Determinación de la calidad de aire mediante el uso de líquenes en la ciudad de Cuenca

Abstract

Air pollution causes various problems in human health and in ecosystems, due to this there is a need to implement various monitoring methods that show the presence of pollutants; The use of bioindicators is a complementary procedure to the regular methods where equipment is used, so its application is important when witnessing environmental stressors. The objective of this project is to determine the air quality in different parts of the city of Cuenca through the use of lichens as bioindicators. The methodology used in this project is based on determining the Atmospheric Purity Index at six monitoring points in the city of Cuenca through the use of a lichen relief mesh in previously selected tree species. Values between 16.2 and 39.2 resulting from the IPA were obtained; and a list of sensitive and tolerant species. An analysis was also carried out based on the number of public transport vehicles, land use and certain air pollutants. Lichens mapping represents a useful method to monitor air quality.