Distribution of radioactive Cs and trace elements in the lichen-substrate system and in the lichen body

Abstract

The distribution of radioactive Cs and heavy metals (V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Hg, and Pb) in the lichen-substrate system and in lichen tissues were examined using the example of Cladonia genera. The upper podetia-lower podetia-dead podetia-base-substrate system was sampled at 32 sites in Novosibirsk oblast and Altai administrative territory, 16 of which were selected for detailed studying of the trace element distribution in the upper and lower podetia using cold press and the modified Dexter technique. One in vivo and two in vitro experiments simulated the influence of metal-rich atmospheric fallouts on the lichen carpet. The lichen carpet was irrigated by solution of metal nitrates (Co, Cu, Zn, Cd, Hg, and Pb) in the former case and loaded in these solution during the latter experiment. The experiment performed in the laboratory conditions (in vitro) was aimed at studying the dynamics of metal accumulation in lichen constituents and their subsequent extraction with distilled water to monitor metal sorption on the podetium cell walls. The metal contents and the activity of radioactive Cs in the lichen samples, including lichen cell sap, as well as in the base and substrate, were determined by atomic-absorption and gamma spectroscopic methods. In terms of accumulation, the elements are subdivided into two groups. The lowest contents of Group-1 elements (137 Cs, Zn, Cd, Hg, and Pb) were found in the substrate, and the highest contents, detected at the base and dead podetium, are presumably of technogenic origin. The Group-2 elements (Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, and Cu) enrich the substrate. It was established that the elements are mainly accumulated in lichens in cell walls and the membrane. The lichen sap and water-soluble compounds of protoplasma contain less than 0.1% of the total element content in the tissue. Most Zn, Cd, Co, and Pb ions (about 80% of the total absorbed amount) migrated from experimental solution into lichen cells during the first 12 h.