ASSESSMENT OF THE SURFACE ATMOSPHERIC AIR STATE IN THE SOUTHWESTERN CRIMEA ACCORDING TO LICHENOINIFICATION DATA

Abstract

Relevance. Lichenoindication is widely used to assess the quality of atmospheric air. For southwestern Crimea, the assessment of the state of atmospheric air based on licheninication data is carried out for the first time. The aim of the research is to assess the quality of atmospheric air in southwestern Crimea according to lichen detection data. The objects of the study are epiphytic lichens, Evernia prunastri, Ramalina farinacea, Physcia, Parmelia sulcata. Methods. For analysis in the period from February to May 2018, 17 samples of epiphytic fruticose lichens were taken in different landscape conditions (foothills, intermontane basins, mountain tops), taking into account different levels of anthropogenic load. The samples contain seven elements: Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, Ni, Cr, Sr. The elemental composition of lichens was determined using an atomic absorption spectrometer. Results. It was revealed that the most actively accumulated metals in the lichens of southwestern Crimea are Zn, Sr and Pb; less active accumulation of Cu, Cd, Ni and Cr. The analysis showed that anthropogenic sources of pollution are to a greater extent induced by the content of Cu, Zn, Pb in lichens. The high Sr content is due to its ability to replace calcium in potassium-containing minerals in carbonate rocks, which are widespread in the region. The noted relatively high level of air pollution in the city of Inkerman is due to emissions from the Sevastopol combined heat and power plant, near the gas station on the Yalta–Sevastopol highway – emissions from vehicles, in rural settlements of the Baydarsky valley – emissions from coal burning with stove heating. It was revealed that the data on the content of heavy metals in lichens sampled in the Chernorechensky canyon can be considered a reference for determining the background parameters and the level of pollution of the surface atmosphere in other regions of southwestern Crimea. Lichens can be used to supplement the monitoring system for surface air pollution in southwestern Crimea during atmospheric transport.

Keywords

• lichenoindication
• air pollution
• heavy metals
• ecological monitoring
• crimea
• sevastopol