Marisia - Maros Megyei Múzeum Évkönyve 36/1. (2016)
Botany
LICHENOINDICATION APLICATION IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ASSESSMENT Adam BEGU University of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova, Academy str. 3/2, MD-2028 Chijinäu, Republica Moldova Abstract: Most lichens are extremely sensitive to increased concentrations of S02, NOx and other gases: the damage is reflected in reduced photosynthesis, necrosis and even thallus destruction. Currently, the lichen diversity of the Republic of Moldova comprises 197 species and varieties, and 40 species are recommended as reliable indicators. The paper presents a Lichens Toxi-tolerance Scale (LTS) towards S02 concentration in the air and Air Quality Assessment Scale (AQAS) with 6 gradations, taking into account the specific diversity, abundance and indicator species toxi-tolerance. Keywords: lichens, toxi-tolerance, S02 pollution, scale, environmental. Introduction The use of bio-indicators started in the second half of the 19th century, and particularly developed as lichen indication [33], which was applied to monitor air pollution, especially sulphur dioxide as well as nitrogen oxides, ozone, fluorine, chlorine, etc. The increased sensitivity of lichens to gases and fumes is explained by their slow regeneration, as compared to higher plants, which can renew damaged tissues rather quickly [23]. Under long-term water deficit, lichens become even more vulnerable to air pollution. Garrou & Castrogiovanni [22] explained lichen sensitivity to sulphur dioxide by the fact that the pollutant is converting chlorophyll into pheophytin, substituting one atom of magnesium with another of hydrogen. The role of lichens as bio-indicators of air pollution in the Rocky Mountains (USA) was extensively studied by S. Simonson [39]. Mihailova & Vorobeicik [29] studied the dose-effect relationship in lichens in the forests of the Middle Ural region. They found significant changes in lichen sinuzia even at a slight exceeding of background pollution levels (1,5-2,3 times). Studies in the field were undertaken by researchers of the State University of Tartu (Estonia) leaded by Trass [43, 44, 45, 46], who proposed a list of test species and a 5-grade scale for air quality monitoring. He developed the Poleotoleration Index (IP) for spatial mapping of air pollution with sulphur dioxide. Blium [15] suggested that the elaboration of indication scales should take into consideration the sensitivity of lichens to different air pollutants (S02, NH?, H2S, CO, petrol vapors) established under laboratory conditions. The application of lichen criteria in the assessment of air quality and mapping of urban pollution in industrial areas of Romania was considered by several authors [2, 3], [4], [18], [19], [20], [21], [31], [40], [41], [42]. Outstanding research was carried out by Bartók [2], who made an inventory of the lichen diversity of the Zlatna industrial area to determine the influence M A R I S I A, XXXVI, p. 9-16
