Pollution Indicators

Question 1

What are lichens? What type of symbiotic relationship do they exist in?

Answer 1

• Found on trees and walls

- Symbiotic relationship between algae and photosynthetic fungi

Question 2

What happens in the lichen’s symbiotic relationship?

Answer 2

• Algae- contains chlorophyll, which allows it to photosynthesise and produce glucose. Glucose is used by the algae but also used by fungus.
• Fungus- provides shelter for the algae for it to grow in harsh conditions (eg: rock surfaces)

Question 3

What are crustaceous species?

Answer 3

Lichens that crust on the surface

Question 4

How can lichens indicate pollution?

Answer 4

The leafier(foliose)/shrubbier (fruticose) the lichen = the less polluted the area

Question 5

How can aquatic invertebrates be used to indicate pollution?

Answer 5

Used to detect oxygen levels in freshwater

Question 6

What is kick sampling and how can it indicate pollution?

Answer 6

• Involves kicking upstream for 5 mins and then catching any aquatic vertebrates in a net
• Count how many species of invertebrates are present and their abundance
• Use this to compare sites and determine pollution levels (less aquatic life = less oxygen = more pollution)

Question 7

What are 2 examples of bio-indicators of pollution?

Answer 7

1) Lichens

2) Aquatic invertebrates