Index Of Atmospheric Purity Values Research Articles

Index of Atmospheric Purity reflects the ecological conditions better than the environmental pollution in the Carpathian forests

The Index of Atmospheric Purity (IAP) is a popular tool used for the assessment of air quality in polluted urban areas, on the basis of phytosociological data of epiphytic lichen communities. We hypothesized that this indicator could also be used in less polluted forest areas to determine the quality of ecological conditions for lichens. The aim of the present study was to verify the use of IAP method in the assessment of environmental pollution, and alternatively for the assessment of general ecological conditions in protected mountain forests of Gorce National Park (Polish Western Carpathians) based on the epiphytic lichen biota associated with Picea abies. The spatial distribution of IAP values on monitored sites in GNP was compared with: 1) spatial distribution of accumulated sulfur, nitrogen, selected heavy metals, and total heavy metals in Hypogymnia physodes thalli in 1993 and 2018 (30 sites), 2) mean ecological indicator values characterizing species requirements for light (L), substrate reaction (R) and nutrients (N), in 1993, 2013 and 2018 (33 sites). Generalized linear model and redundancy analysis were performed for disclosing most influencing factors affecting lichen communities. The study revealed a few negligible relationships between IAP values and accumulation of such elements as Ni, Mn, Cd, and Cr in both monitoring periods. Simultaneously, IAP can be useful for the identification of forest areas with a high degree of naturalness.

Monitoring Air Pollution with Living Organisms. Case Study Use of Lichens as Bioindicators in the Miguel Pereira City, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

An alternative route to evaluate air pollution and its impact on the environment is using bioindicators, such as lichens, for example. The main purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that the use of lichens can be a simple and economically feasible way to detect and monitor air pollution. Qualitative and quantitative analyses, such as the survey of the specific richness, coverage and frequency of the lichen flora have been made. They have been calculated based in the Index of Atmospheric Purity (IAP) values obtained through seasonal campaigns carried out from January to October in 2017 at four locations in the Miguel Pereira District – State of Rio de Janeiro. 21 “taxon of lichens” distributed in 09 families and 13 genera have been detected. Locations 3 and 4 (Javary lake and Sao Roque street) have shown higher values of specific richness and IAP (21.66 and 31.45, respectively) which indicate the air pollution at these locations as being respectively regular and low. On the other hand, at the other two locations (Aurea street and Bus Terminal), the specific richness and IAP values found – 7.91 and 11.23 indicate high and high air pollution, respectively. These values and associated indicators lead to believe that the more urbanized an area is, the higher is its air pollution.

Use of corticolous lichens for the assessment of ambient air quality along rural-urban ecosystems of tropics: a study in Sri Lanka.

Monitoring of air quality using lichens as bioindicators on the basis of lichen diversity and frequency is limited along rural-urban ecosystems in tropics. This study attempted to assess and correlate the use of corticolous lichens with atmospheric SO2 and NO2 in such an ecosystem in Sabaragamuwa Province in Sri Lanka. Nine sampling locations, each having three subsampling sites with 162 Mangifera indica and Cocos nucifera trees, were selected for the study. The coverage and frequency of lichens found on selected trees were recorded by 400-cm2 grids and identified using taxonomic keys. SO2 and NO2 levels at each site were determined by "Ogawa" passive air samplers. Data of lichen diversity were used to formulate the index of atmospheric purity (IAP). The environmental parameters related to lichen colonization were measured using standard methods. Data were analyzed using MINITAB 17. The mapping of spatial distribution of lichens and air pollutants were done using inverse distance weighting surface interpolation of geographical information system based on IAP values. A negative correlation was observed between IAP and SO2 and NO2 levels. The presence of the genus Pyxine in almost all urban sites indicated that it could be used as a reliable pollutant tolerant indicator in urban ecosystems. In addition, the index-based mapping techniques could be used successfully to see the effect of atmospheric pollution in urban ecosystems. These results conclude that corticolous lichens have the potential to be used as bioindicators of air quality monitoring along rural-urban ecosystems of tropics.

Epiphytic Lichen Diversity as Indicator of Environmental Quality in an Industrial Area (Central Lithuania)

ABSTRACT The objective of the study was to evaluate the impact of nitrogen fertilizer industry pollution on epiphytic lichen communities. The study plots are located in Scots pine Pinus sylvestris stands at different distances (up to 12 km) to the northeast and southwest of the nitrogen fertilizer producer plant in central Lithuania. The stands were semi-mature and mature and growing on sandy sites of the Vaccinio-myrtillosa site type. Species richness, composition and index of atmospheric purity (IAP) were assessed at each site. Species diversity was calculated by grouping species by their ecological values for eutrophication. Species frequency was calculated according to lichen life strategies (growth forms, photobionts, reproductive strategies). Twenty lichens species were recorded in the surrounding of the pollution source. An increase in species richness and diversity was found with increasing the distance up to 10 km from the plant. Based on IAP values three zones ( 10 km) with different...

