Abstract
The interpretation of lichen bioaccumulation data is of paramount importance in environmental forensics and decision-making processes. By implementing basic ideas underlying previous interpretative scales, new dimensionless, species-independent “bioaccumulation scales” for native and transplanted lichens are proposed. Methodologically consistent element concentration datasets were populated with data from biomonitoring studies relying on native and transplanted lichens. The scale for native lichens was built up by analyzing the distribution of ratios between element concentration data and species-specific background concentration references (B ratios), herein provided for Flavoparmelia caperata and Xanthoria parietina (foliose lichens). The scale for transplants was built up by analyzing the distribution of ratios between element concentration in exposed and unexposed samples (EU ratio) of Evernia prunastri and Pseudevernia furfuracea (fruticose lichens). Both scales consist of five percentile-based classes; namely, “Absence of”, “Low”, “Moderate”, “High”, and “Severe” bioaccumulation. A comparative analysis of extant interpretative tools showed that previous ones for native lichens suffered from the obsolescence of source data, whereas the previous expert-assessed scale for transplants failed in describing noticeable element concentration variations. The new scales, based on the concept that pollution can be quantified by dimensionless ratios between experimental and benchmark values, overcome most critical points affecting the previous scales.
Highlights
Air quality standards are fundamental references in environmental policy
Element concentration data referred to 42 elements measured in samples of five lichen species collected in 18 administrative Italian regions
After the methodological and temporal data filtering, the dataset N included 3773 records for 11 elements of environmental concern analyzed in the context of 11 studies
Summary
Air quality standards are fundamental references in environmental policy. These standards are mostly set up from data on atmospheric pollutant concentrations obtained by continuous measurements within fully- or semi-automatic apparatus [1]. A fortiori, this is true for trace element pollution In this respect, the extensive use of lichens as effective bioaccumulators has provided valuable data through the years [4]. A crucial point with potential outcomes for decision making and environmental forensics is the appropriate interpretation of biomonitoring results [5]. This issue has been extensively addressed in the context of human biomonitoring and chemical risk assessment (e.g., [6,7]), but it has been faced in the field of biomonitoring by mosses and lichens. In this case, interpretative tools were purposely developed for bioaccumulation data from both native and transplanted lichens
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
