Evaluation of using lichens for air quality indicator in Chulabhorn Pattana 12 village, Narathiwat

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CONFERENCE PROCEEDING

Evaluation of using lichens for air quality indicator in Chulabhorn Pattana 12 village, Narathiwat

Manchunan Yeesin¹, Sunhanut Munkong¹ , Saifon Sittimongkol²

1 Demonstration School Prince of Songkla University, Pattani Campus , 94000, Pattani, Thailand

2 Department of Science, Faculty Science and Technology, Prince of Songkla University, Pattani campus, 94000, Pattani, Thailand

*Corresponding author: email address: [email protected]

ABSTRACT

Lichens are made up of fungi and algae in symbiotic relationships that can be used as an indicator. The objective was to Study and classify lichen by pollution resistance and use lichen as a bioindicator for air quality in Chulabhorn Pattana 12 village, Narathiwat Province. We collected data from April 2021 - to January 2022 by dividing the survey into 3 periods: pre-rainy season, rainy season, and summer. and dividing the survey area into 3 areas, community areas, villagers' agricultural areas, and forest areas surveyed at 3 points per area. Randomly selected 10 trees that have a circumference of more than 50 cm. Placed 50 x 30 cm gride frame on the tree and investigated lichens. All lichen was found in 20 species, of which 5 were in the highly tolerant group, 12 were in the tolerance group and 3 were the in sensitivity group. When comparing with the air quality assessment criteria, it was found that the overall air quality of the forest area was “fair air”, and the agricultural area and community area were “fairly good air”. Therefore, the air quality of Chulabhorn Phatthana Village 12, Narathiwat Province was

“fairly good air”. based on various factors data. It was shown that, If sea level, road distance, and relative humidity in the air increase. Perennial frequency per lichen species tended to decrease. If the light intensity and air temperature increase, perennial frequency per lichen species tended to increase. From the survey, it was found that in the Chulabhorn Phatthana 12 village area, lichens can be used as an indicator of air quality, but it is necessary to collect data on factors affecting the growth of lichens.

Along with other environmental factors to analyze the relationship of lichen with various environmental factors.

Keywords: Lichens, Air quality, Bioindicators, Perennial frequency

INTRODUCTION

Chulabhorn Pattana 12 village is located in the area of Sukhirin Subdistrict, Sukhirin District, Narathiwat Province. Characteristics of Chulabhorn Pattana 12 village is a forest that consists of watershed forest areas and important plant preservation areas. There are ecological and historical study routes. The abundance of this forest can be indicated by the presence of hornbills in this forest and the area is also connected to the Hala-Bala Forest.

Lichens is a combination of fungi and algae, both of which are interdependent.

and because lichens do not have a covering surface.That why lichens can be air quality indicator, measured by their resistance to pollution. if there is a lot of pollution, There will be found less of lichen group that has low pollution resistance but the lichen that has high pollution resistance is more founded. Finally,We choose Chulabhorn Phatthana Village 12 as the survey area and divided into 3 areas, forest area,

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agricultural area and community area for use the classification of lichen groups in each area ,In order to see the difference in the climate of each area and the difference in pollution.

METHODOLOGY

Dividing areas

Devised survey area by dividing the area into 3 areas, forest area, agricultural area and community area.In each area there are 3 survey points. It means there are totaling 9 survey points.

Selecting Trees

Selected 10 trees in each point that have the most lichen , and have circumference more than 50 cm.

Various factors data

Collected various factors data by measured tree stem circumference, measured light intensity and measured relative humidity and temperature.

Lichen data

Collected lichen data by placed gride frame (50 x 30 cm) and investigated lichen species.Then taked photos by used protractor for measurement.

Classify datas

Classify lichen into 3 group,High-tolerance group,Tolerance group and sensitivity group. To bring the data of each group to compare with the criteria to indicated air quality of each survey area.

Discussed survey results

Discussed survey results to determine the relationship of lichen to environmental factors, The rate of lichen in each group in each area. Then to indicated air quality of Chulabhorn Pattana Village 12, Sukhirin District, Narathiwat Province.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The forest area has an average elevation of 172 meters at sea level. The highest average air humidity of 82.27% Relative Humidity (RH) in all three surveyed areas (p<0.05).

It had an average temperature of 30.2 degrees Celsius and the lowest average light intensity of 103.80 Lux in the three areas (p<0.05). Forests also had the greatest distance from roads, with an average road distance of 294.13 meters (p<0.05).

The agricultural area has an average elevation of 145 meters above sea level.

The average relative humidity of the air is 64.36%RH, less than forested areas (p<0.05) but greater than community areas. The average temperature was 32.4 degrees Celsius at the highest. It has an average light intensity of 7768.23 Lux, more than forested areas but less than community areas. In addition, the agricultural area has a distance from the road that is less than the forest area but more than the community area. The average distance from the road is 40.12 meters.

The community area has an average sea level elevation of 133.33 m. The lowest average was 62.59%RH relative humidity in all three survey areas (p<0.05). It had an average temperature of 31.7 degrees Celsius. The community area had an average light intensity of 11110.70 Lux, the highest of the three survey areas (p<0.05). Community

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areas also had the lowest distance from roads, with an average road distance of 28.37 meters (p<0.05).

Assessment criteria

Good air Commonly found "sensitivity group" lichens (frequency of number of perennial plants per lichen species greater than or equal to 7)

Fairly good air Total frequency of perennial plants per lichen species of "tolerance group" more than twice of "high tolerance" group, or the frequency does not exceed twice, but was found 'sensitivity group'

Fair air Total frequency of perennial plants per lichen species of the 'tolerance group' was less than or equal to twice of the "high-tolerance group"

Almost fair air Total frequency of perennial plants per lichen species of the

"Tolerance group" was equal to "High-tolerance group"

Bad air "High tolerance group" more than other groups.

Very bad air Only “High tolerance group” were found.

No lichen found May have severe air pollution problems or other causes.

Table 1. Air quality of Forest area (A)

Survey periods A1 A2 A3 Overall each period

1. Pre-rainy season (April 2021)

2. Rainy season (October 2021)

3. Summer season (January 2022)

Overall each point

After compare graph of Total frequency of perennial plants per lichen species with assessment critiria the result show up like this, overall air quality of the forest area was “fair air”

Table 2. Air quality of Agricultural area (B)

Survey periods B1 B2 B3 Overall each period

After compare graph of Total frequency of perennial plants per lichen species with assessment critiria the result show up like this, overall air quality of agricultural areas and forest area was “fairly good air”.

Table 3. Air quality of Community area (C)

Survey periods C1 C2 C3 Overall each period

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After compare graph of Total frequency of perennial plants per lichen species with assessment critiria the result show up like this, overall air quality of the

community area was “fairly good air”.

CONCLUSION

From the survey.All lichen was found in 20 species, 19 genera, and 12 families, of which 5 were high-tolerance group, 12 were tolerance group and 3 were sensitivity group.When compared data with the air quality assessment criteria, it was found that the overall air quality of the forest area was “fair air” ,overall air quality of agricultural areas and community area was “fairly good air”.Therefore, the air quality of Chulabhorn Phatthana Village 12, Sukhirin Sub-district, Sukhirin District, Narathiwat Province was in the “fairly good air”. After the survey, it can be conclude that lichens can be used as an indicator of air quality, but it is necessary to collect data on factors affecting the growth of lichens.

along with other environmental factors.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This project was supported by Science Classroom in University Affiliated School (SCiUS) under Prince of Songkla University, Pattani campus and Demonstration School Prince of Songkla University. The funding of SCiUS is provided by Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation. This extended abstract is not for citation.

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