Lichens as bioindicators of air pollution: I licheni come bioindicatori di inquinamento atmosferico

M. Galun, J. Garty, R. Ronen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

The absorbtion and accumulation of eight elements were studied in the tolerant lichen Caloplaca aurantia(Pers.) Hellb. These criteria were used for comparative evaluations between relatively unpolluted (rural and suburban) areas and contaminated (urban-industrial) locations. The sensitive lichen Ramalina duriaei (DeNot.) Jatta was used to assess the air quality at various distances from a newly constructed coal fired power plant. Branches of carob trees, richly colonized with R. duriaei were transplanted from the «clean» control site to thirteen biomonitoring stations for one year and the effect induced by air contaminants during the exposure period estimated. The pigments of the lichen thalli were extracted in dimenthyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and the ratio OD 435/OD 415 used to estimate chlorophyll degradation. The ratio values decreased with the increase of Br, Pb, Zn, Fe, and Ti content. No significant correlation was found between the total sulfur content in the lichen and chlorophyll degradation. We show the capacity of R. duriaei to monitor the effect of multiple factors and suggest re-examination at suitable intervals to assess changes in the combination of air contaminants.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)371-383
Number of pages13
JournalWebbia
Volume38
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 1984

Keywords

  • Air pollution
  • Heavy metals
  • Indicator
  • Lichens
  • Toleration

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