High spatial resolution assessment of air quality in urban centres using lichen carbon, nitrogen and sulfur contents and stable-isotope-ratio signatures.

ABSTRACT: Air pollution and poor air quality is impacting human health globally and is a major cause of respiratory and cardiovascular disease and damage to human organ systems. Automated air quality monitoring stations continuously record airborne pollutant concentrations, but are restricted in number, costly to maintain and cannot document all spatial variability of airborne pollutants. Biomonitors, such as lichens, are commonly used as an inexpensive alternative to assess the degree of pollution and monitor air quality. However, only a few studies combined lichen carbon, nitrogen and sulfur contents, with their stable-isotope-ratio signatures (δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N and δ³⁴S values) to assess spatial variability of air quality and to 'fingerprint' potential pollution sources.

SUBMITTER: Niepsch D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10163116 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature