• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.313-328
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• 2001

The lichen is generally used as a bio-indicator for the estimation of air pollution. The purpose of this research is to diagnose the level of air pollution by means of lichen Chongju region, relative to the direction of the dominant Wind(WNW) and the distance from the air pollution source. As a result it reveals that the industrial estate, its surroundings and inner city are confronting lichen desert phenomenon, According to the I.A.P index the average SO$_2$density in Chongju city in estimated above 0.03 ppm. However, the number of lichen species and its coverage are increased as the distance becomes further from the pollution source.