Heavy Metal Concentrations in the Fruticose Lichen Usnea aurantiacoatra from King George Island, South Shetland Islands, West Antarctica

• Published in: Applied biological chemistry Vol. 52; no. 5; pp. 503 - 508
• Main Authors: Lim, H.S., Korea Polar Research Institute, KORDI, Incheon, Republic of Korea, Han, M.J., Sunchon National University, Sunchon, Republic of Korea, Seo, D.C., Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA, Kim, J.H., Korea Polar Research Institute, KORDI, Incheon, Republic of Korea, Lee, J.I., Korea Polar Research Institute, KORDI, Incheon, Republic of Korea, Park, H., Korea Polar Research Institute, KORDI, Incheon, Republic of Korea, Hur, J.S., Sunchon National University, Sunchon, Republic of Korea, Cheong, Y.H., Sunchon National University, Sunchon, Republic of Korea, Heo, J.S., Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Republic of Korea, Yoon, H.I., Korea Polar Research Institute, KORDI, Incheon, Republic of Korea, Cho, J.S., Sunchon National University, Sunchon, Republic of Korea
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer-Verlag 01.10.2009; Springer Nature B.V; 한국응용생명화학회
• Subjects: ANTARCTICA; ANTARCTIQUE; ANTARTIDA; Anthropogenic factors; Applied Microbiology; BIOASSAYS; Biological Techniques; Biomonitoring; Bioorganic Chemistry; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; ENSAYO BIOLOGICO; Food Science/Microbiology; HEAVY METALS; human impact; Human influences; Lead; LICHEN; LICHENES; Lichens; LIQUENES; Metal concentrations; METAL LOURD; METALES PESADOS; Metals; MONITORING; Morphology; Pollutants; SURVEILLANCE; TEST BIOLOGIQUE; Thalli; Trace metals; Usnea aurantiacoatra; Vertical distribution; VIGILANCIA; 농학; Antarctica; King George Island; heavy metal; Biomonitoring; Antarctica; lichen; Usnea aurantiacoatra; human impact
• ISSN: 1738-2203; 2468-0834; 2234-344X; 2468-0842
• DOI: 10.3839/jksabc.2009.086

The accumulation of selected heavy metals in the fruticose lichen Usnea aurantiacoatra is reported in the vicinity of the Korean research station on Barton Peninsula, King George Island, West Antarctica. To assess the impact of human activities in the study area, all samples were divided into five groups according to distance from the research station. The corresponding heavy metal levels in samples near the station were relatively higher than those collected far from the station. In particular, a very high level of Pb near the station strongly suggests the anthropogenic release of this pollutant. The relationship between trace metal content and age of the lichen was investigated, but no significant difference was found. When evaluating the vertical distribution of heavy metals in lichen thalli, most elements, particularly Pb, accumulated preferentially in the upper parts, probably due to the morphology of U. aurantiacoatra. Therefore, the vertical distribution of heavy metals in fruticose lichens should be considered to enhance data quality in biomonitoring studies.