BIOMONITORING PENCEMARAN TIMBAL (PB) DI KOTA BANDUNG MENGGUNAKAN LICHEN

• Main Author: Nurani, Sebening
• Format: Final Project
• Language: Indonesia
• Subjects: Ilmu hayati ; Biologi
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/61379
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

The danger of lead pollution (Pb) caused by fuel combustion urged the leaded gasoline phase out policy release which had been implemented in Bandung since July 2006 in accordance with UU no. 23/1997 and the Regulation of Indonesia’s Minister of Environment in 2000. The impact of this policy on Pb levels in the air can be examined through lichen biomonitoring, considering lichen’s sensitivity to air pollution that can be observed through the accumulation of pollutants in its thallus and changes in its diversity. This study aims to biomonitor lead pollution in the city of Bandung by measuring lead accumulation in Lepraria sp. before and after the leaded gasoline phase out policy and evaluate air quality using the Index of Atmospheric Purity (IAP). This research was conducted on three roads in Bandung, namely Jl. Panatayuda, Jl. Nyland, and Jl. W. R. Supratman. Microclimate parameters, traffic density, lichen diversity, and Pb accumulation in Lepraria sp. using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) was measured at each location then compared with the results of research by Robiansyah (2006). The results showed a decreasing trend in Pb accumulation at all three locations. A significant increase in temperature and decrease in air humidity was observed, however microclimate parameters were found to be not correlated with lichen Pb accumulation. Meanwhile, there was a significant increase in vehicle density which correlated strongly with lead accumulation. The decrease in lichen Pb accumulation that was observed despite the increase in vehicle density is thought to be caused by reduced Pb levels in the air due to the phase out of leaded gasoline. Observation of lichen diversity resulted in the finding of Lepraria sp., Parmotrema sp., Dirinaria sp., and Candelaria sp. The IAP calculation of 14, 15, and 16 for Jl. Panatayuda, Jl. Nyland, and Jl. W. R. Supratman respectively indicated high pollution levels at all three locations.