Lichens in relation to the Four Corners Power Plant in New Mexico

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1979 · Bryologist; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/3241963· OSTI ID:5018382

Marsh, J E; Nash, T H

In the region around the Four Corners Power Plant of New Mexico, 159 lichen species in 40 genera are recorded. Although the power plant has operated over 10 years, no marked gradient in species composition or lichen cover data were evident in relation to the power plant. Eight desert lichen species are shown to be sensitive to 0.5 ppm SO/sub 2/ when moist but are insensitive when dry. Because of the aridity of the climate the lichens are probably rarely susceptible to SO/sub 2/ injury. In addition the lack of pattern probably reflects the dominance of resistant crustose growth forms in the lichen flora and the fact that ground level SO/sub 2/ concentrations are relatively low even though SO/sub 2/ emissions are relatively high.

• Research Organization: Arizona State Univ., Tempe
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 5018382
• Journal Information: Bryologist; (United States), Journal Name: Bryologist; (United States) Vol. 82:1; ISSN BRYOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560303* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Plants-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ALGAE
ARID LANDS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL INDICATORS
CHALCOGENIDES
CLIMATES
DATA
DESERTS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FEDERAL REGION VI
FUNGI
GASEOUS WASTES
INFORMATION
INJURIES
LICHENS
NEW MEXICO
NORTH AMERICA
NUMERICAL DATA
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PLANTS
POWER PLANTS
SPECIES DIVERSITY
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFUR DIOXIDE
SULFUR OXIDES
USA
WASTES