Evaluation of lichens as bio-indicators of metal pollution [Ocena porostów jako biologicznych wskazników zanieczyszczenia metalami]

Abstract

The objectives of this study have been to determine the impact of the distance from a combustor of a cement plant (downwind direction) and duration of exposure to pollution on the bioaccumulation of metals by four lichen species. Nickel, cadmium, chromium, copper and lead accumulated in lichen thalli, with the highest accumulation occurring at 50 m of the cement plant and upon prolonged exposure. In contrast, the concentrations of Al were not consistently affected by the distance from the plant or the duration of exposure. Pseudevernia furfuracea was most effective as an indicator of cement dust pollution. We concluded that transplantation of Pseudevernia furfuracea on trees or shrubs can be an easy and cost-effective means of Ni, Cd, Cr, Cu and Pb pollution monitoring.