speciesTibouchina pulchra, Miconia pyrifolia, andCecropia glazioui were collected at four sites with different pollution characteristics. Leaf fluoride contents of the three species were found to be highly elevated in a valley near to fertilizer factories. In an area further from the emission sources, which in the past had been affected by fluoride pollution, fluoride concentrations inTibouchina andMiconia continued to be elevated. Preliminary exposure experiments using Tibouchina seedlings as accumulative indicators are reported.