engleski

Lichens as Indicators of Air Pollution in the City of Rijeka, Croatia

During the eighties the city of Rijeka was one of the most polluted in the country regarding sulphur dioxide. To estimate the harmful effects of air pollution on plants, lichens specimens collected within the city area in 1985/1986. were tested on cell membrane integrity. The highest cell membrane damage, e.g. specific conductivity per mass of lichens was observed in lichens collected at sites with highest winter SO2 levels. As the levels of SO2 declined (50-70%) in mid-nineties, the test was repeated in winter 1995/96. Lower specific conductivity, prevailing of relatively sensitive P. caperata strain among randomly collected specimens, as well as reappearing of lichens in the city center indicate recovering of their natural habitat due to decline of SO2 levels.

bioindicators; atmospheric pollution; sulphur dioxide

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