Lichens as biological indicators of air quality in the urban area of Kursumlija (Southern Serbia)

In this work, we provided a first indication of Kuršumlija (town of Southern Serbia) air quality using epiphytic lichens known as bioindicators. The investigations were carried out from April to October 2014. The analysis of thalli samples (from 15 investigated points in Kuršumlija), indicates the presence of 42 lichens taxa from 23 genera. An assessment of air quality was made by using the Index of Atmospheric Purity (IAP) and Index of Human Impact (IHI). IHI values ranged between 15 and 36. IAP values ranged between 10 and 28. According to the IAP values, it has been found that there are three different air pollution zones: “normal”, “struggle” and “lichen desert”. The latest characterize the majority of the urban area. The aim of this study is to formulate an indication of air quality using lichens as bioindicators on the basis of lichens diversity and frequency. This is of great importance because there are no continuous physical and chemical measurements of air quality in this area.

Air quality lichen monitoring at three selected urban areas in the Southern Serbia

Abstract – The results of a study using epiphytic lichens as bioindicators, for the first time on teritory of three different areas in the Southern Serbia, are reported. Investigation was done in Vlasotince in 2002 and 2013; in Leskovac in 2002 and 2008 and, for the first time, in Lebane in 2013. In this work, in order to establish different air pollution levels, different species have been used as bioindicators. The analysis of samples from 142 investigated points in described localities indicates presence of 53 lichens taxa. An assessment of air quality in the Southern Serbia area was made by using the index of atmospheric purity (IAP). Using the IAP values, it has been found that there are different air pollution zones: „normal“ zone, struggle zone and lichen desert zone which occupies a vast majority of the urban area. The aim of the study is to present the difference in air quality over a certain time interval in areas of Southern Serbia. The new boundaries of the zones are presented, with main reasons for its shrinkage in the Southern Serbia area over the years, as well as predictions of further alterations. The comparison of the results obtained in 2002 and 2013 in Vlasotince indicates the presence of „ normal“ zone in 2002 but, in 2013, the „normal zone“ area was completely replaced with the „struggle“ zone. In Leskovac, unlike the previous studies, a slightly narrowing “lichen desert zone is noticed. In Lebane, there is a presence of all zones.

Air quality monitoring system using lichens as bioindicators in Central Argentina

Air quality studies with bioindicators have not been well developed in South America. In the city of Córdoba, there are not permanent air pollutant measurements by equipment. In order to develop an air quality biomonitoring system using lichens, we applied a systematic sampling in the city of Córdoba, Argentina. A total of 341 plots were sampled in the area of the city which is a square of 24 × 24 km. In each sample plot we selected three phorophytes and estimated the frequency and cover of lichen species growing at 1.5 m on trunks. We also calculated the Index of Atmospheric Purity (IAP) using lichen frequencies. Maps with number of lichen species, cover values, and IAP were performed. The lichen community was described with nine species where Physcia undulata and Physcia endochryscea were the most frequent. Moreover, these two species were dominant in the community with the highest cover index. The central area of the city is considered a lichen desert with poor air quality. The southeast and northwest areas of the city showed the highest IAP values and number of species. In general, the city shows fair air quality and few areas with good and very good air quality.

Lichens as Bioindicators of Air Quality in Distant Areas in Patagonia (Argentina)

This contribution is part of a more extensive assessment of the effects of air pollution in urban environments in Patagonia (Argentina) through its effects on the lichen flora. Different methodologies were applied. This paper presents calculations of the Index of Atmospheric Purity (IAP) for urban contaminated (Bariloche city) and periurban uncontaminated environments, calculated at sites for which data were available on the elemental composition of contaminating elements. The IAP results obtained were correlated with the elemental composition of lichen thalli. Principal Component Analysis and Cluster Analysis were performed to determine data partitioning using Ward's method. The results yielded four clusters: three of them correspond to thalli and IAP values from urban areas, where the most important factors affecting the lichen flora have been identified as their proximity to medium to high traffic density or petrol stations. Thalli from periurban uncontaminated environments form an independent cluster,...

