Air biomonitoring using lichens

Abstract

The paper present the studies of sensitivity of exposed lichens to different levels of heavy metals pollution. It investigated the behavior of the Parmelia sp. (acacia wood support) transplanted from unpolluted areas into laboratory conditions. The pollution has been achieved by the various synthetic solutions of Cd or/and Zn. Process are complex and many factor affect heavy metal bioaccumulation. Time of exposure to pollution, quantity and metal species, their ratio, tissues metal bioaccumulation and their relationship with the health of lichens are discussed. In this context resulted that the presence of two metal i.e. Zn and Cd in synthetic solution has determinate reduced 2-4 times the metal amount bioaccumulation of tissues lichens compared to the accumulated amount in the presence of single metal in polluting solution. High concentrations of metals in the environment can dramatically affect lichens life. The lichens studies of bioavailability of metal could further enhance utility as air quality biomonitoring tool.