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OPAL Air Survey. What is air?. Air is a mixture of gases Nitrogen 78.09%, Oxygen 20.95%, 1% other. Why is it important?. Life on earth. Animals. Plants. Humans. Humans. Inhale : Oxygen (O2). Exhale : Carbon dioxide (CO2). Air pollution. Sources :
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What is air? • Air is a mixture of gases • Nitrogen 78.09%, Oxygen 20.95%, 1% other
Life on earth Animals Plants Humans
Humans Inhale : Oxygen (O2) Exhale : Carbon dioxide (CO2)
Air pollution Sources : Vehicles Factories Houses Aerosols Farming Effects: Smog Acid rain Climate change
Nitrogen pollution • Sources: Car fumes, factories, fertilisers • Problem: Producing too much nitrogen • Effects: Acid rain, harming ecosystems, contributing to global warming
Where do you find the most nitrogen pollution? Countryside Suburban City
Bio-indicators • Bio-indicators are living organisms that can be used to monitor the health of an environment or ecosystem. Examples include: • Canaries used by coal miners • Invertebrates in streams e.g. Mayfly nymph
What is a lichen? I have a flattened body I have no roots I have no stem I have no leaves
Lichens – Two lives in one • A lichen is a partnership between a fungus and an alga. • The fungus (mycobiont) provides protection and the alga (photobiont) provides food. • Reproduce by fragmentation or through soredia
Symbiosisor controlled parasitism? • By existing together they can live in places they couldn’t survive on their own.
Where do lichens grow? • Anywhere – even in the most extreme environments Hot Cold African deserts Rocky shores Alpine peaks
Lichen biodiversity • 18,000 identified worldwide 1,700 in Britain • Some lichens are more tolerant to pollution than others Bushy Leafy Crusty I hate nitrogen! I nitrogen!
Spot the lichen 1 2 3
Activity 1 – lichens on trees • Sample 4 deciduous trees – un shaded • Identify the tree species • Measure the girth of the tree • Identify all indicator lichens on one face of the trunk • Look at the twigs of the tree – record lichens • Record insects that you see 1 2 3 4
Tar spot • Fungus Rhytisma acerinum • Sensitive to pollution • Growth is reduced by sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen • The more tar spot the less polluted the air Count as 2 spots
Make your results count Website : www.OPALexplorenature.org Results can also be posted in for free! Enjoy the survey!!!!