Abstract
Indonesia needs an alternative air quality index considering that the ones currently in use were not precisely made for the environment and people’s genetic makeup in Indonesia. This study aims to determine if lichen can be used as an alternative index to assess Indonesia’s air quality by acting as a bioindicator. Lichen samples were taken at six locations, three in Gelora Bung Karno’s City Forest, Jakarta, and three at the Universitas Indonesia’s city forest, Depok. Lichens are identified according to the chemical test results and identification key. The amount of lichen obtained is calculated and converted into a NAQI chart to determine if the site’s status is clean air, at-risk, N-polluted, or very N-polluted location. Two of them are polluted by nitrogen from seven sampling areas, while the other five are heavily polluted. This data shows the air quality in all areas is insufficient and polluted. However, our findings are contradictory to nitrogen pollutant data from Meteorology Climatology and Geophysics Council (BMKG). Thus, in the future, there should be a calibrator when measuring air quality analysis using lichen.
Highlights
Concern regarding Jakarta's air quality recently elevated due to citizens' awareness of the Air Quality Index (AQI)
Based on AirVisual, the air quality value of Jakarta in 2019 was generally within the range of 101-200, which was categorized as “unhealthy and harmful for sensitive groups." one single index, as shown in AirVisual, cannot entirely represent air quality in the atmosphere. Another air quality index is needed for comparison to assess air quality value by their surroundings on their own
The third area was on the road between Economy Faculty and Makara Clinic, and the fourth area was on the road near the Economy Faculty and Psychology Faculty
Summary
Concern regarding Jakarta's air quality recently elevated due to citizens' awareness of the Air Quality Index (AQI). Based on AirVisual, the air quality value of Jakarta in 2019 was generally within the range of 101-200, which was categorized as “unhealthy and harmful for sensitive groups." one single index, as shown in AirVisual, cannot entirely represent air quality in the atmosphere. Another air quality index is needed for comparison to assess air quality value by their surroundings on their own. This case could prevent misunderstanding and unnecessary panic among citizens caused by AQI's air quality assessment information [1]
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