Moss as bio-indicator for air quality monitoring

Abstract

Air quality monitoring nowadays has become a vital role to assess air quality level, to ensure the health of community are not affected with poor air quality. However, approaches for air quality monitoring either via physical or chemical assessment has built up some constraints. Time consuming, inaccuracy of data due to high maintenance of monitoring devices and only require competent person that able to conduct the monitoring. Therefore, the demand of using bio-indicator, such as moss, for air quality monitoring has risen due to multiple advantages. In this study, moss response and survivability rate towards acidic condition has been physically observed. The color changed and moss grid area were the parameters used to observe moss after acidic treatment. The moss, Leucobryum glaucum, was treated with artificial acid rain at three different pH; pH 3, 4 and 5. The moss was treated with 25 ml of artificial acid rain, once in two days for the duration of over 10 weeks; from week 4 until week 14 during the study period. The result showed that the moss mostly reacted towards lower pH of acid rain, at pH 3. The survivability rate of moss was decreasing when treated with pH 5 to pH 3. The physical observation which is determined by the area covered by moss (per square meter), showed that most of the area that covered by moss are affected at pH 3. The fresh green color that were observed before the artificial acid rain treatment has changed to yellowish color towards the 10 week of treatment. This study suggested that moss could be used by communities as a simple bio-indicator, to monitor air quality, especially for determination of acidic condition in certain area due to any surrounding factors.