Lichen biomonitoring near Karabash Smelter Town, Ural Mountains, Russia, one of the most polluted areas in the world

• Published in: Proceedings of the Royal Society. B, Biological sciences Biological sciences, 2004-02, Vol.271 (1536), p.221-226
• Main Authors: Purvis, O. William, Chimonides, P. Jim, Jones, Gary C., Mikhailova, Irina N., Spiro, Baruch, Weiss, Dominik J., Williamson, Ben J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Atmospherics; Biogeochemical Signatures; Biomonitoring; Chemical analysis; Environmental Monitoring; Environmental Pollutants - analysis; Environmental pollution; Geography; Lichen; Lichens; Lichens - chemistry; Lichens - drug effects; Metallurgy; Metals, Heavy - analysis; Metals, Heavy - toxicity; Minerals; Mining; Multivariate Analysis; Particles; Particulate matter; Particulate pollution; Pollution; Radioactive Pollutants - analysis; Russia; Smelters; Soil pollution; Thallus; Uranium - analysis
• ISSN: 0962-8452; 1471-2954
• DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2003.2616

Biogeochemical signatures were investigated in transplanted and native lichens near a major pollution source using sensitive multi-element chemical analysis. Transplants were established across a 60 km transect centred on the smelter town of Karabash, Ural Mountains, Russia. Statistically significant trends in element concentrations were recorded, some below one part per million. Fine metal particles are accumulated from pollution aerosols. Prolonged exposure may lead to cellular damage and enhanced accumulation or element loss. 206Pb : 207Pb isotope ratios are similar to those associated with airborne particles in Europe and Russia; an outlier near Kyshtym with a lower ratio indicates a source with a higher 235U : 238U ratio. The method is discrete, sensitive, able to detect short-term pollution episodes and useful for understanding element cycling, which is of critical importance for human and environmental health.