The Use of Corticolous Lichen Species to Assess the Level of Air Pollution With Heavy Metals

Abstract

The paper presents the preliminary results obtained in a study aimed to assess the level of air pollution with heavy metals in urban areas by means of using bioindicators. The tests were carried out in one of the most polluted cities in western Romania, using as bio-indicators corticolous lichens collected from seven representative sites for air quality in the city. The assessment level of air pollution with heavy metals (Cd, Ni, Pb, Cu, Mn, Zn, Cr) was based on the effect that their presence could induce on lichens. Thus, two methods were used for the quantification of the effect such as: a) IAP method, variation in diversity and abundance-calculation of the value of Index of Atmospheric Purity, IAP and b) determining the content of heavy metals in the lichen thalli, respectively. Classification of air quality from the seven sampling sites in pollution classes (low pollution, moderate pollution, high pollution and very high pollution) was based on the statistical tests for correlation between the metal concentration in the air and the specific parameters for the two evaluation methods (the IAP index value for the first method and the metals concentration in the lichen thalli for the second method). The tests results revealed a differentiated air quality in the seven sites, also indicating the method of biomonitoring with corticolous lichens as a viable option for assessing the air quality in polluted areas with heavy metals.

Biological monitoring used in assessment of the air pollutants

“…In Romania, the "air quality" field is regulated by the Air Quality Legislation with the purpose of protecting together the human health and the environment, which are inseparable entities and the existence of human's activity is environmentally dependent. The regulating measures aimed at maintaining the quality of ambient air where it meets the ambient air quality objectives established by this law and its improvement in other cases (Kozlowski 1980, Neidoni et al 2018. Based on the development of the industries, the adverse effects on the environment have also emerged (Ashmore et al 1978).…”