The Air Pollution Assay Kit includes: Foliose Lichen Sample Screw-Cap Test Tubes Methylene Blue Solution Cadmium Chloride Solution Lead Chloride Solution Lithium Chloride Solution Manganese Chloride Solution Sodium Chloride Solution Zinc Chloride Solution Windex® (Control) Other materials needed but not supplied: distilled water paper punch 8 graduated cylinders (at least 10-mL) strainer small plastic cups or beakers test tube racks or beakers for holding test tubes Note: The chemicals and lichen sample may be stored at room temperature for 6 months if needed.

Use the links below to view the Material Data Safety Sheets (MSDS) for the item(s) on this page. MSDS will open in a new window, so please disable popup blockers. Cadmium Chloride, 2.5 Hydrate Lead Chloride Magnesium Chloride Manganous Chloride, 4-Hydrate Methylene Blue Sodium Chloride Zinc Chloride

Intermediate - Easy to perform; requires some basic training in microbiology.

For a class of 30. Lichens are extremely sensitive to air pollution. Their decreasing numbers in a particular location is an indication of increasing air pollution.

Students stain a lichen sample and then subject it to various cation solutions. The speed with which the dye is leached out of the lichen correlates with the speed at which these cations from polluted air are taken up by lichen in nature.

The exercise can be completed in 2 class periods. A paper punch is required, but not included. With teacher instructions.