Lichens as biomonitors of air pollution with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) - A review

Lichens can be used as a biomonitors for research and control of air pollution since they are valid instruments for assessing air quality affected by emissions from mobile or fixed sources. In this context, this paper manages to collect extensive information about the progress of research on the use of lichens as biomonitors of air quality, with emphasis on the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The aim of this review is to compile the results of research in this area that have been developed after 2001, when performing the publication of Conti and Cecchetti (Biological monitoring: lichens as bioindicators of Pollution assessment - a review). This review discusses the most important lines in the state of the art knowledge in this field, assessing the lichens methodological applications (sampling, physical and chemical treatment, instrumental analysis techniques, statistical tools and future prospects) and their advantages / disadvantages with respect to conventional research methods.