Biomonitoraggio dell'inquinamento atmosferico tramite licheni nella provincia di Pescara

Abstract

BIOMONITORING OF AIR POLLUTION BY LICHENS IN THE PROVINCE OF PESCARA (CENTRAL ITALY). This paper presents the results of a study on air quality in the Province of Pescara (Central Italy), carried out in 1991, and based on epiphytic lichens as bioindicators. SO2 pollution was evaluated by means of an Index of Atmospheric Purity (I.A.P.) computed on the frequency of epiphytic lichens within a sampling grid. Relevés were carried out in 77 stations, on Quercus and Tilia spp.: pollution maps for the Province are presented. Altogether, 57 species were recorded, with a prevalence of nitrophytic and neutro-basiphytic lichens, indicating a diffuse secondary eutrophication of the bark. The species can be subdivided in 6 main groups according to their locai distribution patterns: the distribution maps of 6 species are presented. Indicator species, whose distribution is best related to the pollution patterns, were selected. Eutrophication and acidification maps were obtained by calculating an index far each station, based on lichen sensitivity scales derived from existing literature. The results show that most of the Province of Pescara has high air quality standards; the most polluted areas are in the north-eastern part of the Province and along the Pescara valley, corresponding to the town of Pescara and the main industrial and urbanized zones. The main factors affecting lichen distribution are air pollution and eutrophication due to anthropic activities.