Airborne Elements, Cell Membranes, and Chlorophyll in Transplanted Lichens

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to test the concentration of airborne mineral elements in the lichen Ramalina lacera (With.) J.R. Laund. in comparison with its physiological status. Thalli of Romalina lacera were collected in a remote unpolluted site and transplanted in a polluted region for 10 mo. An analysis of 20 elements in addition to an analysis of the status of cell membranes and the integrity of chlorophyll was performed after this period of transplantation. The lichen manifested a great potential for the accumulation of Pb, V, Ni, Zn, and Cu. Potassium and P were found to leach out. High concentrations of Ni, Mg, and B coincided with damage caused to cell membranes. The integrity of chlorophyll correlated with the concentration of K and correlated inversely with the concentration of Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and B.