Alpha 2.0
Login Register
» Articles » PMID: 21080091

Trace Element Concentrations from Lichen Transplants in Pretoria, South Africa

Overview
Journal Environ Sci Pollut Res Int
Publisher Springer
Specialties Environmental Health
Toxicology
Date 2010 Nov 17
PMID 21080091
Citations 5
Authors
Joshua Oluwole Olowoyo
E Van Heerden
J L Fischer
Affiliations
Soon will be listed here.
Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the level and possible sources of trace elements in Tshwane metropolis using transplanted lichen thallus of Parmelia sulcata with a view to evaluating the ability of this lichen species to monitor air pollutants from a perceived polluted environment.

Methods: Samples of the lichen thalli were transplanted into ten different sites and covered with a net. Samples were exposed for 3 months. Concentrations of ten trace elements were determined with the use of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.

Results: A significant difference was observed in the values of elemental concentration in lichen from unpolluted area and those transplanted to all the sites (p < 0.01). Variations in values of trace elements recorded in lichen transplant from different sites were also statistically significant (p < 0.01). The high traffic sites showed significantly higher elemental concentrations, particularly for Pb, Zn, and Cu than the industrial and residential areas (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Trends in the trace element values from different sites suggested that the elements might have come from anthropogenic sources.

Citing Articles

A review on arsenic in the environment: bio-accumulation, remediation, and disposal.

Patel K, Pandey P, Martin-Ramos P, Corns W, Varol S, Bhattacharya P RSC Adv. 2023; 13(22):14914-14929.

PMID: 37200696 PMC: 10186335. DOI: 10.1039/d3ra02018e.

Airborne trace elements near a petrochemical industrial complex in Thailand assessed by the lichen Parmotrema tinctorum (Despr. ex Nyl.) Hale.

Boonpeng C, Polyiam W, Sriviboon C, Sangiamdee D, Watthana S, Nimis P Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2017; 24(13):12393-12404.

PMID: 28357804 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-017-8893-9.

Potential of Opuntia ficus-indica for air pollution biomonitoring: a lead isotopic study.

Hayek E, El Samrani A, Lartiges B, Kazpard V, Benoit M, Munoz M Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2015; 22(22):17799-809.

PMID: 26160126 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-015-4998-1.

Response of the lichen Cladonia rei Schaer. to strong heavy metal contamination of the substrate.

Osyczka P, Rola K Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2013; 20(7):5076-84.

PMID: 23589242 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-013-1645-6.

Lead exposure in adult males in urban Transvaal Province, South Africa during the apartheid era.

Hess C, Cooper M, Smith M, Trueman C, Schutkowski H PLoS One. 2013; 8(3):e58146.

PMID: 23505462 PMC: 3591397. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0058146.

References
1.
Figueira R, Sergio C, Sousa A . Distribution of trace metals in moss biomonitors and assessment of contamination sources in Portugal. Environ Pollut. 2002; 118(1):153-63. DOI: 10.1016/s0269-7491(01)00203-2. View
2.
Giordani P . Is the diversity of epiphytic lichens a reliable indicator of air pollution? A case study from Italy. Environ Pollut. 2006; 146(2):317-23. DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2006.03.030. View
3.
Scerbo R, Ristori T, Possenti L, Lampugnani L, Barale R, Barghigiani C . Lichen (Xanthoria parietina) biomonitoring of trace element contamination and air quality assessment in Pisa Province (Tuscany, Italy). Sci Total Environ. 2002; 286(1-3):27-40. DOI: 10.1016/s0048-9697(01)00959-7. View
4.
Garty J, Weissman L, Cohen Y, Karnieli A, Orlovsky L . Transplanted lichens in and around the Mount Carmel National Park and the Haifa Bay industrial region in Israel: physiological and chemical responses. Environ Res. 2001; 85(2):159-76. DOI: 10.1006/enrs.2000.4222. View
5.
Conti M, Cecchetti G . Biological monitoring: lichens as bioindicators of air pollution assessment--a review. Environ Pollut. 2001; 114(3):471-92. DOI: 10.1016/s0269-7491(00)00224-4. View