Biological Effects of Air Pollution on Sensitive Bioindicators: A Case Study from Milan, Italy
1
Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
2
Laboratory of Materials and Polymers (LaMPo), Department of Chemistry, University of Milan, via Golgi 19, 20133 Milan, Italy
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Academic Editor: Francesco Ferrini
Urban Sci. 2021, 5(3), 64; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci5030064
Received: 6 July 2021
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Revised: 11 August 2021
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Accepted: 19 August 2021
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Published: 26 August 2021
In this study, the physiological response of a sensitive lichen species (Evernia prunastri) exposed for three months in a complex urban area (Milan, Italy) was evaluated in order to verify if the air pollution abatement measures adopted over the years resulted in a suitable air quality for the survival of this sensitive species. Parameters investigated rely on the photosynthetic activity of the photobiont (Fv/Fm, PIabs, and OJIP curves), damage to mycobiont (membrane damage and antiradical activity), and the production of secondary metabolites involved in the protective functions of the organisms. Results showed that although air quality in Milan still suffers from heavy pollution from PM and NOx, the overall situation is not as severe as to induce the death of this sensitive biomonitor, at least in the short term. Nevertheless, the vital status of the samples exposed in the study area showed a significant impairment compared to that of samples exposed in a control area, indicating that the current air quality in Milan still prevents the optimal survival of E. prunastri.
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MDPI and ACS Style
Contardo, T.; Gazzotti, S.; Ortenzi, M.A.; Vannini, A.; Loppi, S. Biological Effects of Air Pollution on Sensitive Bioindicators: A Case Study from Milan, Italy. Urban Sci. 2021, 5, 64. https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci5030064
AMA Style
Contardo T, Gazzotti S, Ortenzi MA, Vannini A, Loppi S. Biological Effects of Air Pollution on Sensitive Bioindicators: A Case Study from Milan, Italy. Urban Science. 2021; 5(3):64. https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci5030064
Chicago/Turabian StyleContardo, Tania, Stefano Gazzotti, Marco A. Ortenzi, Andrea Vannini, and Stefano Loppi. 2021. "Biological Effects of Air Pollution on Sensitive Bioindicators: A Case Study from Milan, Italy" Urban Science 5, no. 3: 64. https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci5030064
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