Applicability of In Situ or Transplanted Lichens for Assessment of Atmospheric Pollution in Patagonia, Argentina

This study is part of a project, in which the ultimate aim is to evaluate the applicability of lichens to assess atmospheric pollution in urban and in agricultural areas in northern Patagonia (Argentina). Two cities with different characteristics were selected for the evaluation: San Carlos de Bariloche, a touristic city, and Villa Regina, a city surrounded by agricultural areas, both located in Rio Negro Province. Different methods were considered, with comparative purposes, and aiming to detect the most suitable to evaluate atmospheric pollution in the area of relevance for the present project. The Index of Atmospheric Purity (IAP) was calculated; IAP values were mapped and lines of iso-contamination were drawn for both cities. Furthermore, they were compared with data of multi-elemental composition of lichen thalli analyzed by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). The results indicate that the IAP is an accurate method to detect and evaluate atmospheric pollution in Bariloche, a result that can be extended to other cities with similar characteristics within the lake area of Patagonia. Instead, the index showed to be not appropriate for use in fruticulture areas, even when bio-accumulation of pesticides in transplanted thalli was detected, in the preliminary tests that have been done. As an alternative method, detection of algal layer vital signs, by red neutral staining of algae of in situ lichens and by electrical conductivity were also evaluated in preliminary tests; the results obtained could be related with the fumigation intensities.

Assessment of lichen diversity by index of atmospheric purity (IAP), index of human impact (IHI) and other environmental factors in an urban area (Grenoble, southeast France)

An assessment of air quality in the Grenoble area was made using the index of atmospheric purity (IAP). The survey area was divided into 198 units (0.7×1 km), in which 345 average lichen relevés were analyzed according to the Braun-Blanquet method. Each relevé station was characterized in the field by a subjective index of human impact (IHI) calculated according to four local environmental parameters influencing the epiphytic lichen flora: urbanization (urban, suburban or rural area), road traffic (low or high), local developments (stations located within crop fields, green areas, housing sites or car parks), and exposure (trees isolated, in rows or grouped). Eighty-three epiphytic lichen species and two algae were recorded and grouped into three ecological categories defined according to bark type and nutrient needs: nitrophytic, neutrophytic and acidophytic species. IAP values, varying from 5.9 to 71.7, were clustered into five categories in order to produce an air-quality map. The geographical pattern of the IAP map showed no clear connection with local sources of pollution, such as the vicinity of a road or an industrial plant, and was not correlated with annual mean values of SO 2, NO 2 and NO for the years 1994–1997. IAP appeared to be influenced by environmental artificiality as shown by a polynomial trend observed between IAP and IHI, even if IAP values were broadly scattered. Multivariate analysis (canonical correspondence) showed that high IAP values could be observed in stations of ‘natural’ environments at high elevations and in stations of ‘artificial’ environments at low elevations. It was also shown that IAP varied in relation to the relative proportion of ecological groups of lichen relevés: although a majority of neutrophytic species (>50%) with a much lower percentage of nitrophytic species generally characterized high IAP, a predominance of acidophytic or nitrophytic species led to a decrease in the IAP. A correlation between nitrophytic species and artificiality of the environment was also shown. Furthermore, IAP, initially created to characterize atmospheric pollution or atmospheric purity by means of the lichen flora, is shown to be influenced by other parameters such as environmental and landscape factors.

Biodiversity and trace element content of epiphytic bryophytes in urban and extraurban sites of southern Italy

In the present study epiphytic bryophytes were employed as a model system in an integrated way both as bioindicators at species, population and community levels and as bioaccumulators of airborne trace elements. Twenty sites with Quercus ilex trees were chosen in a Mediterranean area both in urban and natural locations, with an altitude ranging from 0 to about 500 m a.s.l., in coastal and inland areas (Campania, Italy). Data on the presence of species, cover values and phenology were recorded for each site and the Index of Atmospheric Purity (IAP) was calculated. The data matrix of frequency/cover × species was analysed by multivariate methods. Data obtained clearly show that in urban sites the number of species and IAP values are lower, and that acrocarpous mosses and vegetative reproduction occur more frequently. Contents of trace elements (Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Ti, V, Zn) were measured in four species and concentrations were normalised to the soil pattern by calculating the Enrichment Factor (EF). The results show the large contribution of resuspended soil particles to the chemical composition of the analysed bryophytes. All the examined species were enriched in Cd, Cu and Zn, and in some cases showed high EF for Pb. The differences among epiphytic bryophyte vegetation are discussed in order to evaluate suspected alterations due to human impact and/or environmental change.

Lichen bioindication of air quality in the Mt. Amiata geothermal area (Tuscany, Italy)

The results of a lichen bioindication survey of air quality performed in the Mt. Amiata geothermal area (Tuscany, central Italy) are reported. On the basis of 153 Index of Atmospheric Purity (IAP) samplings, an air quality zonal map of the area was drawn. The lowest IAP values were recorded in an area encompassing the geothermal power plants, up to a distance of about 500 m. The overall pattern of rising IAP values with increasing distance from the geothermal power plants suggested that air pollution from the geothermal installations is the main cause of the observed zonation of lichen communities. It is suggested that hydrogen sulphide is the main contaminant responsible for lichen decline around geothermal power plants.

