USING LICHEN AS BIOINDICATOR FOR DETECTING LEVEL OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION

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1 Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Mathematics and Natural Sciences (ICMNS 2010) USING LICHEN AS BIOINDICATOR FOR DETECTING LEVEL OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION Taufikurahman, Muhammad Fernando, and Rima Mustika Sari Plant Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Institut Teknologi Bandung, West Java, Indonesia Abstract. Lichen can be used as bioindicator to detect level of air pollution in an area by analyzing the concentration of contaminant contained in its thallus. In this study, lichenes that grow on bark tree were analyzed for their Pb concentration. The study was conducted for six months at four locations in Bandung i.e. industrial area (Ujung Berung), bus stations (Leuwi Panjang and Cicaheum Bus Stations), and City Park (Tegalega Park). Lichenes were collected based on three zonations at radius of 200 m separating each zone, and sampling were repeated four times at different cardinal directions. Beside the concentration of Pb, the concentration of chlorophyll a and b in lichens thallus, and lichens distribution pattern were also measured. The data of measured Pb content and species distribution pattern was then visualized using arcgis software, which is representated into map of Pb content distribution and species distribution pattern. Based on its Pb content, Ujung Berung has the highest Pb content (28.90 µg/g) than the others, followed by Cicaheum Bus Station (24.76 µg/g), Tegalega Park (21.06 µg/g), and Leuwi Panjang Bus Station (20.59 µg/g), although the differences were not significant (P>0.05). Chlorophyll concentration at every zonation at the four locations did not show significant difference too (P>0.05). Moreover, Pb concentration did not have significant correlation with chlorophyll concentration at most of observed locations. Four species of lichenes were identified, namely Lepraria sp., Physcia sp., Sticta sp., dan Xanthoria sp. Locations which showed highest species distribution pattern were at Taman Tegalega and Ujung Berung, followed by at Cicaheum Bus Station, and the lowest one was at Leuwi Panjang Bus Station. Lepraria sp. was mostly found at all sites, and therefore could be used for measuring and mapping the level of its pollutant concentrations to indicate the level of pollution in the area. Keywords : Lichen, Lead (Pb), Bioindicator, Zone, arcgis, Distribution pattern, Chlorophyll, Lepraria sp,. 1. Introduction Epiphytic lichens are well known as indicators of air pollution and widely used to assess air quality [(Nimis et al., 2002 at Dymytrova, 2009). Because of their sensitive physiology, lichens are more likely to be affected by environmental changes than other plants [1]. According to previous investigations, the coverage and the frequency of species are very important variables, and indices based on 388

2 The Used of Lichens as Bioindicator of Air Quality and Climate Change these parameters are highly correlated with air pollution levels (Leblanc & De Sloover, 1970; Pirinitos et al., 1993; Biazrov, 2002; Nimis et al., 2002 in Dymytrova, 2009). The aim of the current study was to investigate diversity and distribution of epiphytic lichens in Bandung city and to assess air quality in Bandung city using epiphytic lichens by paramaters of heavy metals, especially lead (Pb) accumulation in thalli of lichens. 2. Materials and Methods Field work was carried out during the period of August 2008-April Lichens were investigate d from sampling area in the vicinity of major e mission sources from industrial area (Ujung Berung), and bus stations (Cicahe um and Leuwi P anjang). Te gal Le ga citypark was use d as a comparison from an are a relatively not heavily pollute d. All species of lichens on the trunk of each tree were recorded from the base up to 1.5 m above ground level. The plots were placed in four cardinal directions (north, south, east, west) with an interval of 200 m between each zone (Fig. 1.). North West East South Figure 1. Plots for Lichens sampling. The coverage of each lichen was estimated by the point sampling quadrat method of 25cm x 25 cm [4, 6]. Coordinate point for every sampling area was recorded using GPS as input in GIS data processing to estimate distribution pattern of lichens. Thalli of lichens collected from the various sampling for species identification, chlorophyll analysis, and then oven-dried to constant weight at 60 0 C for P b content analysis. For P b analysis, drie d thalli of lichens we re digested in aquare gia solutions, and P b was meas ured using Atomic Absorption Spe ctrophotometer. For chlorophyll analysis, thalli of lichens we re digested in aceton solutions, and chlorophyll estimate d by s pe ctrophotometer. 389

3 TAUFIKURAHMAN, 2 M.FERNANDO AND RIMA, M.S 3. Results and Discussion There are four species of Lichenes determinated in all of sampling area. They are Lepraria sp., Physcia sp., Sticta sp, and Xanthoria sp. (Figure 2). Lepraria sp. is almost found in every sampling area, so it can called as cosmopolitan species. Lepraria sp. is one of crustose lichens that known as resistant to air polution [2]. (a). Lepraria sp (b). Physcia sp (c). Sticta sp (d). Xanthoria sp Figure 2. Lichenes at sampling area (a) Lepraria sp. (b) Physcia sp. (c) Sticta sp. (d) Xanthoria sp. The highest distribution pattern of that lichens is founded in Tegalega city park, which dominated by Lepraria sp., Physcia sp. and Sticta sp (Fig. 3). This happened because of this area is surrounded by street and public buildings, but far from industries activity or almost free from contaminants sources. Lichens are commonly present at zone in different pattern. Figure 3. Distribution Pattern of Lichens in Sampling Area 390

