Abstract Detail
Lichens as Bioindicators of Air Quality Washburn, Stephen [1]. Ozone exposure indices correlated with lichen abundance data in greater Cincinnati metropolitan area, Ohio. HOURLY ozone data for five years (1999 – 2003) in the greater Cincinnati metropolitan area are used to calculate average annual values for a suite of eight ozone exposure indices. These are then compared to local lichen abundance data to determine which index is best able to discern a relationship between ozone exposure and lichen community structure. It is demonstrated that the SUM00 and 12-hour AOT40 (restricted to daylight hours) ozone exposure indices have a significant correlation with lichen abundance, while the U.S. EPA 1-Hour and 8-Hour National Ambient Air Quality Standards and the N100, SUM06, 24-hour AOT-40, and W126 indices do not. This finding indicates that lichens are less responsive to peak ozone event exposure and are primarily sensitive to cumulative exposure, which provides a compelling reason to include some form of a cumulative index in the secondary National Ambient Air Quality Standard for ozone. The appropriateness of a flux-based ambient air quality standard for non-vascular plants is discussed. A model of ozone flux for generalized lichens is developed.[c.e.:srb] Log in to add this item to your schedule
1 - 9015 Cherry Blossom Lane, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45231, USA
Keywords: ozone regime exposure index dose-response.
Presentation Type: Symposium or Colloquium Presentation Session: 32-2 Location: 277/Holt Date: Tuesday, August 1st, 2006 Time: 8:45 AM Abstract ID:420 |