title: Heavy element accumulation in Evernia prunastri lichen transplants around a municipal solid waste landfill in central Italy.
abstract: This paper presents the results of a biomonitoring study to evaluate the environmental impact of airborne emissions from a municipal solid waste landfill in central Italy. Concentrations of 11 heavy elements, as well as photosynthetic efficiency and cell membrane integrity were measured in Evernia prunastri lichens transplanted for 4months in 17 monitoring sites around the waste landfill. Heavy element contents were also determined in surface soils. Analytical data indicated that emissions from the landfill affected Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Sb and Zn concentrations in lichens transplanted within the landfill and along the fallout direction. In these sites moderate to severe accumulation of these heavy elements in lichens was coupled with an increase in cell membrane damage and decrease in photosynthetic efficiency. Nevertheless, results indicated that landfill emissions had no relevant impact on lichens, as heavy element accumulation and weak stress symptoms were detected only in lichen transplants from sites close to solid waste. The appropriate management of this landfill poses a low risk of environmental contamination by heavy elements.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical, Earth and Environment Sciences, University of Siena, Via del Laterino 8, I-53100 Siena, Italy. Electronic address: nannoni@unisi.it.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nannoni
authors.affiliation: Department of Earth, Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Urbino "Carlo Bo", Via Cà le Suore 2/4, I-61029 Urbino, Italy.
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Santolini
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical, Earth and Environment Sciences, University of Siena, Via del Laterino 8, I-53100 Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Protano
mesh_terms: D001203:Ascomycota / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D007558:Italy; D008011:Lichens / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D062611:Solid Waste; D064091:Waste Disposal Facilities
chemical_list: D019216:Metals, Heavy; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D062611:Solid Waste
keywords: Biomonitoring; Heavy elements; Lichens; Soil; Solid waste landfill