LICHENS AS A MEANS OF ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT – APPLICATIONS OF THE INDEX OF ATMOSPHERIC PURITY (IAP)

Abstract

The results obtained in environmental impact studies often do not present a quality and reliability database.} The high costs of installing instrumental monitoring equipment and the geographical extent of the study areas have not allowed a correct environmental assessment to be carried out. Th us, the application of lichens as bioindicators of atmospheric pollutants has emerged as a complementary option. Th e application of the Atmospheric Purity Index (IPA) protocol is the most widely used; however, there are currently more than twenty types of IPA which have been modifi ed from the original formula. In this context, the present study aims to analyze the theoretical aspects related to the application of the IPA methodology in diff erent contexts, to recommend the most widely used formula, easy application and standardization. As a result, it was defi ned that the protocol used by Crespo is the one with the highest frequency of application among the studies related to the use of lichens as bioindicators.