Tijuca forest contribution to the improvement of air quality and wellbeing of citizens in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Research reveals that the Tijuca Forest, one of the world's largest urban forests within Rio de Janeiro, significantly improves air quality compared to urbanized areas. Despite anthropogenic impacts from visitors and proximity to cities, total hydrocarbon (HC) concentrations in the forest were substantially lower than in adjacent districts like Del Castilho and Tijuca. Median HC levels measured 21.5 µg/m³ in Tijuca National Park (TNP) and 35.5 µg/m³ in Grajaú State Park (GSP), contrasting with 148.6 µg/m³ in Del Castilho. The study, employing stainless steel canisters and advanced gas chromatography, also found that urban air masses exhibited higher ozone-forming potential due to elevated reactivity of HCs, particularly alkenes and monoaromatic compounds. While the forest's role in adsorbing pollutants remains unclear, its ability to act as a natural barrier to urban emissions is evident. Improving air quality within the Tijuca Forest is deemed crucial for enhancing citizens' wellbeing.

Arbilla, G., Dantas, G., & da Silva, C. M. (2023). Tijuca forest contribution to the improvement of air quality and wellbeing of citizens in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Chemosphere, 334, 139017. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.139017