Determination of baseline element composition of lichens using samples from high elevations

The results of a survey aimed at providing baseline element composition of lichens from unpolluted or very low polluted areas are reported. Lichen samples collected at high elevation areas in Himalayas (Nepal), Mt. Kenya (Kenya) and the Alps (Italy) were analyzed for their trace element content, mos...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Chemosphere (Oxford) 2004-05, Vol.55 (7), p.933-939
Main Authors: Bergamaschi, L., Rizzio, E., Giaveri, G., Profumo, A., Loppi, S., Gallorini, M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Air Pollutants - analysis
air pollution
Altitude
Analysis methods
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Applied ecology
Applied sciences
atmospheric deposition
Atmospheric pollution
Baseline concentrations
Biological and medical sciences
Biomonitoring
chemical constituents of plants
Dust - analysis
Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution
Effects of pollution and side effects of pesticides on plants and fungi
elements
Exact sciences and technology
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Heavy metals
High elevations
indicator species
Italy
Kenya
Lichens
Lichens - chemistry
mountains
Nepal
normal values
Pollution
Soil - analysis
Spectrophotometry, Atomic
Trace elements
Trace Elements - analysis
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Summary:The results of a survey aimed at providing baseline element composition of lichens from unpolluted or very low polluted areas are reported. Lichen samples collected at high elevation areas in Himalayas (Nepal), Mt. Kenya (Kenya) and the Alps (Italy) were analyzed for their trace element content, mostly by INAA, allowing for a multi-element analysis. The elemental composition of lichen samples was essentially influenced by natural occurrence, mainly airborne soil dust. However, also anthropogenic input determined by long-distance atmospheric transport of pollutants was involved for some highly volatile elements such as Br, Cd and Sb. To avoid the influence of soil contamination and air pollution, and obtain baseline concentrations to be used as reference (the “natural” elemental composition of lichens), the average of the lowest concentrations is suggested.
ISSN:0045-6535
1879-1298
DOI:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2003.12.010