Accumulation du plomb par les lichens

Abstract

Lichens accumulate high concentrations of lead and particularly atmospheric lead from automobile pollution. In some species as Lecanora conizaeoides, Evemia prunastri and Hypogymnia physodes, an equilibrum with the atmospheric lead is reached very rapidly. So, the level of lead pollution can be estimated by determination of lead accumulated in lichen samples near motorways. In absence of continuous recording, monitoring of lead is also possible with lichens. The phenomenon of lead export is observed for the first time in field material, probably in relation with rain acidity. © 1992 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.