Elemental content in the lichen Ramalina duriaei (De Not.) Jatta at air quality biomonitoring stations

Large quantities of sulphur were found in R. duriaei transplanted to sites around Hadéra, after 1 year of exposure. Chlorine and bromine were found in significant amounts in the sites along the sea shore. Chlorine seems to originate from the marine aerosol, while the origin of the high amounts of bromine is probably related to the brominated gasoline used by the cars on the highways which are parallel to the sea coast. A statistical cluster analysis was performed on the amounts of Ca, P, K, Br, Cl, S, Ti, Li and Sr and on the concentration of six additional elements: Zn, Ni, Cu, Cr, Pb and Cd, which were previously determined from the same biological material. We thus obtained clusters of locations with similar overall levels of the elements. This clustering is based on the data collected prior to the operation of the power station, and can be later used as a baseline for determining the effects of the pollutants emitted from the power station.