title: Physiological effects of mercury in the lichens Cladonia arbuscula subsp. mitis (Sandst.) Ruoss and Peltigera rufescens (Weiss) Humb.
abstract: This study aimed at investigating the cellular distribution of Hg in the lichens Cladonia arbuscula subsp. mitis and Peltigera rufescens treated with Hg²(+) and at testing if Hg treatment affects selected physiological parameters. In both species, increasing Hg accumulation under increasing Hg supply in the treatment solutions was found. P. rufescens showed a higher intracellular accumulation. Photosynthetic parameters were negatively affected in both species, as indicated by the decrease in photosynthetic pigments content, photosynthetic efficiency and chlorophyll integrity. Cell membranes of both species endured damage as indicated by the increase in the concentration of products of lipid peroxidation and decrease in ergosterol content. Nevertheless, differences between the two species were found, suggesting a differential sensitivity to Hg.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Science "G. Sarfatti", University of Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Tommaso
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pisani
authors.forename: Silvana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Munzi
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Paoli
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bačkor
authors.forename: Jozef
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kováčik
authors.forename: Juraj
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Piovár
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Loppi
mesh_terms: D001203:Ascomycota / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D002734:Chlorophyll / Q000378:metabolism; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D004875:Ergosterol / Q000378:metabolism; D008011:Lichens / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008628:Mercury / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D010788:Photosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D002734:Chlorophyll; D008628:Mercury; D004875:Ergosterol