OPAL Air Survey What is air Air is

OPAL Air Survey

What is air? Air is a mixture of gases Nitrogen 78. 09%, Oxygen 20. 95%, 1% other

Why is it important?

Life on earth Animals Humans Plants

Humans Inhale : Oxygen (O 2) Exhale : Carbon dioxide (CO 2)

Air pollution Sources : Vehicles Factories Houses Aerosols Farming Effects: Smog Acid rain Climate change

Nitrogen pollution Sources: Car fumes, factories, fertilisers Problem: Producing too much nitrogen Effects: Acid rain, harming ecosystems, contributing to global warming

Where do you find the most nitrogen pollution? Countryside Suburban City

Bio-indicators are living organisms that can be used to monitor the health of an environment or ecosystem. Examples include: Canaries used by coal miners Invertebrates in streams e. g. Mayfly nymph

What is a lichen? I have a flattened body I have no roots I have no stem I have no leaves

Lichens – Two lives in one A lichen is a partnership between a fungus and an alga. The fungus (mycobiont) provides protection and the alga (photobiont) provides food. Reproduce by fragmentation or through soredia

Symbiosis or controlled parasitism? By existing together they can live in places they couldn’t survive on their own.

Where do lichens grow? • Anywhere – even in the most extreme environments Hot African deserts Rocky shores Cold Alpine peaks

Lichen biodiversity • 18, 000 identified worldwide Bushy 1, 700 in Britain Leafy Crusty • Some lichens are more tolerant to pollution than others I nitrogen! I hate nitrogen!

Spot the lichen 1 2 3

Activity 1 – lichens on trees Sample 4 deciduous trees – un shaded Identify the tree species Measure the girth of the tree Identify all indicator lichens on one face of the trunk Look at the twigs of the tree – record lichens Record insects that you see 1 2 3 4

Tar spot Fungus Rhytisma acerinum Sensitive to pollution Growth is reduced by sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen The more tar spot the less polluted the air Count as 2 spots

Make your results count Website : www. opalexplorenature. org Results can also be posted in for free! Enjoy the survey!!!!