Biological indication of heavy metal pollution in the areas of Donje Vlase and Cerje (southeastern Serbia) using epiphytic lichens

• Main Authors: Stamenković S.S., Mitrović Tatjana Lj., Cvetković V.J., Krstić N.S., Baošić Rada M., Marković Marija S., Nikolić N.D., Marković V.Lj., Cvijan M.V.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: University of Belgrade, University of Novi Sad 2013-01-01
• Series: Archives of Biological Sciences
• Subjects: Lichens; Evernia prunastri (L.) Ach.; Parmelia sulcata Taylor; bioindication; air pollution; bioaccumulation; heavy metals; ICP OES; hierarchical cluster analysis
• Online Access: http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0354-4664/2013/0354-46641301151S.pdf

The performance of two epiphytic lichen species (Evernia prunastri (L.) Ach. and Parmelia sulcata Taylor) as bioindicators of heavy metal pollution in natural areas around the city of Niš (southeastern Serbia) were evaluated. The concentration of 19 heavy metals in lichen samples was measured by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy. For the majority of the elements the concentrations found in Parmelia sulcata Taylor were higher than in Evernia prunastri (L.) Ach. In addition, interspecific differences in heavy metal accumulation between Evernia prunastri (L.) Ach. and Parmelia sulcata Taylor are observed. Parmelia sulcata Taylor showed a tendency to accumulate Fe, Mn, Ni and Ti while Evernia prunastri (L.) Ach. preferentially concentrated Cu on both locations. A clear distinction between lithogenic (Mn-Cu-Ti) and atmospheric elements (Ni-Co-Cr-Ag-Pb-Hg) was achieved by cluster analysis. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. III41018, br. OI 171025, br. 172017 and br. III41017]