Members of the public sought to help scientists with essential air quality research

Press release issued by Open Air Laboratories (OPAL)
For immediate use
Tuesday 29 September 2009

Open Air Laboratories (OPAL) launches its national Air Survey on 29 September 2009. The project aims to find out more about the impact of air quality all over England by inviting the public to investigate lichens growing on trees in their local area, and to count black ‘tar spots’ on the leaves of sycamore trees.

The survey has been developed with experts from the British Lichen Society and is one of several projects being led by Imperial College London scientists as part of the wider OPAL initiative. OPAL has been awarded a grant of £11.7 million by the Big Lottery Fund to inspire a new generation of nature enthusiasts.

Lichens are plant-like organisms that form when a fungus and algae develop together. They have been known as clean air indicators since the last century when acid rain caused lichens to disappear in our towns, cities and beyond. Now they are returning and can be found all year round in urban areas and the countryside, and on a variety of surfaces from tree bark to park benches and pavements. Recent research has identified that some lichens thrive on air pollution whilst others are highly sensitive to it. This means they can be used to indicate what air quality is like today.

Some lichens thrive on air pollution whilst others are highly sensitive to it, meaning they can be used to indicate what air quality is like today

Survey participants will help build a map of pollution-loving and sensitive lichens right across England. They will be asked to record the different types they find in their neighbourhood as a way of assessing pollutant levels in the area. People will also be asked to count the number of tar spots on sycamore leaves so that scientists can investigate whether the fungus that causes these spots is also sensitive to pollution.

By gathering data from people about the indicator lichens and the amount of tar spot fungus they find, the OPAL Air Team hopes to find out more about the impacts of air pollution in the UK.

The OPAL Air Survey is focused on nitrogen-containing pollutants, namely oxides of nitrogen and ammonia, which are known to affect the growth of different types of lichens. Oxides of nitrogen are produced when fossil fuels are burned and are particularly associated with vehicle exhaust emissions.

Ammonia is emitted as a result of intensive agricultural processes, including the use of fertilisers. Oxides of nitrogen are known to affect human health and, together with ammonia, can also have negative effects on the natural environment. Differences in the responses of individual species to these pollutants can alter the structure and diversity of plant communities, with implications for the sustainability of natural and semi-natural ecosystems.

OPAL Community Scientist, Dr Emma Green, from the Department of Life Sciences at Imperial College London, said “The OPAL Air Survey aims to expand the wealth of research that already exists about the air we breathe here in the UK. Information collected by the public will help us to build an even more detailed picture of our changing air quality and, ultimately, will help scientists trying to find out what effect such changes are having.”

Pat Wolseley, The British Lichen Society, said, “We want to find out more about what lichens can tell us about the changes in air quality in our towns and countryside. Are we seeing more of certain species in certain areas because the air is cleaner today? Or is it because the pollutants have changed? Everyone’s contribution to this survey is valuable; even a result of ‘no lichens’ still tells us something about the air quality in that area.”

Anyone can take part in the survey from 29 September 2009. A free survey pack, which includes a guide and workbook, can be obtained by emailing opalair@imperial.ac.uk, or downloaded from www.OPALexplorenature.org. Most of the additional items needed for the survey can be found around the home. Once completed, participants can upload their data on an interactive map showing what others have found in their area as well as nationally.

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Notes to editors

1. To request a pack email your contact name, organisation (if applicable), contact address (inc postcode) and the number of packs you would like to receive to opalair@imperial.ac.uk
2. Open Air Laboratories (OPAL) is a new nation-wide partnership initiative that will inspire communities to discover, enjoy and protect their local environments. It aims to create a new generation of nature-lovers by stimulating interest through local and national projects which are accessible, fun and relevant to anyone who wants to take part
3. The OPAL Air Survey is a collaborative project between Imperial College London, The British Lichen Society and the Natural History Museum
4. OPAL will provide the skills and materials needed for the first community-led study of the world around us. For more information, please visit www.OPALexplorenature.org  
5. The Big Lottery Fund’s Changing Spaces programme was launched in November 2005 to help communities enjoy and improve their local environments. The programme funds a range of activities from local food schemes and farmers markets, to education projects teaching people about the environment. Imperial College London (the leading OPAL partner) was awarded a £11,760,783 Changing Spaces grant in August 2007
6. The Big Lottery Fund, the largest of the National Lottery good cause distributors, has been rolling out grants to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK since its inception in June 2004. It was established by Parliament on 1 December 2006. Full details of the work of the Big Lottery Fund, its programmes and awards are available on the website: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk
7. Imperial College London is consistently rated amongst the world's best universities. It is a science-based institution with a reputation for excellence in teaching and research that attracts 13,000 students and 6,000 staff of the highest international quality. Innovative research at the College explores the interface between science, medicine, engineering and business, delivering practical solutions that improve quality of life and the environment - underpinned by a dynamic enterprise culture. Since its foundation in 1907, Imperial's contributions to society have included the discovery of penicillin, the development of holography and the foundations of fibre optics. This commitment to the application of research for the benefit of all continues today, with current focuses including interdisciplinary collaborations to improve health in the UK and globally, tackle climate change and develop clean and sustainable sources of energy.