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Title: Use of lichen biomass to monitor dissolved metals in natural waters

Journal Article · · Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology; (USA)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01700151· OSTI ID:7098778
;  [1]
  1. McNeese State Univ., Lake Charles, LA (USA)

The use of lichens for monitoring airborne metals is based on their immobility and a tendency to accumulate metals to a high degree by the trapping of atmospheric particles and by adsorptive ion exchange processes in which dissolved metals in rainwater are picked up by cellular membranes. The powerful metal-accumulating ability of lichens has been demonstrated in the laboratory. This strong metal accumulating ability of lichen biomass from aqueous solutions would seem to make lichen material an ideal biomonitor of dissolved metals in natural waters. To test this the present study was initiated to monitor dissolved zinc, copper, lead, nickel, cadmium, iron, manganese, chromium, and mercury in an industrially-impacted bayou in southwestern Louisiana. The results obtained with lichen biomonitors will be compared with other studies of the same metals in periphyton and sediments from this waterway.

OSTI ID:
7098778
Journal Information:
Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology; (USA), Vol. 44:2; ISSN 0007-4861
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English