Lichens as bioindicators of air quality in Arezzo (central Italy)

Epiphytic lichens were used as bioindicators of air quality in the town of Arezzo in central Italy. By means of 15 Index of Atmospheric Purity (IAP) relevés, a zone-map was drawn by automatic mapping programmes and the area was divided into four air quality zones. The worst air quality occurred in the centre of the town, inside the old medieval walls, i.e. in the part of the study area where air exchange due to winds is scanty and motorized traffic is more intense. On the contrary, the highest IAP values were found to the south-east, in areas more exposed to winds and with a lower burden of traffic. These results are in agreement with data on air pollutants measured by recording gauges, which showed that SO2 levels were very low, NOx and CO from car exhaust being the main pollutants. It was thus concluded that in the area the main source of air pollution is from motorized traffic and that changes in lichen frequencies are largely determined by nitrogen oxides. Other possible factors affecting the impoverishment of lichen frequency in the city centre may be carbon monoxide and the heat island effect. Furthermore, the results suggest that a high lichen recolonization should have taken place from 1979 under conditions of falling SO2 levels.

Lichens as Bioindicators of Geothermal Air Pollution in Central Italy

The suitability of lichens as bioindicators of geothermal air pollution was evaluated in central Italy. Fifty-one sites were sampled in the Travale-Radicondoli geothermal field, an area of about 15 km{sup 2}. Lichens on 1-5 trees per station were sampled, using 30 x 50 cm grids on tree boles, where lichens were most dense. Index of Atmospheric Purity (IAP) was calculated as the sum of the frequencies of all lichen species present at the station. Using automatic mapping programs, the area was divided into four air quality zones and the lowest IAP values were found within about 500 m of geothermal power plants. No direct measurements of air pollution are available for the whole study area, however, other studies show that air pollution levels (mercury, boron) fall with distance from a geothermal source. Also no substrate parameter (height, circumference, bark pH, and buffer capacity of the trees) discriminates between IAP zones. This suggests that air pollution arising from geothermal emissions is responsible for the zonation shown, with values for species richness and IAP rising with distance from geothermal installations. It is concluded that lichens are reliable bioindicators of geothermal pollution. 64 refs., 1 fig., 3 tabs.

An assessment of the sampling procedure for estimating air pollution using epiphytic lichens as indicators

Abstract: Using the response of epiphytic lichens in and around the city of Thessaloniki (Greece) to an air pollution source, the value of sampling lichens at breast height and the base of trees was compared. The data obtained were processed with detrended correspondence analysis and polythetic divisive two-way indicator species analysis, and IAP (index of atmospheric purity) values were estimated for each experimental site. The tree base IAP values were higher than those at breast height, reflecting the higher number of species present, the generally increased cover and frequency of occurrence. IAP values at the two sampling heights suggest a linear relationship and the same holds for the tree base IAP values and the first axis ordination scores. Sampling at the base resulted in better discrimination of sites, and may, therefore, offer more accurate monitoring of changes induced by air pollution.

<p><strong>Evaluación briológica de los efectos de la contaminación atmosférica en la Ciudad de México</strong></p>

The Index of Atmospheric Purity (IAP) was used to make a preliminary evaluation of epiphytic moss response to atmospheric pollution in the urban area of Mexico City. Areal analysis indicates that there is a significant negative correlation (p < 0.5) between IAP values and SO2, NO2, NOx, Pb and temperature values of -0.45, -0.90, -0.80, -0.80, -0.90. Significant positive correlation (p < 0.05) between IAP values and O3, rainfall and relative atmospheric humidity with values of 0.70, 0.80, 0.90. Increase in atmospheric pollutants in Mexico City have promoted a gradual decrease in frequency and cover of epiphytic mosses even though some ecological factors may show the oposite effect.

The influence of three sour gas processing plants on the ecological distribution of epiphytic lichens in the vicinity of fox creek and Whitecourt, Alberta, Canada

The ecological distributions of epiphytic lichens have been reduced by SO2 emissions from three sour gas processing plants located near Fox Creek and Whitecourt, Alberta. Pollutants tend to concentrate in drainage channels leading to the Athabasca River. These channels parallel the prevailing wind. No sites were encountered which totally lacked lichens but at sites within 1 to 2 km downwind of gas plants and associated S storage blocks, the epiphytic lichen flora was reduced in variety, cover and vitality. An Index of Atmospheric Purity (IAP) was calculated from epiphyte data using selected indicator species and air pollution zones determined. Zone maps of relative air purity were generated using the SYMAP mapping package. Improvements to previous IAP methodologies are suggested. Average sulfation rates, S content, and stable S isotope abundance ratios are discussed as they relate to lichen diversity, vitality and IAP values.