Resumo

JESSICA, Villalta Chungata,; ASTUDILLO ALEMAN, Ana  e  MOSCOSO VANEGAS, Diana. Relationship between Epiphytic Lichens and Sedimentable Particles as Indicators of Air Quality. Rev Politéc. (Quito) [online]. 2025, vol.56, n.2, pp.105-118. ISSN 2477-8990.  https://doi.org/10.33333/rp.vol56n2.09.

Currently, air quality represents a fundamental challenge for sustainability, the health of the population and the environment, due to atmospheric emissions generated by fixed and mobile sources. The objective of this research was to analyze air quality by means of the Atmospheric Purity Index (IPA), using epiphytic lichens as bioindicators. For this purpose, concentrations of sedimentable particles (PS) were determined at six points in the urban area of the city of Cuenca, based on the methodology established in Book IV of the Unified Text of Secondary Environmental Legislation (TULSMA). Biomonitoring with lichens was carried out with the use of a survey grid that allowed the identification of the diversity of lichen species present. The results show that the Historic Center and Av. 12 de Abril have the highest concentrations of PS, the lowest distribution of lichens and the highest contamination in relation to the IPA, thus placing the canton of Cuenca in the “medium contamination” category and with a classification of “low diversity” of epiphytic lichens. The correlation analysis showed that there is no significant relationship between PS levels and epiphytic lichen diversity. The present study is the first of its kind in the city, therefore, it sets the standard for the initiation of similar activities at the local and national levels.

Palavras-chave : pollution; air; lichen distribution; polluting sources.

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