Analysis of air pollution using lichens

Lichens

• Lichens are composite organisms consisting of a symbiotic association of a fungus with a photosynthetic partner , usually green algae

• Many lichen are sensitive to changes around them. For this reason, they are bioindicators of clean air.

• Traditionally three broad categories of lichen have been recognized:

• crustose (crusty)

• foliose (leafy)

• fruticose (shrubby)

Analysis of air quality in Slovenj Gradec

According to level of pollution, there are 5 lichenbelts : A – very clean air

B – clean airC – less clean airD – occasionally polluted airE – very pollutant air

Center of SG: 25 years ago - D belt (occasionally polluted air)

today – C belt (less clean air)

Area around SG: 25 years ago – B belt (clean air)

today – C belt (less clean air)

LYCHEN MAP OF SLOVENIA

Major pollutants

25 years ago: Coal, thermal power plant Šoštanj,mine Mežica

• Today: transportation, factories, industry…