Liken Studies in the Cities of Medan and Deli Serdang as Air Quality Bioindicators

Oct 13, 2025 by talynt.org 135 views

Liken Studies in the Cities of Medan and Deli Serdang as Air Quality Bioindicators

Introduction

Air pollution has become a significant concern in urban areas, affecting not only human health but also the environment. In recent years, researchers have been exploring alternative methods to monitor air quality, focusing on organisms that are sensitive to changes in air pollution. One such organism is Lichen, a symbiotic relationship between fungi and algae or cyanobacteria. Lichen has been used as a bioindicator of air pollution in various countries, including America, India, Japan, Thailand, and Singapore. This study aims to examine the diversity of Lichen, diversity index, and accumulation of lead in the Lichen population in Medan and Deli Serdang, North Sumatra.

Methodology

The study was conducted in the period May 2013 to November 2014 in four locations with different traffic density:

Taman Mahogany, Pancur Batu, Deli Serdang (far from traffic)
Jalan Yos Sudarso, Medan (High Traffic)
Jalan Sudirman, Medan (Medium Traffic)
Jalan Cik Ditiro, Medan (low traffic)

Observations were made using the vertical transect method to a height of 2 meters in 20 mahogany trees in each location, resulting in a total of 80 trees. Population data included the amount of talus, the area of the talus on the surface of the tree trunk, diversity index, and lichen cluster analysis in all four locations. Lead levels (Pb) in lichen were measured using the atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS).

Results

The results showed that there were 2,165 identified lichen samples covering 7 families, 7 genuses, and 11 species with two types of talus (foliose and crustose). Lichen diversity index value was relatively low. The first location (Taman Mahogany) had the highest average number of Talus LPBP per square meter (36.27), while the fourth location (Jalan Cik Ditiro) had the highest average Talus LPBP area per square meter.

The following types of lichen were found in each location:

Taman Mahogany, Pancur Batu: Parmelia Caperata, Parmelia Glabratula, Graphis Elegans, Tryphetelium Virens, Lepraria Incana, Graphis Scripta, OPEGRAPHA ATRA, and Pertusaria Amara.

Jalan Yos Sudarso, Medan: Parmelia Saxatilis, Lecanora Conizaeades, Lepraria Incana, and Pertusaria Amara.

Jalan Sudirman, Medan: Parmelia Glabratula, Parmelia Saxatilis, Lepraria Incana, Graphis Scripta, OPEGRAPHA ATRA, and Pertusaria Amara.

Jalan Cik Ditiro, Medan: Parmelia Plumba, Parmelia Glabratula, Lepraria Incana, Graphis Scripta, OPEGRAPHA ATRA, and Pertusaria Amara.

Discussion

Based on the highest Pb concentration per cm2 Lichen's Talus Area, this study concluded:

Location with the highest traffic (second location) does not always have the highest Pb concentration. Parmelia Plumbea in the third location had the highest Pb concentration (25,709), followed by Pertusaria Amara in the second location (7,842).
There is a correlation between Pb concentration and the area of talus. The higher the Pb concentration, the smaller the talus area. However, high Pb concentrations do not always occur in small talus and vice versa, large talus does not always have a low Pb concentration.
Lepraria Incana and Pertusaria Amara were included in one cluster and able to absorb Pb with low concentrations, but can live in all locations (Lichen cosmopolitan).
Some other lichen species, such as OPEGRAPHA ATRA and Parmelia Saxatilis, absorb Pb with low concentrations and small talus. Parmelia Caperata, Graphis Elegans, and Tryphetelium Virens do not absorb Pb, but can live in the first location.

Conclusion

This study shows that lichen can be used as a bioindicator of air quality, but further research needs to be carried out in various areas to strengthen the role of Lichen as a bioindicator of air pollution. The transplant method needs to be applied to determine tolerant lichen, sensitive, intermediate, and cosmopolitan as a bioindicator.

Recommendations

Further research should be conducted in various areas to strengthen the role of Lichen as a bioindicator of air pollution.
The transplant method should be applied to determine tolerant lichen, sensitive, intermediate, and cosmopolitan as a bioindicator.
Lichen diversity index and Pb concentration should be monitored regularly to assess the impact of air pollution on Lichen populations.
The results of this study should be used to develop a Lichen-based air quality monitoring system for urban areas.

Limitations

The study was conducted in a limited number of locations, and further research should be conducted in various areas to strengthen the role of Lichen as a bioindicator of air pollution.
The study only focused on Pb concentration, and further research should be conducted to assess the impact of other pollutants on Lichen populations.
The study did not consider the impact of other environmental factors, such as temperature and humidity, on Lichen populations.

