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Lichen sensitivity to hydrogen fluoride

Journal Article · · Bull. Torrey Bot. Club; (United States)
OSTI ID:5607113

Lichens exposed to ambient fluoride at 4 ..mu..g F/m/sup 3/ accumulated fluoride within their thalli. Both in the field and in the laboratory, whenever the level of fluoride within the thallus exceeded 80 ppm, chlorosis was observed. Subsequently all the pigments were degraded and the lichen thalli disintegrated. In the field, wherever chlorotic transplants were found, high levels of fluoride on lime filter papers were also found. These intersecting lines of evidence strongly suggest that ambient fluoride was the cause of the lichen injury. The lichen's ability to accumulate fluoride is a function of relative humidity, which determines the moisture conditions of the thallus. 20 references, 3 tables.

Research Organization:
Rutgers - The State Univ., New Brunswick, NJ
OSTI ID:
5607113
Journal Information:
Bull. Torrey Bot. Club; (United States), Journal Name: Bull. Torrey Bot. Club; (United States) Vol. 98:2; ISSN BTBCA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English