Biological measuring techniques for the determination and evaluation of effects of air pollutants (biomonitoring) - Determination of nitrogen accumulation in the foliose lichen Parmelia sulcata detecting effects of ambient air pollutants
Contamination of terrestrial ecosystems by eutrophic inputs has still to be regarded as a considerable hazard for biodiversity in Germany. In order to identify the nitrogen contamination of an area the determination of the nitrogen content of Parmelia sulcata can be used as a biological measurement method. The method uses Parmelia sulcata's attribute to accumulate nitrogen in the thallus, proportional to the supply of airborne reactive nitrogen compounds. The standard describes requirements regarding sampling and sample preparation and gives advice for evaluation. The standard can be used e.g. for a spatially differentiated assessment of the biological effects of atmospheric nitrogen inputs in urban or rural areas, for examination of the effects of nitrogenous pollution in the vicinity of industrial plants, or for examination of the efficiency of measures for reduction of biologically active nitrogen compounds.