Future Directions

Further research should be conducted to assess the impact of air pollution on Lichen populations in various areas.
The transplant method should be applied to determine tolerant lichen, sensitive, intermediate, and cosmopolitan as a bioindicator.
Lichen diversity index and Pb concentration should be monitored regularly to assess the impact of air pollution on Lichen populations.
The results of this study should be used to develop a Lichen-based air quality monitoring system for urban areas.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Lichen as Air Quality Bioindicators

Q: What is Lichen and how does it relate to air quality?

A: Lichen is a symbiotic relationship between fungi and algae or cyanobacteria. It is a sensitive organism that can be used as a bioindicator of air quality. Lichen is affected by changes in air pollution, making it a useful tool for monitoring air quality.

Q: How does Lichen respond to air pollution?

A: Lichen responds to air pollution by changing its growth, morphology, and physiology. It can absorb pollutants such as lead, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide, which can affect its growth and survival.

Q: What are the benefits of using Lichen as an air quality bioindicator?

A: Lichen has several benefits as an air quality bioindicator, including:

It is a non-invasive and non-destructive method of monitoring air quality.
It is a cost-effective method of monitoring air quality.
It can provide real-time data on air quality.
It can be used to monitor air quality in remote or hard-to-reach areas.

Q: What are the limitations of using Lichen as an air quality bioindicator?

A: Lichen has several limitations as an air quality bioindicator, including:

It is sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity, which can affect its growth and survival.
It can be affected by other environmental factors, such as soil quality and light exposure.
It may not be able to detect all types of air pollutants.
It may not be able to provide data on air quality in areas with high levels of air pollution.

Q: How can Lichen be used to monitor air quality?

A: Lichen can be used to monitor air quality by:

Measuring the growth and morphology of Lichen in different locations.
Analyzing the chemical composition of Lichen to detect pollutants.
Using Lichen as a sentinel species to detect changes in air quality.
Developing a Lichen-based air quality monitoring system.

Q: What are the future directions for using Lichen as an air quality bioindicator?

A: The future directions for using Lichen as an air quality bioindicator include:

Developing a Lichen-based air quality monitoring system.
Conducting further research on the effects of air pollution on Lichen.
Exploring the use of Lichen as a bioindicator of other environmental pollutants.
Developing new methods for analyzing Lichen to detect pollutants.

Q: How can I get involved in using Lichen as an air quality bioindicator?

A: You can get involved in using Lichen as an air quality bioindicator by:

Participating in citizen science projects that involve monitoring Lichen.
Collaborating with researchers who are studying the effects of air pollution on Lichen.
Developing new methods for analyzing Lichen to detect pollutants.
Advocating for the use of Lichen as an air quality bioindicator in your community.

Q: What are the implications of using Lichen as an air quality bioindicator?

A: The implications of using Lichen as an air quality bioindicator include:

It can provide real-time data on air quality.
It can be used to monitor air quality in remote or hard-to-reach areas.
It can be used to detect changes in air quality.
It can be used to develop a Lichen-based air quality monitoring system.

Q: What are the potential applications of using Lichen as an air quality bioindicator?

A: The potential applications of using Lichen as an air quality bioindicator include:

Monitoring air quality in urban areas.
Monitoring air quality in remote or hard-to-reach areas.
Detecting changes in air quality.
Developing a Lichen-based air quality monitoring system.
Providing real-time data on air quality.

Q: What are the potential challenges of using Lichen as an air quality bioindicator?

A: The potential challenges of using Lichen as an air quality bioindicator include:

It may be affected by other environmental factors, such as temperature and humidity.
It may not be able to detect all types of air pollutants.
It may not be able to provide data on air quality in areas with high levels of air pollution.
It may require specialized equipment and expertise to analyze.

Q: What are the potential benefits of using Lichen as an air quality bioindicator?

A: The potential benefits of using Lichen as an air quality bioindicator include:

It is a non-invasive and non-destructive method of monitoring air quality.
It is a cost-effective method of monitoring air quality.
It can provide real-time data on air quality.
It can be used to monitor air quality in remote or hard-to-reach areas.

Q: What are the potential limitations of using Lichen as an air quality bioindicator?

A: The potential limitations of using Lichen as an air quality bioindicator include:

It may be affected by other environmental factors, such as temperature and humidity.
It may not be able to detect all types of air pollutants.
It may not be able to provide data on air quality in areas with high levels of air pollution.
It may require specialized equipment and expertise to analyze.