A doctor advises a patient to change home from the midst of a city to the city outskirts where lichens are found more.what could be the reason behind this advice?
http://www.earthlife.net/lichens/pollution.html
The reason a doctor might advise a patient to change homes from the midst of a city to the city outskirts where lichens are found more could be related to air pollution. Lichens are sensitive to air quality and can serve as an indicator of pollution levels. Here's how to arrive at this conclusion:
1. Understand what lichens are: Lichens are composite organisms formed by the symbiotic association of a fungus with an alga or cyanobacterium. They are found in a variety of environments, including cities.
2. Explore the relationship between lichens and air quality: Lichens are very sensitive to air pollutant levels, particularly sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) emissions. They cannot survive in heavily polluted areas due to their intolerance to these pollutants. As a result, lichens tend to diminish or disappear in highly polluted urban areas.
3. Consider the doctor's rationale: The doctor's advice could suggest that the patient is suffering from respiratory problems exacerbated by air pollution. By moving to an area where lichens are more abundant, a patient could potentially reduce their exposure to harmful pollutants.
It's important to note that this explanation is speculative and based on general knowledge about lichens and air pollution. In a real-life situation, it's best to consult with a healthcare professional or specialist to understand the specific reasons behind such advice.