title: Epiphytic lichens as indicators of environmental quality around a municipal solid waste landfill (C Italy).
abstract: Epiphytic lichens have been used as indicators of environmental quality around a municipal solid waste landfill in C Italy. An integrated approach, using the diversity of epiphytic lichens, as well as element bioaccumulation and physiological parameters in the lichen Flavoparmelia caperata (L.) Hale was applied along a transect from the facility. The results highlighted the biological effects of air pollution around the landfill. The Index of Lichen Diversity (ILD) increased and the content of heavy metals (Cr, Cd, Cu, Fe, Ni and Zn) decreased with distance from the landfill. Clear stress signals were observed in lichens growing in front of the facility, i.e. discoloration, necrosis, membrane lipid peroxidation, lower ergosterol content, higher dehydrogenase activity. Decreased photosynthetic efficiency, altered chlorophyll integrity and production of secondary metabolites were also found. The results suggested that lichens can be profitably used as bioindicators of environmental quality around landfills.
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, via P.A. Mattioli 4, I-53100 Siena, Italy. Electronic address: paoli4@unisi.it.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Paoli
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, via P.A. Mattioli 4, I-53100 Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Grassi
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, via P.A. Mattioli 4, I-53100 Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vannini
authors.affiliation: Department of Botany, Institute of Biology and Ecology, P.J. Šafárik University in Košice, Mánesova 23, SK-04001 Košice, Slovakia.
authors.forename: Ivana
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Maslaňáková
authors.affiliation: Department of Botany, Institute of Biology and Ecology, P.J. Šafárik University in Košice, Mánesova 23, SK-04001 Košice, Slovakia.
authors.forename: Ivana
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bil'ová
authors.affiliation: Department of Botany, Institute of Biology and Ecology, P.J. Šafárik University in Košice, Mánesova 23, SK-04001 Košice, Slovakia.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bačkor
authors.affiliation: via Porta San Marco, 196, I-51100, Pistoia, Italy.
authors.forename: Adelmo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Corsini
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, via P.A. Mattioli 4, I-53100 Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Loppi
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D044822:Biodiversity; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D007558:Italy; D008011:Lichens / Q000502:physiology*; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000378:metabolism*; D062611:Solid Waste; D064091:Waste Disposal Facilities
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D062611:Solid Waste
keywords: Air pollution; Biomonitoring; Chlorophyll; Flavoparmelia caperata; Heavy metals; Lichen Diversity Values