Airborne metals and SO2 monitored by epiphytic lichens in an industrial area

1978; Elsevier BV; Volume: 17; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/0013-9327(78)90042-3

ISSN

1878-2450

Autores

Kim Pilegaard,

Tópico(s)

Heavy metals in environment

Resumo

The epiphytic lichen Lecanora conizaeoides was used as a monitor organism of airborne metals around an industrial area (a steelworks and an iron foundry) at Frederiksvaerk, Denmark. Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, V and Zn were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and K and Na by flame emission techniques. SO2 air pollution levels were estimated by the distribution of lichen species with different SO2 sensitivities. A similar regional variation was found within the Frederiksvaerk area of concentrations of the heavy metals Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, V and Zn, showing increasing concentrations in Lecanora conizaeoides towards the pollution sources. The order of the maximum enrichment factors was: Cd 74, Pb 62, Cu 35, Cr 34, V 31, Fe 28, Mn 28, Zn 26 and Ni 9. The air pollution in the area results in elevated concentrations of heavy metals in Lecanora conizaeoides within a radius of at least 3 km from the industrial area.

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