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Question
How many of the following statements are true?
I. Mosses and lichens can not only indicate the existence of air pollution but can also help in measuring air quality
II. Some species of mosses are highly sensitive to increased levels of nitrogen in the atmosphere
III. Growth of lichens indicate that coal has not been burnt in the area for quite some time
IV. Old man’s beard is a type of moss that grows only when air has high levels of sulphur dioxide
How many of the following statements are true?
I. Mosses and lichens can not only indicate the existence of air pollution but can also help in measuring air quality
II. Some species of mosses are highly sensitive to increased levels of nitrogen in the atmosphere
III. Growth of lichens indicate that coal has not been burnt in the area for quite some time
IV. Old man’s beard is a type of moss that grows only when air has high levels of sulphur dioxide
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Solution
The correct option is B 2
Living organisms which can indicate the presence of air pollutants in a habitat are known as bioindicators of air pollution.
Lichens and mosses are significant bioindicators of air pollution because they are extremely sensitive to pollutants and do not grow in areas having high levels of pollution. But they are unable to give a measure of the ambient air quality. AQI or Air Quality Index is used for the purpose of measuring air quality.
Thus, statement I is false.
Mosses serve as bioindicators of air pollution as they are unable to grow in areas having a high degree of air pollution. The presence of toxic pollutants in the air highly affects the survival of mosses as they get most of their nutrients directly from the air and rain. Some moss species are especially sensitive to increased levels of nitrogen.
Thus, statement II is true.
Lichens are symbiotic associations between a fungal component (mycobiont) and an algal component (phycobiont). Growth of lichens indicates that coal has not been burnt in the area for quite some time which in turn shows that the level of pollution in the area is less. Old man's beard is a type of lichen that does not grow in areas with a high concentration of sulphur dioxide.
Thus, statement III is true but IV is false.
Living organisms which can indicate the presence of air pollutants in a habitat are known as bioindicators of air pollution.
Lichens and mosses are significant bioindicators of air pollution because they are extremely sensitive to pollutants and do not grow in areas having high levels of pollution. But they are unable to give a measure of the ambient air quality. AQI or Air Quality Index is used for the purpose of measuring air quality.
Thus, statement I is false.
Mosses serve as bioindicators of air pollution as they are unable to grow in areas having a high degree of air pollution. The presence of toxic pollutants in the air highly affects the survival of mosses as they get most of their nutrients directly from the air and rain. Some moss species are especially sensitive to increased levels of nitrogen.
Thus, statement II is true.
Lichens are symbiotic associations between a fungal component (mycobiont) and an algal component (phycobiont). Growth of lichens indicates that coal has not been burnt in the area for quite some time which in turn shows that the level of pollution in the area is less. Old man's beard is a type of lichen that does not grow in areas with a high concentration of sulphur dioxide.
Thus, statement III is true but IV is false.
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