4 The Used of Lichens as Bioindicator of Air Quality and Climate Change Figure 4. Pb accumulation in thalli of Lichens in Every Sampling Area : (a) Tegalega city park, (b) Leuwi Panjang station, (c) Ujung berung industries area, (d) Cicaheum station There is no significant difference in Pb accumulation at every zone at all of sampling area (Fig. 4 and 5). The highest average concentration of Pb is in thalli of lichens located at Ujung Berung insdustries area (28,90 µg/g), while the lowest average concentration of Pb is in thalli of lichens located at Leuwi Panjang station (20,59 µg/g). There is a slight indication that Pb accumalation is higher in thalli of lichen located at Ujung Berung and Cicaheum station, compared to in thalli of lichen located at Tegalega citypark and Leuwi Panjang station. 391

5 TAUFIKURAHMAN, 2 M.FERNANDO AND RIMA, M.S Figure 5. maping of Pb Concentration in Sampling Area Figure 6. Correlation relationship between chlorophyll and Pb accumulation in thalli of Lichens in Every Sampling Area : (a) Tegalega city park, (b) Leuwi Panjang station, (c) Ujung berung industries area, (d) Cicaheum station 392

6 The Used of Lichens as Bioindicator of Air Quality and Climate Change There is also no significant correlation between chlorophyll content and Pb accumulation in thalli of lichens (P>0.05) (Fig. 6). It seems that Pb accumulation is not affected by chlorophyll concentration in the thalli of lichens. This can happened because several reasons. First, Pb accumulation that found on lichens in this research still in under tolerant threshold of Pb on lichens. Minimum value of Pb accumulation of Pb commonly is about 150 sd. 436 µg/g [7]. Second, there is a release mechanism of Pb from cytoplasm of algae [3]. Third, there is prohibition mechanism for distribution Pb into cell of algae [9], because Pb usually stored at interspace of medulla. Forth, probably there is phytochelating agent that caused Pb can not enter into algae cell. Pawlik-Skrowsronka (2002) found that lichens with component algae from genus Treuboxia such as Xanthoria parietina (L) Beltr, Physcia adcendens, Physconia grisea (Lam) Poelt. can produce phytochelating that can make metal bundle, so the metals is not revolve in cytosol [8]. 4. Conclusion Lichens that found in all of sampling area are Lepraria sp., Physcia sp., Sticta sp, and Xanthoria sp. This lichens were located in Tegalega, Ujung Berung. Cicaheum, and Leuwi panjang can accumulated Pb on their thalli, but does not showed significant difference (P 0,05). The highest accumulation of Pb is found in thalli of lichen in Ujung Berung (28,90 µg/g), Cicaheum (24,76 µg/g), Tegalega (21,06 µg/g) and Leuwi Panjang (20,59 µg/g). Pb accumulation in thalli of lichens did not have correlation with chlorophyll content. Based on their resistance to enviroment changes, Lepraria sp.is the best to be used as bioindicator to measure air polution, such as Pb contamination. Acknowledgment The research was funded by ITB s research fund for the year of References [1] Bargagli, R., D Amato, and F.P. Iosco (1987), Lichen Biomonitoring of Metals in the San Rossore Park: Contrast With Previous Pine Deedle Data. J. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment. Vol. 9(3): [2] Boonpragob, K., Nash, T.H., and Fox, C.A. (1989), Seasonal deposition patterns of acidic ions and ammonium to the lichen Ramalina menziesii Tayl. in southern California. Environmental and Experimental Botany, 29, [3] Beckett, P. dan Brown, D.H. (1984), The relationship between Cadmium (Cd) uptake and heavy metal tolerance in the lichen genus Peltigera. New Phytol, 97,

7 TAUFIKURAHMAN, 2 M.FERNANDO AND RIMA, M.S [4] Dunford, J., S., McLoughlin, Phillip, D., Dalerum, F.., dan Boutin, S. (2006), Lichen Abundance in Peatlands of Northern Alberta: Implication of Boreal Caribou. Ecoscience 13(4): [5] Lyudmyla, D. (2009), Epiphytic lichens and bryophytes as indicators of air pollution in Kyiv city (Ukraine). Folia Cryptog. Estonica, Fasc. 46: [6] Martiınez, A.E., Escudero, A., Maestre, F.T., Guerrero, C., dan Rubio, A. (2006), Small-Scale Patterns Of Abundance Of Mosses And Lichens Forming Biological Soil Crusts In Two Semi-Arid Gypsum Environments. Australian Journal of Botany, 2006, 54, [7] Nash, H. Thomas (2008), Lichen Biology. 2 nd ed. Cambridge University: New York. [8] Pawlik-Skrowsronka, B. di Toppi, L.S. Favali, M.A. Fossati, F. Fiszer J. dan Skowronski, T (2002). Lichen respond to heavy metals by phytichelatin synthesys. New Phytologyst, 156, 95. [9] Purvis, O. W., Williamson, B.J. Bartok, dan K. Zoltani, N (2000), Bioaccumulation of lead by the lichen Acarospora smaragdula from smelter emission. New Phytol, 147, Details of Authors TAUFIKURAHMAN School of Life Science and Technology, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Indonesia taufik@sith.itb.ac.id MUHAMMAD FERNANDO School of Life Science and Technology, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Indonesia nandito_106@yahoo.co.id RIMA MUSTIKA SARI School of Life Science and Technology, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Indonesia rhiem2130@gmail.com 394