26. hrvatski skup kemičara i kemijskih inženjera, Šibenik, 2019. 26th Croatian Meeting of Chemists and Chemical Engineers, Šibenik, 2019 SEM/EDS analysis of the epiphytic lichen Evernia prunastri as the bioindicator of air pollution SEM/EDS analiza epifitskog lišaja Evernia prunastri kao bioindikatora onečišćenja zraka Emina Ramić,1,2 Jasna Huremović,2 Sabina Žero,2 Almir Olovčić2 Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina 2 Faculty of Science, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina 1 E‐mail: emina.ramic@ffsa.unsa.ba Epiphytic lichens are efficient air pollution biomonitors as they obtain nutrients, water and pollutants from the atmosphere. The aim of this study was at analyzing the surface of hyphae and the surface of the lichens Evernia prunastri (unwashed and washed in distilled water). Mass percentage of 26 selected elements: C, O, Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Sn, Sb, Hg, Pb and Bi was determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS). Mass percentage of: Na, Mg, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Zn, As, Cd, Sn, Sb, Hg, Pb was below the limit of detection of the applied method. The mass percentage of all other determined elements on the hyphae and surface of lichen was higher in unwashed samples, except for C, O, P, Fe, Cl, Ca and Cu. The elemental analysis of the unwashed lichen surface showed the prevalence of: O, C, Si, Cu and Bi. Results obtained in the unwashed and washed lichen samples showed that the cleaning with water can be used in order to eliminate adhering materials. Indeed, most of elements of interest for the environmental contamination accumulated by the lichens were not removed. SEM images showed particles that are flat, with irregular shape and edges, generally smooth and rounded indicating that the particles deposited were dry aerosol particles. Figure 1: The SEM microscopic image of the unwashed surface of lichen Evernia prunastri. 224