The analysis of level of lead (Pb) on lichens as a bioindicator of air quality in Medan Industrial Area and Pinang Baris Integrated Terminal in Medan, Indonesia

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the diverse types of lichens in Medan Industrial Area and Pinang Baris Integrated Terminal in Medan. The study was conducted for five months, starting from May to September 2016. It was a descriptive study, with a purposive sampling method. The research results showed that there were differences found in the lichens diversity in the two research locations. While the diversity index values (H’) in Medan Industrial Area (0.13904) was low, the diversity index values in Pinang Baris Integrated Terminal (1.00572) were categorized as a medium. In the two research locations, seven types of lichens were found, consisting of six genus. The distribution pattern of lichens in Pinang Baris Integrated Terminal was clumped with the highest value of 12,96 on the type of Graphis scripta. The three types of lichens found in Pinang Baris Integrated Terminal have a clumped distribution pattern with the highest value of 12.96 in Graphis scripta, while the other three types of lichens with a uniform distribution pattern 0.43 on the type of Ochrolechia tartarea and Opegrapha atra. The physical-chemical factors of the environmental condition which supported the growth and the development of lichens in Medan Industrial Area and Pinang Baris Integrated Terminal were the average temperature (30.75°C and 30°C), average humidity (75.75% and 73.25% ), light intensity (371 J and 500 J), and wind speed (1,6 m/s and 2,1 m/s). The accumulated Pb had a very high in thallus Ochrolecia tartarea (26,96 mcg/gram). The correlation between Pb lichens and the traffic density showed that Parmelia saxatilis had a very high significant correlation, compared with the other types.