Comparison between the accumulation capacity of four lichen species transplanted to a urban site.
The capacity to accumulate trace elements from the atmosphere of the lichens Hypogymnia physodes, Parmelia sulcata, Pseudevernia furfuracea and Usnea gr. hirta transplanted to an urban site of N Italy was compared. Twenty-nine elements (Al, As, Br, Ca, Cd, Ce, Cl, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Hg, I, K, La, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se, Sm, Th, Ti, V, Zn) were analyzed by Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) and Electro-Thermal Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (ET-AAS). The ratio between the concentrations of each element in exposed samples to that of control samples (exposed-to-control ratio and EC ratio) was used to investigate the accumulation rates of lichen thalli. The results showed that in general elements did not exhibit well defined trends, but rather showed fluctuations, and indicated that H. physodes, P. furfuracea and U. gr. hirta have a similar accumulation capacity, while that of P. sulcata is lower.
Bergamaschi
L
L
CNR, Unit of Radiochemistry and Spectroscopy, Institute of Metrology IMGC, Pavia, Italy.
Rizzio
E
E
Giaveri
G
G
Loppi
S
S
Gallorini
M
M
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D008011:Lichens / Q000737:chemistry*; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis; D009501:Neutron Activation Analysis / Q000379:methods; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic / Q000379:methods; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000032:analysis*; D014507:Urbanization; D020949:Usnea / Q000737:chemistry
D000393:Air Pollutants; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D014131:Trace Elements