103
Nitrogen oxides also cause the appearance of acid rains. Furthermore, these
gases have an irritating effect on the respiratory organs, and they manifest their
harmfulness by causing photochemical smog. Important components of the photochemical smog are also hydrocarbons, which end up in the atmosphere mostly as
components of car exhaust gases (Boltersdorf and Werner 2013).
The negative effects of air pollution are seen at all levels of the biological organization of living beings (Guttová et al. 2011). Many natural values are endangered.
Many plants are subjected to types of permanent damage named “early aging.” The
consequences of air pollution are also reflected in the climate (Evju and Bruteig
2013). Suspended particles of mater in the polluted air decrease visibility and reduce
sunlight by 15–20%, resulting in a decrease in temperature.
An increase in the amount of pollutants in the air can sometimes have greater or
lesser consequences on human health, as it affects the deterioration of the condition
of people suffering from various diseases, especially respiratory and heart diseases,
such as lung and bronchus cancer, anemia, respiratory irritations, acute lung function problems, a decrease in the vital capacity of children living in cities and industrial zones, an increase in the number of people suffering from diabetes, etc. Even
short-term exposure to sulfur and nitrogen oxides can lead to breathing difficulties
due to the formation of edema, mucus, and bronchial spasm, as a result of irritation
and inflammation (Wu et al. 2016).
Based on the available knowledge of air quality hazards, a need to know the type
and the degree of threat has arisen (Hauck et al. 2013). One of the fundamental
preconditions for improving the air quality is a timely detection and registration of
the increased levels of air pollution, i.e., organizing a monitoring system. A monitoring system is a system of successive observations of the elements of the environment in space and time. Monitoring system is reflected in the collection of data of a
quantitative and qualitative nature on the presence and distribution of pollutants in
space and time, the monitoring of emissions and immissions of pollution sources
and their effect, the transportation of pollutants, and the special role of this system
is to monitor the effect pollution has on living beings (Wolterbeek 2002).
Two groups of monitoring methods have been developed:
1. Physicochemical methods of monitoring
2. Biological methods of monitoring
Physicochemical monitoring methods are based on physicochemical measurement and calculation of the amount and concentration of individual pollutants in the
air, in a unit volume, in a unit of time, or in mathematical modeling (cybernetics)
and predicting changes in environmental quality (Samanta et al. 2002).
Biological monitoring methods are based on registering and monitoring reactions and changes that occur under the influence of pollutants at some level of the
biological organization of living beings (Paoli et al. 2015). It is precisely these different levels that are seen as specific targets for the effects of the pollutants.
Biological monitoring methods show certain advantages compared to their physicochemical counterparts. Physicochemical methods reflect the cross section of the
current state of affairs, and it is not possible to gain an objective insight (and predict
4 Lichens as the Main Indicator in Biological Monitoring of Air Quality
Nitrogen oxides also cause the appearance of acid rains. Furthermore, these
gases have an irritating effect on the respiratory organs, and they manifest their
harmfulness by causing photochemical smog. Important components of the photochemical smog are also hydrocarbons, which end up in the atmosphere mostly as
components of car exhaust gases (Boltersdorf and Werner 2013).
The negative effects of air pollution are seen at all levels of the biological organization of living beings (Guttová et al. 2011). Many natural values are endangered.
Many plants are subjected to types of permanent damage named “early aging.” The
consequences of air pollution are also reflected in the climate (Evju and Bruteig
2013). Suspended particles of mater in the polluted air decrease visibility and reduce
sunlight by 15–20%, resulting in a decrease in temperature.
An increase in the amount of pollutants in the air can sometimes have greater or
lesser consequences on human health, as it affects the deterioration of the condition
of people suffering from various diseases, especially respiratory and heart diseases,
such as lung and bronchus cancer, anemia, respiratory irritations, acute lung function problems, a decrease in the vital capacity of children living in cities and industrial zones, an increase in the number of people suffering from diabetes, etc. Even
short-term exposure to sulfur and nitrogen oxides can lead to breathing difficulties
due to the formation of edema, mucus, and bronchial spasm, as a result of irritation
and inflammation (Wu et al. 2016).
Based on the available knowledge of air quality hazards, a need to know the type
and the degree of threat has arisen (Hauck et al. 2013). One of the fundamental
preconditions for improving the air quality is a timely detection and registration of
the increased levels of air pollution, i.e., organizing a monitoring system. A monitoring system is a system of successive observations of the elements of the environment in space and time. Monitoring system is reflected in the collection of data of a
quantitative and qualitative nature on the presence and distribution of pollutants in
space and time, the monitoring of emissions and immissions of pollution sources
and their effect, the transportation of pollutants, and the special role of this system
is to monitor the effect pollution has on living beings (Wolterbeek 2002).
Two groups of monitoring methods have been developed:
1. Physicochemical methods of monitoring
2. Biological methods of monitoring
Physicochemical monitoring methods are based on physicochemical measurement and calculation of the amount and concentration of individual pollutants in the
air, in a unit volume, in a unit of time, or in mathematical modeling (cybernetics)
and predicting changes in environmental quality (Samanta et al. 2002).
Biological monitoring methods are based on registering and monitoring reactions and changes that occur under the influence of pollutants at some level of the
biological organization of living beings (Paoli et al. 2015). It is precisely these different levels that are seen as specific targets for the effects of the pollutants.
Biological monitoring methods show certain advantages compared to their physicochemical counterparts. Physicochemical methods reflect the cross section of the
current state of affairs, and it is not possible to gain an objective insight (and predict
4 Lichens as the Main Indicator in Biological Monitoring of Air Quality